Saba Hameed’s powerful advice to parents on preserving mother tongue

Veteran Pakistani actress Saba Hameed has shared important parenting advice, encouraging families to teach children their native language as a core part of identity and upbringing.

Saba Hameed, who began her acting career in the 1980s and remains one of Pakistan’s most respected performers, spoke about the importance of cultural and linguistic roots during a recent television appearance.

She said parents should ensure that children learn and speak their mother tongue at home. According to her, languages such as Punjabi, Pashto, Balochi, and others should be preserved and actively used in daily life, rather than being replaced completely by other languages.

She explained that growing up in a household where Punjabi was spoken helped her develop fluency in the language, even though her father was a professional journalist. She added that this early exposure played an important role in shaping her communication skills and cultural understanding.

Saba Hameed also noted that learning multiple languages can enhance mental development and broaden thinking abilities. She stressed that children benefit when they grow up bilingual or multilingual, as it improves cognitive flexibility and confidence.

The actress shared that her own children are fluent in Punjabi, reflecting the importance she places on passing down linguistic heritage within families.

Saba Hameed concluded that parents should not neglect their native languages, as they form a vital link to culture, identity, and generational connection.

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