language is a way of speaking,writing e.t.c. Usually connected with some group of people.in Nigeria,we have different languages (Igbo,Hausa,Yoruba,e.t.c).why are they called mother tongue instead of father tongue unlike father land.

wikki042: language is a way of speaking,writing e.t.c. Usually connected with some group of people.in Nigeria,we have different languages (Igbo,Hausa,Yoruba,e.t.c).why are they called mother tongue instead of father tongue unlike father land.

The reason its called mother tongue is because the passing down of customs, tradition and language of a people is majorly the duty of the mother and less of the father. Because from infancy till adolescence, children spend more time with their mothers, mothers are more in the position to transfer the language and customs down. Once a baby is born, it stays with the mother. The first words it hears and picks up are from the mother. This is where the essence of 'mother tongue' comes into play. And even for most part of growing up you hear the native language more often from the mother than the father. The father spends most of his time outside fending for the family and is less likely to be in the position to transfer the language.

Also take the example of homes with educated parents (by educated parents I mean with masters or PhD), you'll discover that most times the mother is more likely to speak the native language more to the children than the father, who will prefer to speak English instead. Even though the children will reply in English, that constant exposure and hearing of the native language forms their basic understanding of the language that enables them to speak it the more they grow.

your mother knows your father, the father might not be sure