According to the three language formula, what should be the first language?

According to the three language formula, what should be the first language? Correct Answer Regional language/Mother tongue

India is a country of many languages. Constitutionally, India has 18 languages. Therefore, one needs to know more than one language if he/she wants to interact with people from different parts of the country. If one knows only his/her mother tongue he/she will only be able to communicate with people within one’s own state. This means one is completely isolating oneself from other regions/states and other languages. A student who has learnt only his/her mother tongue can not acquire knowledge regarding the other regions and languages unless it is translated into his/her own language.

Key PointsThe Government of India has adopted a formula known as the Three Language Formula.  According to this formula, every child has to learn the following: 

  • First Language: The mother tongue or the regional language;
  • Second Language: The official language of the union or the associate official language of the Union so long as it exists (the official language of the union is Hindi and its associate official language is English); 
  • Third Language: Modern Indian language or a foreign language, not covered under (1) & (2) above and other than that used as the medium of instruction.

​The primary aim of the Three Language Formula is to promote multilingualism and national harmony.

Thus, it can be concluded that according to the three-language formula,  the first language should be the mother tongue or the regional language.

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