Know about International Mother Language Day 21st February 2023
International Mother Language Day
International Mother Language Day is a global observance held on February 21st every year to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The day was first announced by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999, and it has been celebrated worldwide since 2000.
The main objective of the day is to promote awareness and appreciation of the importance of language diversity and the preservation of mother languages. The day also serves to raise awareness of the challenges faced by minority and indigenous languages, as well as to promote the use of mother languages in education and public life.
The date, February 21, was chosen to commemorate the Language Movement Day in Bangladesh, which took place on February 21, 1952. The movement was a protest against the imposition of Urdu as the only official language of East Pakistan, which is now Bangladesh. The movement ultimately led to the recognition of Bangla as the official language of the country.
International Mother Language Day is an opportunity to celebrate the richness of language and culture as well as acknowledge the importance of preserving linguistic diversity.
Significance of International Mother Language Day
The significance of International Mother Language Day lies in its promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity, multilingualism, and the preservation of mother languages. Here are some key reasons why this day is important:
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Recognition and celebration of linguistic diversity: There are thousands of languages spoken around the world, each with its own unique history, culture, and identity. International Mother Language Day celebrates this diversity and recognizes the importance of preserving and promoting each language and culture.
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Preservation of endangered languages: Many languages are at risk of disappearing as they are not being passed down to younger generations. International Mother Language Day draws attention to this issue and encourages efforts to preserve these languages before they are lost forever.
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Importance of mother languages in education: Research has shown that children learn best in their mother tongue. International Mother Language Day promotes the use of mother tongues in education and encourages the development of bilingual and multilingual educational programs.
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Promotion of intercultural understanding: Language is a key element of culture, and by celebrating and promoting linguistic diversity, International Mother Language Day fosters intercultural understanding and respect.
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Commemoration of historical events: The date of February 21 was chosen to commemorate Language Movement Day in Bangladesh, which was a turning point in the struggle for language rights and recognition. International Mother Language Day serves as a reminder of this historical event and its significance.
Overall, International Mother Language Day is a significant observance that promotes linguistic and cultural diversity, raises awareness of the challenges faced by minority and indigenous languages, and encourages the preservation and promotion of mother languages.
History of International Mother Language Day
The history of International Mother Language Day dates back to 1952, when a group of students and activists in Dhaka, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), organized a protest against the imposition of Urdu as the only official language of the region. On February 21, police opened fire on the protesters, killing several of them. This event became known as "Language Movement Day" and marked a turning point in the struggle for language rights and recognition.
The movement ultimately led to the recognition of Bangla (also known as Bengali) as an official language of East Pakistan in 1956. In 1999, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized the importance of this event and declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day.
The first International Mother Language Day was celebrated on February 21, 2000. Since then, the day has been observed annually around the world to promote linguistic and cultural diversity, multilingualism, and the preservation of mother languages. The day also serves as an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges faced by minority and indigenous languages and to promote the use of mother languages in education and public life.
International Mother Language Day is an important observance that celebrates the richness of language and culture as well as the importance of preserving linguistic diversity.
Read: More Important Days
Important information about International Mother Language Day
Here are some important facts about International Mother Language Day:
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International Mother Language Day is observed on February 21st every year.
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The day was first proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity, multilingualism, and the preservation of mother languages.
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The date of February 21st was chosen to commemorate Language Movement Day in Bangladesh, which took place on February 21, 1952. The movement was a protest against the imposition of Urdu as the only official language of East Pakistan.
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The movement ultimately led to the recognition of Bangla (also known as Bengali) as an official language of East Pakistan in 1956.
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International Mother Language Day is celebrated around the world with events and activities promoting linguistic and cultural diversity, multilingualism, and the preservation of mother languages.
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The day also raises awareness of the challenges faced by minority and indigenous languages and promotes the use of mother tongues in education and public life.
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The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in 2009 recognizing International Mother Language Day and calling on member states to promote the preservation and protection of all languages.
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International Mother Language Day is an opportunity to celebrate the richness of language and culture as well as acknowledge the importance of preserving linguistic diversity.
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In 2019, UNESCO launched the International Year of Indigenous Languages, highlighting the importance of indigenous languages and their preservation.
The theme of the 2023 International Mother Language Day, “Multilingual education – a necessity to transform
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International Mother Language Day is an important observance that promotes intercultural understanding and respect and encourages efforts to preserve and promote linguistic and cultural diversity.
Questions and Answer
- What is the current status of multilingual education globally?
According to the article, 40% of the world's population does not have access to education in a language they speak or understand. However, progress is being made in promoting multilingual education, particularly in early schooling, to bridge the gap between home and school and enable better learning.
- What is the significance of International Mother Language Day?
International Mother Language Day recognises the importance of languages and multilingualism in promoting inclusion and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals' objective of "leaving no one behind." UNESCO encourages and promotes multilingual education based on mother tongue or first language as a way to facilitate access to and inclusion in learning for non-dominant language speakers, minority groups, and indigenous languages.
- What is the theme of the 2023 International Mother Language Day, and how does it align with other initiatives?
The theme of the 2023 International Mother Language Day is "Multilingual education—a necessity to transform education," which aligns with the recommendations made during the Transforming Education Summit, where an emphasis was also placed on indigenous people's education and languages. The event will explore enhancing multilingual education in multilingual contexts, supporting learning through multilingual education, and revitalizing disappearing or endangered languages.
- What is the significance of promoting multilingualism?
Promoting multilingualism enables the development of inclusive societies that allow multiple cultures, worldviews, and knowledge systems to coexist and cross-fertilize. Languages play a vital role in development, cultural diversity, and intercultural dialogue, as well as in strengthening cooperation, achieving quality education for all, building inclusive knowledge societies, preserving cultural heritage, and mobilizing political will for applying science and technology to sustainable development.
- Who initiated International Mother Language Day, and when was it proclaimed?
International Mother Language Day was initiated by Bangladesh and proclaimed by the General Conference of UNESCO in November 1999. The United Nations General Assembly welcomed the proclamation of the day in its resolution of 2002.
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