The 3 superpowers of language

At Tribal Tongue, we always say: language is more than words. It’s memory, music, and connection rolled into one. It carries traditions, values, and identity across generations. Language has three superpowers that make it one of the most powerful tools our kids can inherit. And that’s why we are on a mission to help diaspora kids learn their African language.

Here’s what we mean:

1. Communication – words that connect us

The most obvious role of language is to help us talk to one another. But for kids learning Twi, Igbo, or Yoruba, communication is deeper than just “talking.” It’s about being able to greet Grandma properly when you land back home. It’s about not feeling like a stranger when cousins are joking in the kitchen. Every “ɛte sɛn” or “báwo ni” is a bridge, pulling us closer to our people and our roots. 

As Nelson Mandela famously said, "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart." There’s no better way to connect with your family, tribe, people than to speak in their tongue. 

2. Artistic – the beauty of sound

A picture might paint a thousand words but words can paint the most beautiful picture. Language isn’t just practical; it’s art. Where would artistic creation be without language? Would Afrobeats move you without Pidgin English or Yoruba tones? Would the latest Nollywood movie grip you if the dialogue sounded like Bridgerton (maybe that would bang actually 🤣).

Language is vital for the stories we tell each other, the movies we watch, the music we listen to, and the poetry that stirs us. It’s the magic ingredient for making sense of the world around us.   

3. Memorable – the living library

Every culture stores its memory in its language. Proverbs, stories, names of foods, names of ancestors — all of it sits inside the words we pass down. When kids learn their African language, they’re not just learning to say “goat” or “tree” — they’re inheriting centuries of history, jokes, and wisdom. 

The tallest tree in the forest does not stand tall without sizeable roots stretching deep down into the earth. For African kids in the diaspora that might struggle with their identity or where they fit in, learning their mother tongue plugs them into deep roots that can help them stand tall and confident today.

Why it matters

When we equip our kids with their mother tongue, we’re not just giving them vocabulary. We’re handing them three priceless gifts: the ability to connect, the beauty of expression, and the memory of who they are.

Help your kids learn Twi, Igbo or Yoruba the fun way with the Tribal Tongue Talking Flashcards! 

If you like this, read 5 reasons why kids learn faster with talking flashcards.