Meaning of birthtongue | Babel Free

Definitions

One's first language, learnt in early childhood; native language.

rare

Examples

“In replying timidly, Anita revealed her foreign accent, which was instantly observed. “You are American, of course? No? English? Ah, how stupid I am!" Forthwith he began to talk⟳ fluently in German, though Anita saw⟳ it was not his birthtongue.”

“And now I place⟳ them, palms up, wrong five-legged beasts with their underbellies exposed, on the desk for you who have⟳ told me, in your own⟳ broken wedding of English and your birthtongue, […]”

“"No problem. Neo-Gaesh, and that's Orlen's birthtongue."”

“Faan talked constantly to herself and to anyone who'd listen⟳, mixing the Fadogur she was learning with her birthtongue in a hash of sound⟳ that gradually grew more comprehensible.”

“Other forms of cultural non-homogeneity (birthtongue or ethnic identity, for example) have⟳, in the generally supportive nature of the group process⟳, tended to become⟳ not only not a problem, […]”

“When this warning failed to cure the boys of recklessness, he made them recite the first apothegm of Tholjassan battle-dance at the start⟳ of every lesson — not just in Arquali, but also in their individual birthtongues: […]”

CEFR level