first language

USAGE SUMMARY

"first language" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate the language a person initially learns as a child, such as the language of their parents or the language of their native country. Example: English is my first language, but I'm also proficient in French.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My first language is Xhosa.

The New York Times

Her first language was Dutch.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That's my first language.

The New York Times

This Pope's first language is Spanish.

The New Yorker

"Their first language is Spanish," he said.

The New York Times

And English is not his first language.

The New York Times

The family's first language was Yiddish.

The New York Times - Health

They speak Mandarin as a first language.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His first language is Welsh.

The Guardian - Business

His first language was Yiddish.

The Guardian - Sport

French was my first language.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing multilingual individuals, clearly specify which language is their "first language" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a person's "first language" is necessarily the language they are most fluent in. A person might be more proficient in a language they learned later due to education or environment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "first language" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and labels the initial language acquired by an individual. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "first language" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to denote the language a person learns from birth. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common term used across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While often interchangeable with terms like "native language" or "mother tongue", it's crucial to remember that fluency isn't always tied to one's "first language", as proficiency can shift with education and environment. When discussing someone's linguistic background, specifying their "first language" adds clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

native language

Direct synonym for "first language", emphasizing the language one is born into.

first learned language

Explicitly states that it is the language learned initially.

native tongue

Replaces "first language" with a more poetic and traditional term, emphasizing the innate connection to the language.

mother tongue

Similar to "native tongue", this term highlights the language one learns from their mother or primary caregiver.

maternal language

Highlights the influence of the mother in language acquisition, similar to "mother tongue".

primary language

Focuses on the language someone uses most frequently and is most comfortable with.

childhood language

Highlights the language learned during the early years of life.

language of origin

Emphasizes the language from one's cultural or ethnic background.

language one grew up with

Describes the language environment during childhood development.

strongest language

Focuses on proficiency and comfort level with a particular language.

FAQs

What's the difference between "first language" and "second language"?

"First language" refers to the language a person learns from birth or as a young child, while "second language" refers to a language learned later in life.

What are some other terms for "first language"?

Synonyms for "first language" include "native language", "mother tongue", and "primary language".

How do you determine a person's "first language"?

A person's "first language" is typically determined by the language they were initially exposed to and learned during childhood, often the language spoken at home.

Is it possible to have more than one "first language"?

Yes, it's possible to be bilingual or multilingual from a young age, effectively having multiple "first languages".