International Mother Language Day is observed annually on February 21st. It was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and to raise awareness of the importance of preserving and promoting mother languages worldwide.
The date, February 21st, holds significance as it marks the anniversary of the 1952 Bengali Language Movement in Bangladesh, then part of Pakistan. On this day, students and activists protested against the imposition of Urdu as the sole official language, demanding recognition of Bengali as one of the official languages of Pakistan. The movement ultimately led to the recognition of Bengali as an official language of Pakistan in 1956 and later became a symbol of linguistic rights and cultural identity.
International Mother Language Day celebrates linguistic diversity and encourages people to appreciate and use their mother languages, while also promoting multilingualism and language learning. It highlights the importance of preserving indigenous languages, many of which are endangered, as they are carriers of unique cultural heritage, traditions, and knowledge.
Each year, UNESCO selects a theme for International Mother Language Day, focusing on various aspects of language diversity, language rights, and multilingual education. The day is commemorated through various events, including conferences, seminars, cultural performances, language-related activities in schools, and social media campaigns, aimed at promoting linguistic diversity and fostering greater understanding among communities worldwide.
INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY
“International Mother Language Day is a moment for all of us to raise the flag for the importance of mother tongue to all educational efforts, to enhance the quality of learning and to reach the unreached.”- Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General
“This universe can be expressed in very good words and syllables which is not one’s
mother tongue.”– Tahar Ben Jelloun
“For you Indians, I do not think that English can ever leave the magic of emotionss that our mother tongue can.”– Kailash Kher
“A defferent language is a different vision of life.”– Federico Fellini
“I always regret the loss od any language, because languages are the lineage
of nations.”– Samuel Johson
“Language is the dress of thought.”-Samuel Johnson
“Those who know nothing of foreign languages, know nothing of their own.”- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Language exerts hidden power, like a moon on the tides. – Rita Mae Brown
