MALWINA GUDOWSKA
Author and Linguist
MOTHER TONGUE TIED
On Language, Motherhood & Multilingualism - Disrupting Myths & Finding Meaning
MOTHER TONGUE TIED is out now with Footnote Press.
It is estimated that more than half of the world's population communicates in more than one language and over a third of the population in the United Kingdom is multilingual. And yet life in multiple languages is rarely discussed publicly, myths and misconceptions prevail and the pressure to keep heritage languages alive has become a private conflict for millions. Linguistic diversity is more prevalent than ever, but so is linguistic inequality.
MOTHER TONGUE TIED sheds light on the ways in which we navigate language, its power to shape and reshape lives, and the ripple effects felt far beyond any one home or any one language. It takes one generation for a family language to be lost. One generation - like mother to child. Mother Tongue Tied explores the emotional weight of raising multilingual children while grappling with your own identity and notions of home. At what cost does a mother save a language or does she let it slip away and, with it, a part of herself her children may never know.​
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"A thoughtful, brilliant and necessary immersion into the worlds we pass along with language. Let me say this one in Spanish: maravilloso"
― Jazmina Barrera, author of Linea Nigra
"Edifying and enlivening"
― Kate Baer, 3x New York Times bestselling author of And Yet and
What Kind of Woman
"A thought-provoking, political and empathetic book"
― Eliane Glaser, author of Motherhood: A Manifesto
"Gudowska writes with eloquence and tenderness from within the daily, sometimes heroic, often dishevelled realities of multilingual mothering"
― Julie Sedivy, author of Memory Speaks: On Losing and Reclaiming Language and Self
"Gudowska has written the collection of research and story that she wishes had been by her side the whole time. Mothers with similar struggles will find validation and reassurance here."
― Gretchen McCulloch, New York Times bestselling author of Because Internet
Malwina Gudowska is the author of Mother Tongue Tied: On Language, Motherhood & Multilingualism – Disrupting Myths & Finding Meaning (Footnote Press 2024). A National Magazine Award winner, her writing has appeared in Vogue, Financial Times, Literary Hub, ELLE, The Globe and Mail and in several anthologies. Her article on raising multilingual children won a National Magazine Award and was included in “The Best Canadian Magazine Articles” anthology.
Gudowska has a MA in Linguistics from UCL and is a PhD researcher in applied linguistics with a focus on multilingualism, emotions and motherhood. She resides in London, UK with her family and is represented by Peters Fraser and Dunlop (PFD) Literary Agents.
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Named a Best Parenting Substack 2024:
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“Motherlingual is a fascinating exploration of the intersection of language, mothering and multilingualism from an award-winning writer, linguist and soon-to-be author.”
- Motherly
Writing
 MOTHER TONGUEIn A Manner Of Speaking |  LIT HUB - ON TRANSLATIONOn Jazmina Barrera’s Linea Nigra and the Untranslatable Experiences of Motherhood |  THE GLOBE AND MAILA Mother’s Tongue: The complexity of raising multilingual children |
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 FINANCIAL TIMESBoth Sides Now |  VOGUEEnough With the Breastfeeding Glamour Shots on Instagram |  AVENUEFeist: Singular Style |
 CALGARY HERALDThe Space Between Us |  MOVIE ENTERTAINMENTThe Bowie Effect |  CALGARY HERALDTry Lingual |
 ELLEDrawn To The Rhythm |  CALGARY HERALDThe Soundtrack Of Your Life |  VOGUEJustin Townes Earle |
 CALGARY HERALDThe New Thirty Somethings |  THE GLOBE AND MAILWhen we can't make sense of the world, we turn to language |  FASHIONCheck Please |
 CALGARY HERALDBlowing Smoke |  ALBERTA VIEWSDelisted |  CALGARY HERALDCaught Between Cultures |
 FLAREBlurred Vision |  CALGARY HERALDA Women's Place Is at the Altar |
Speaking
Gudowska often speaks at conferences and events and leads seminars on supporting multilingual families and raising bilingual children.
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Some of the topics Gudowska has covered include:
Multilingual Mothering: Exploring the emotional and practical aspects of raising children in multiple languages.
The Power of Multilingualism: Discussing the benefits of using multiple languages and the importance of preserving heritage languages.
Language and Identity: How language shapes who we are and how we connect with others in and through language.
Countering Accent Discrimination: Challenging discriminatory notions around accents and promoting linguistic diversity and accuracy.
If you are interested in having Gudowska speak at your event or lead a seminar or workshop, please click here to learn more and submit a request.
Consulting
With a background in both theoretical and applied linguistics, Malwina consults on a variety of language and linguistics projects. She offers consultations on family language planning with parents and families to help them understand their role in their children's bilingual development. She also offers workshops for organizations that want to help staff understand bilingualism and bilingual parenting.
One of her greatest passions and life goals is to continue to dispel the many prevalent and longstanding misconceptions around bilingualism. No, bilingualism does not cause speech delays! If you are interested in finding out more or booking an initial consultation please contact Malwina below.