Madonna’s adopted daughter Mercy James, 4

Madonna’s adopted daughter Mercy James, 4, has lost her native language in four months since leaving Malawi.

The tiny girl accompanied her megastar mother back to her country to open a girls school that was funded by Madonna. The singer was seen at the school in television footage wearing a dark print sari-style wrap over black garments and a ponytail.

The singer took all four of her children with her for the groundbreaking ceremony and the family went on a visit to the Mchinji orphanage.

Her other child adopted from Malawi, David Banda, 3, was said to know some of his Chichewa tongue, according to Lucy Chipeta of the orphanage where he lived until 2007.

Chipeta said: “David had forgotten us. He remembers a few words. Mercy is a real white girl. She couldn’t speak any.”

She added: “I am happy to see David look so happy. Madonna’s a very good mother. Her children are well-behaved. I think she’s more Malawian than American.”