Odd question... but what exactly is my native language?

Question

This sounds odd, but I just discovered that I might be suffering from an identity crisis... because I don't know what my first language is. I've been told to take a TOEFL test, even though I speak English as a first language. I'm a budding novelist of the English language as well. It strikes me odd - even insulting - to have to take a TOEFL test. I may not be White, but that doesn't give people the right to assume that 'I hava to talka in englisch lika dis'.

I was born in Singapore, but I was raised in Sydney. However, I currently do not possess an Australian citizenship (I've a lot of good reasons for that, but that's besides the point). My Singaporean parents taught me English and spoke in English (albeit not so good) since I was a toddler; nevertheless, I had been raised in an English speaking environment. I learnt Chinese shortly after 7 years old - attended classes in Mandarin Chinese for about 5 years. From time to time, I'd return to Singapore. I had even taken classes in Singapore for a few years too (but no, I can't speak Singlish to save my life).

To have to take a test in English as a FOREIGN language is really insulting. I don't think my Singaporean passport by birth says much about my English language ability. It's merely a piece of document; yet, I find it strange that it could dictate a huge part of my life, and especially, my identity. I can't speak Mandarin Chinese without stuttering or sounding like a fool; I can't read Mandarin Chinese well; I can't write well in Mandarin Chinese either. So, is Mandarin Chinese or Singlish (is that even a real language) my first language (even though I can't speak them well)? It's FASCINATING how a piece of document could undermine your language ability.

I'm writing a novel in English (I can't write in Singlish or Mandarin Chinese). I think in English. But what exactly is my native tongue? This question really does my head in! If anything, I'll take the iGCSE first language English (as a private candidate), just to prove a damn point!

Answer 1

Native tongue is the language you were born into.

It doesnt matter if you can speak english better or worse or just aswell as someone born into the english language. It only matters in what tounge you said papa with.

You seem to be highly lingual, which is rare. Dont take so much offense on something so simple.

Answer 2

according to some sociologists, identity is nothing more than a human construction, it doesn't really matter in the end because we all are, in fact, human.

although, others suggest that your real Cultural identity is down to your own sense of identity, if you feel english, then you are english, therefore your native tongue would be english, the same goes for your ancestral heritage, if you feel singaporean, then you are singaporean and so forth.



remember race and identity are nothing more than human constructions.



i hope this helps, just a little.

Answer 3

ur passport from Singapore ....... Singapore is non-English spoken country

u have nothing to lose ..take the test and prove them wrong .

dont be silly its not insult !

about ur identity ur Singaporean :) unless u have other citizenship .

Answer 4

the native language of someone is the language they were taught as a kid with its respective accent it may not be the native language of your parents or family but its your native language