Can you forget your native language? It’s possible, but it’s not easy. If you learn a second language later in life, it’s possible that you’ll forget your first language. However, if you’re raised bilingual (or multilingual), it’s less likely that you’ll lose any of your languages.
Some people say that it is possible to forget your native language if you do not use it regularly. Others say that even if you learn a second language, you will never forget your first language completely.
So, what is the truth? Let’s find out!
Can You Forget Your Native Language?
There’s a lot of debate on this topic. Can you forget your native language if you don’t use it often? Some say yes, it’s possible while other say no.
Some people also believe that it depends on the individual – some individuals might be able to forget their native language more easily than others.
If you stop speaking your native language for a long period of time, you will probably forget some words and grammar rules.
However, you will probably still be able to understand your native language when you hear it spoken.
The reason is, once you have learned your native language, it will always be a part of you. Even if you don’t use it regularly, it will still be there, waiting for you to used it again.
It is also true that your native language is like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it becomes.
If you regularly speak and write in your native language, you will keep your skills sharp. As a result, there will be less chances to forget important words and grammar rules.
Finally, it is also true that once you have learned a second language, your brain changes, and you can never forget your first language completely.
So, there is no one answer to the question, “Can you forget your native language?” It depends on many factors, including how often you use your native language and whether or not you have learned a second language.
You Can Forget Your Native Language – Supporting Factors:
There are a few reasons why you might forget your native language.
1. You Don’t Use Your Native Language For Thinking:
The first and main reason is if you don’t think in your native language, you will forget it. It’s really that simple. If you want to keep your language skills sharp, you have to use the language regularly for thinking.
For example, when solving a problem or trying to remember something, think in the language you want to remember.
2. You Don’t Use It In Your Daily Life:
If you don’t use your native language in your daily life, you might forget it. This is because you need to use a language regularly in order to keep your skills sharp.
There are many reasons why someone might not use their native language regularly, such as working in a different country or not having any opportunity to practice it.
3. You Live In A Place Where You Don’t Hear The Language:
Many people live away from their homeland for different reasons. In such case, they usually speak and hear the language of the particular country.
So, if you live in a place where you don’t hear your native language spoken, you might forget it. This is because you need to be exposed to a language regularly in order to keep your skills sharp.
4. Your First Language Is Not Your Native Language:
If your first language is not your native language, you might forget your native language. This is because you might not use your native language for speaking at home.
If you only speak your native language occasionally, you might not be able to remember all the vocabulary or grammar rules.
5. You Don’t Have Any Emotional Ties To The Language:
Another reason you might forget your native language is if you don’t have any emotional ties to it. If the language doesn’t hold any sentimental value for you, you might not feel as inclined to keep it up.
This is often the case for second-generation immigrants who didn’t grow up speaking the language at home. They might not feel as connected to the language as their parents or grandparents do.
6. Your Brain Is Not Hardwired For Your Native Language:
You might forget your native language if your brain is not hardwired for it. This means that you might not have the ability to store information about your native language in long-term memory.
This can be the case for people who have a learning disability or people who have suffered from brain damage.
7. Language Phonetics Change:
The chances of forgetting your native language increase if the phonetics of the language change. This can happen over time as a result of changes in how people speak the language.
For example, words might be pronounced differently, or new words might be added to the language. This can make it difficult for people to understand and use their native language.
8. Age Factor:
The final reason you might forget your native language is if you get older. This is because as you age, your memory starts to decline.
This can make it difficult for people to remember the details of their native language.
You Cannot Forget Your Native Language – Supporting Factors:
There is a strong opinion that you can’t forget your native language. Even if you don’t use it for years, you’ll still be able to understand and speak it fluently.
This is because your native language is ingrained in your brain – it’s a part of your identity.
So even if you don’t actively use it, your native language will still be a part of you. Let’s have a look at some factors that make it possible!
1. You’ve Developed Language Skills In The Childhood:
The first and the most important reason you cannot forget your native language is that you develop language skills in childhood.
The brain is like a sponge in childhood, and it can absorb any type of information easily. This is the time when you develop a strong foundation for your native language.
2. It Is Stored In Long-Term Memory:
Another reason you cannot forget your native language is that it is stored in long-term memory.
This means that the information about your native language is stored in a part of the brain that is not affected by age or disease. Therefore you cannot forget your native language.
3. You Can Always Relearn It:
The last reason you cannot forget your native language is that you can always relearn it. Even if you forget some of the details of your native language, you can always go back and learn it again.
This is because the brain never forgets how to learn a language.
How To Avoid Forgetting Your Native Language?
Below are some ways to stay attached to your native Language:
1. Read In The Native Language:
The best way to keep your native language alive is to read books, magazines, or newspapers in your first language on a regular basis.
You can also watch movies, listen to music, or even take classes in your first language to keep your skills sharp.
2. Speak The Native Language Regularly:
If you want to remember your native language, you need to use it regularly. The best way to do this is to find opportunities to speak the language as often as possible.
You can join a language club, take classes, or find a tutor to help you practice. You can also look for online communities where you can chat with native speakers.
3. Write In The First Language:
Another way to keep your native language alive is to write in it regularly. You can start a blog, write articles, or even keep a diary in your first language.
This will help you to practice your writing skills and to keep the language alive in your memory.
4. Listen To Native Speakers:
Listening to native speakers is another great way to keep your native language alive. You can listen to podcasts, watch movies, or listen to music in your native language.
This will help you to pick up on the nuances of the language and to understand how it is used in everyday life.
5. Live In A Country Where Your Native Language Is Spoken:
Finally, another way to remember your native language is to live in a country where people speak it. This will allow you to immerse yourself in the language and culture.
You will encounter the language on a daily basis, and you will quickly pick up on the nuances of the language.
If you don’t have the opportunity to live in a country where people speak your native language, you can also travel to one for a short period of time.
These are just some of the ways you can remember your native language.
Sum-Up:
One common argument against forgetting your native language is that it is so deeply ingrained in your identity that it would be impossible to ever forget.
However, there are plenty of examples of people who have moved to a new country and started speaking a new language fluently, without any trace of their former native tongue.
It is possible that, over time, the native language could become less and less important to these individuals and eventually they can forget.
Of course, there are also many people who believe that you can never forget your native language, no matter how long you go without speaking it.
They argue that the language is such an integral part of who you are that it would be impossible to ever completely lose it.
To sum up the discussion, it all depends on individual capabilities, priorities, and approaches to remembering their native language.
- What Language Do They Speak In The Philippines? Explore! - March 20, 2024
- What Language Do They Speak In Nepal? - March 20, 2024
- What Language Do They Speak In Poland? Explore More - March 19, 2024