Mother tongue
A Poem by Tumanbay Moldagaliyev
Tumanbay Moldagaliyev/Qalam
Due to its educational aspirations, Qalam strives to explain the world - hence, every historical or cultural phenomenon considered here is accompanied by a wealth of additional information. However, in this section, we have decided to do without unnecessary words and familiar comments. Before you are fragments of verses collected from different eras and parts of the world, which seem to speak for themselves and are notably beautiful to us. As one modern lyricist expressed on a similar occasion, if it's without explanations; it's probably to do with something in one's blood.
My child, today you have learnt
one word in my mother tongue.
And since you were born a Kazakh,
it is important you die a Kazakh.
As an intelligent person, you will learn
many languages. You must not forget
your own country wherever you are,
and raise high your national flag.
I’m proud that I understood my mother,
that I learned the language and its songs.
Those who do not respect their mothers
have little respect for their homeland.
My son, listen to my words.When you burn,
you yourself will burn as fire. Understand
my language which is yours and take
my Kazakh heart. The rest is up to you
Tumanbay Moldagaliyev (1935–2011) was a Kazakh poet best known for his love poems, writing more than forty books in his lifetime. He was named People's Writer of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 1996.
