Linguistic diversity leads Mother Language Day celebrations around the world
On February 21, the world celebrates the International Mother Language Day to promote linguistic diversity and to spread awareness among people regarding their mother-language. It was first announced by UNESCO on 17 November 1999. This year's theme is linguistic diversity and multilingualism count for sustainable development. We exist because of our language because we can express ourselves, communicate and participate in a social platform.
In today's scenario, where everything is changing drastically and we are adopting modern ways of teaching our child but we shouldn't forget that the first word uttered by a baby is in her/his mother language. Though we have become advanced and children have started learning foreign languages but the comfort which one gets while speaking their mother tongue is special. To continue this practice and encourage people to learn their mother-language, celebrating International Mother Language Day is important.
India is a multilingual country as it practices all religion and cultures. Speaking mother tongue helps in making a person unique and provides them an identity. Thus, it is important to preserve every language so as to maintain the cultural heritage of every community.
#Languages are who we are. Protecting this identity is a matter of human rights!
— UNESCO (@UNESCO) February 19, 2018
21 February is #MotherLanguageDay 👉 https://t.co/ZxycsTbaj0 pic.twitter.com/7gzlYbUYOL
Theme for 2018 on International Mother Language Day
The theme of 2018’s introduced International Mother Language Day is Linguistic diversity and multilingualism count for sustainable development. This theme aims at promoting the diverse culture across the world and preserve existing the mother tongue of several cultures, community, and indigenous groups. To help an individual excel in every field, it is important to speak in their respective mother tongue.
How to celebrate the International Mother Language Day
Social media can play an important tool in creating awareness about every language. The UN agency said that school teachers should encourage children to use their mother languages to introduce themselves and talk about their families and culture. Adults must also converse and share messages in their own mother tongue.
As language is an important part of the culture. To maintain this diversity, one must be taught to cherish the cultures of small communities as they find it difficult to find that space. The International Mother Language Day is a day that can help one save and flourish his/her language, and culture which are also the two important aspects of one’s personality.
First published: 21 February 2018, 13:49 IST
