Notes on the Concept of Mother Tongue

We have words and expressions about which most of us believe that we know and understand their exact meaning. I think these include the expression of mother tongue or native language. In the following paper I would like to show that (1) this expression is interpreted in many different ways and used in many different meanings by Hungarians, (2) there are significant differences between Hungarians living in Hungary and those living in neighbouring countries in this respect too, and (3) in case the concept (the notion) of this expression is unclarified, serious linguistic rights violations arise—in Hungary just as in the surrounding countries.