International Mother Language Day is a day to celebrate the richness of our mother languages and the role they play in our lives. We can build a more inclusive and sustainable future for all by embracing multilingualism and promoting inclusive education.
Every year the whole world gathers to celebrate International Mother Language Day on the 21st of February. Each year has its own theme. This year’s theme is ‘Multilingual education is a pillar of intergenerational learning’’. For the UN, the aim of this year’s initiative is crucial for inclusive education and the preservation of indigenous languages. This theme highlights the importance of multilingual education. Multilingual education is the use of two or more languages in education. It has numerous benefits such as improved cognitive development, enhanced critical thinking skills and greater cultural understanding.
Bangladeshis living in Canada proposed the idea of establishing an International Day for Mother Languages. They presented the notion to UNESCO which is an organization dedicated to cultural and linguistic diversity. In November 1999, the UNESCO General Conference officially proclaimed February 21st as the International Mother Language Day. Though it started in Bangladesh, it has become a global celebration recognized by the UN and celebrated by communities worldwide in various ways like educational sessions, language fairs, cultural performances and campaigns promoting language rights and multilingualism.
International Mother Language Day holds significant meanings in several ways. This is a global reminder of the incredible variety of languages spoken worldwide. It celebrates this diversity and encourages understanding and appreciation for different cultures and ways of expression. Also, this day advocates for the importance of speaking and learning multiple languages. And this emphasizes the importance of providing education in a child’s mother tongue.
International Mother Language Day plays a vital role in raising awareness about the importance of linguistic diversity, promoting multilingualism, preserving endangered languages and ensuring inclusive education for all. It’s a day to celebrate the richness of languages and their power to connect communities and cultures across the globe.
