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Mother Tongue Tied: On Language, Motherhood & Multilingualism – Disrupting Myths & Finding Meaning
'Brilliantly illustrates how multilingual mothers are disproportionately tasked with preserving linguistic heritage on one hand and preparing children for public society on the other - all while finding a language for their own new maternal identity' Eliane Glaser, author of A Manifesto
It is estimated that more than half of the world's population communicates in more than one language and over a third of the population in the United Kingdom is multilingual. And yet life in multiple languages is rarely discussed publicly, myths and misconceptions prevail and the pressure to keep heritage languages alive has become a private conflict for millions. Linguistic diversity is more prevalent than ever, but so is linguistic inequality.
Linguist Malwina Gudowska, herself trilingual, sheds light on the ways in which we navigate language, its power to shape and reshape lives, and the ripple effects felt far beyond any one home or any one language. It takes one generation for a family language to be lost. One generation - like mother to child. Mother Tongue Tied explores the emotional weight of raising multilingual children while grappling with your own identity and notions of home. At what cost does a mother save a language? Or does she let it slip away and, with it, a part of herself her children may never know.
It is estimated that more than half of the world's population communicates in more than one language and over a third of the population in the United Kingdom is multilingual. And yet life in multiple languages is rarely discussed publicly, myths and misconceptions prevail and the pressure to keep heritage languages alive has become a private conflict for millions. Linguistic diversity is more prevalent than ever, but so is linguistic inequality.
Linguist Malwina Gudowska, herself trilingual, sheds light on the ways in which we navigate language, its power to shape and reshape lives, and the ripple effects felt far beyond any one home or any one language. It takes one generation for a family language to be lost. One generation - like mother to child. Mother Tongue Tied explores the emotional weight of raising multilingual children while grappling with your own identity and notions of home. At what cost does a mother save a language? Or does she let it slip away and, with it, a part of herself her children may never know.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published June 20, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 9, 2025
I try my best to not read about linguistics outside of work anymore, but this time I was just too tempted. This book is such an exemplary case of solid, thoughtfully constructed science communication to non-academic audiences. Lots of classic linguistic theory, latest research and heartfelt stories from personal life. So impressive!!
1. 'And yet it is the only way I know how to share this story and the stories of so many others who are trying not to lose a language, or to gain one back: an interruption of a flow that will idyllically, in one way or another, continue to flow.'
2. 'What do we hope to gain when we correct someone's pronunciation or grammar? This question is especially poignant if the language user or speaker has been understood and communication has been achieved.'
3. 'Embodied communicative practice is not in any way separate from linguistic communicative practice.
They are integral to each other to the extent that they are one and the same.'
1. 'And yet it is the only way I know how to share this story and the stories of so many others who are trying not to lose a language, or to gain one back: an interruption of a flow that will idyllically, in one way or another, continue to flow.'
2. 'What do we hope to gain when we correct someone's pronunciation or grammar? This question is especially poignant if the language user or speaker has been understood and communication has been achieved.'
3. 'Embodied communicative practice is not in any way separate from linguistic communicative practice.
They are integral to each other to the extent that they are one and the same.'
July 20, 2024
Mother Tongue Tied: On Language, Motherhood & Multilingualism – Disrupting Myths & Finding Meaning by Malwina Gudowska is a heartfelt and essential read for parents raising bilingual children. As a parent raising bilingual children, this book deeply resonated with me, offering both comfort and practical guidance.
Reading Mother Tongue Tied: On Language, Motherhood & Multilingualism – Disrupting Myths & Finding Meaning solidified and convinced me that I am doing the right thing by raising bilingual children. Gudowska’s insights and strategies have reinforced my belief in the importance of multilingualism and have given me the confidence to continue this journey with my family.
It's a must-read for parents raising bilingual children.
Reading Mother Tongue Tied: On Language, Motherhood & Multilingualism – Disrupting Myths & Finding Meaning solidified and convinced me that I am doing the right thing by raising bilingual children. Gudowska’s insights and strategies have reinforced my belief in the importance of multilingualism and have given me the confidence to continue this journey with my family.
It's a must-read for parents raising bilingual children.
July 1, 2024
This is a wonderful book about multilingualism and especially how a language is passed from one generation to another. I love learning about this topic and Malwina Gudowska's book was particularly special as she was born in Poland and is teaching her two children to speak Polish while her and her partner speak English and live in London (having moved from Canada). This book is brilliantly researched, so insightful and the examples from Gudowska's life were quite relatable as although Polish is my first language, my mother tongue, English is my dominant one that I use all the time and everywhere - so much so when I speak Polish I now speak it with an accent and I feel more 'me' when I speak English. Anyway, a great, funny and wise book. I wish it was longer!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews