This reflection examines the relationship between birth and language within the context of nationhood and nationality. The author critiques the traditional understanding of a nation as a community of a single language, noting that in a modern world with significant minorities, the term 'nationality' is increasingly preferred. The text focuses on the process by which an individual acquires their 'native' language. A child is born into a specific linguistic environment without the possibility of initial choice, a situation that becomes even more complex in bilingual households. The author emphasizes that the term 'mother tongue' is not necessarily linked to the biological mother but rather to the primary caregiver, whether it be the father, a relative, or even a stranger. Consequently, linguistic competence does not stem directly from biological origin or the genetic makeup of the parents, but from the social environment in which the child is raised and develops their identity through communication and interactions with those closest to them.