Re: Mother tongue.
Valid point.
What are your thoughts on providing them the gift and then letting them decide whether or not they want to pass it on to their own kids? At least you will have enriched them as much as you could have.
I grew up in Canada. I was taught to speak, read and write urdu at home by Ammi. I didn’t enjoy the lessons when they were being administered…heck no! I would much rather have been outside playing with the other kids. Am I glad that she did what she did? Heck yes! If she had not, there are so many treasures that would have been alien to me…meant nothing to me. Because my parents were staunch and forced me to learn the language, I enjoy so many things that I otherwise could not have.
Furthermore…as GK said, language carries with it the culture…tehzeeb and tameez. Granted that you could suggest learning this from Islam but if you look carefully enough you will find little indicators that hint at a person’s heritage, even in the language. In my opinion a person that does not/cannot respect and revere his/her heritage is a lost soul who’s existence on this plane will expire like a sparkler; quickly.