native language
The term "native language" refers to the language a person learns from birth or early childhood, often deeply tied to their identity and cultural heritage.
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Definition
B2General
The language a person learns from birth or early childhood through natural exposure.
Example
- She speaks English as her native language.
C1Cultural
The language associated with a person's ethnic group or cultural heritage.
Example
- Although he speaks French fluently, his native language is Spanish.
B2Competence
The language in which a person has the greatest proficiency and comfort.
Example
- Her native language gives her a strong command of idiomatic expressions.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "native language":
first languagemother tongueforeign languageheritage languagetarget languageworking languagestandard languagelanguage learningprivate languagecommunity languagesource languagenative support