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Language of freedom: Preserving Indian mother tongues in America
New India Abroad spoke to second and third generation Indian Americans to learn about their relationship with their mother tongues. Here’s what they had to say.
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Pallavi Mehra - Fri, 15, Aug 2025
- 02:05 EDT
- 16
Despite the challenges, the desire to preserve Indian mother tongues is strong, resulting in numerous dedicated efforts. / Pallavi Mehra
For thousands of Indian Americans, language is more than just a means of communication; it's a living connection to their culture and ancestry. For the second and third generations, born and raised in the United States, the journey to connect with their Indian mother tongue is often a deeply personal and significant one. Here, we explore the challenges and successes of preserving Indian languages across generations, from community initiatives to inventive online efforts.
The Fading Echo: Hurdles of Preservation
The path to passing on the mother tongue to the Indian diaspora youth is never straightforward. Growing up in the United States, where the English language prevails, the daily necessity and opportunity to speak a mother tongue often diminish. Many second and third-generation Indian Americans recall childhoods where their parents and grandparents spoke to them in their Indian mother tongue, only to receive responses in English.
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