Lost Generation

I've vowed to myself a few months back that I would learn up my mother-tongue and know it well by the end of this year.

I am nowhere near 50% of achieving this goal.

I belong to the dying generation of where one cannot converse in a decent enough conversation in his/her own mother-tongue. Who is it to blame? The parents? The children? The society? Or all three?

I have this secret plan.. if I ever have children of my own (and assuming that I still haven't mastered the language by then).. I will throw them into the 'kampung' and after a year, I will get them back and ask, "Have you learned how to speak the language?" If yes, then they may stay home and never return to the 'kampung'. Ever again. If no, I shall put them through another year of agonizing "proper language education" (the authentic-total-exposure way, I'd say).
*snickering away*

I am fortunate enough that this never crossed my parents' mind.