International Mother Language Day News
International Mother Language Day is an annual global event observed on February 21st to promote linguistic and cultural diversity. It was first declared by UNESCO in 1999 after its 30th General Conference in November.
Today we honor those who gave their lives for their mother language, serving as a reminder that many languages are endangered around the world.
UNESCO
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a United Nations agency that works to enhance the quality of education in developing countries. Initially, it rebuilt schools, libraries and museums destroyed during World War II; but since then its focus has been on advocating for free educational access worldwide.
International Mother Language Day, celebrated annually on February 21, is a commemoration of language diversity and variety. It was inspired by Bangladesh where people honor the death of four students on February 21st, 1952 during their fight to have Bengali recognized as one of Pakistan’s two official national languages (West Pakistan and East Pakistan).
On this day, UNESCO and other UN agencies raise awareness about linguistic and cultural diversity. They also urge people to preserve their mother tongue knowledge as well as learn other languages.
Bangladesh
International Mother Language Day is an annual commemoration of linguistic and cultural diversity, established by UNESCO in 2000.
Bangladesh is largely Bengali-speaking, though many people speak English as a second or third language.
The Bangla language is an Indo-Arabic dialect with strong influences from the Arab world. Common words include “tebil” (table), “tarikh” (date), and “kolom”(pen).
English has also had a profound effect on Bengali language vocabulary, contributing words such as “television,” “telephone,” and “radio” that would otherwise never have entered into conversation unless for its influence from English.
On International Mother Language Day, Bangladeshis commemorate their nation’s martyrs by placing flowers at the Shaheed Minar (martyrs’ monument). Additionally, they join Bhasha Dibas events and pay homage to those who sacrificed for their right to speak their native tongue.
India
India is a vast nation, home to over 1,028 million people. Its population has been growing at an annual average rate of 1.64 percent since 2001.
The country boasts a highly multicultural society, with citizens representing all five major racial types – Australoid, Mongoloid, Europoid, Caucasian and Negroid. Hindus and Muslims make up the majority of its population but other faiths are present as well.
International Mother Language Day, observed annually on February 21st around the world to raise awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity as well as multilingualism, was first established by UNESCO in 2000.
This year’s Mother Language Day is being observed under the theme: “Multilingual Education – A Necessity to Transform Education.” This is an opportunity for people around the world to embrace their mother tongue as part of their education, making it simpler for those speaking non-dominant languages, minority languages or indigenous dialects to access formal education and be included in society.
Multilingualism
On February 21st, UNESCO has designated 21 February International Mother Language Day to recognize languages and celebrate linguistic diversity. With this initiative, they hope to promote multilingual education in schools and colleges around the world.
Celebration of this day serves to protect and revitalize languages that are in danger of disappearing or becoming extinct. Additionally, it offers an opportunity for multilingual education that emphasizes mother tongues while encouraging people to maintain their knowledge of their mother tongue.
According to UNESCO, over 40% of the global population does not have access to an education in their mother tongue or any other language.
Multilingualism, also known as bilingualism, refers to societies and states that use more than one language for communication. Bilingualism on the other hand is more specific; it describes individuals who can speak two or more languages independently and thus qualify as bilinguals.