International Mother Language Day is an annual observance that takes place on February 21st to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The day was first observed in 2000 and was proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The day commemorates the 1952 Bengali Language Movement in what is now Bangladesh, where university students and political activists protested the decision by the Pakistani government to impose Urdu as the only official language of the then East Pakistan. The protests led to violence, and several activists were killed on February 21, 1952. The Language Movement ultimately succeeded in establishing Bangla (Bengali) as one of the official languages of Pakistan, and after the Bangladesh Liberation War, it became the official language of the newly independent country of Bangladesh in 1971.
International Mother Language Day serves as a reminder that language is an important part of cultural identity, and that everyone should have the right to use and preserve their mother tongue. The day aims to promote the preservation and protection of linguistic diversity and multilingualism, as well as to raise awareness about the importance of mother tongues for sustainable development, education, and social cohesion.
Each year, UNESCO chooses a theme for the day, and events are organized around the world to celebrate the occasion. The themes have included "Indigenous languages matter for development, peace building and reconciliation," "Inclusion in and through education: Language counts," and "Languages and Multilingualism for Sustainable Development."
History Of International Mother Language Day
The history of International Mother Language Day dates back to the Language Movement of Bangladesh, which began in 1948 when the newly formed government of Pakistan declared Urdu as the only national language, even though only a small portion of the population spoke it. This decision was perceived as an attack on the cultural identity of the Bengali-speaking people of East Pakistan. As a result, protests and strikes broke out across the region, and students took to the streets to demand the recognition of their mother tongue, Bengali, as one of the official languages of Pakistan.
The protests continued for several years, with many Bengali intellectuals and activists leading the movement. In 1952, the Language Movement reached its climax when police opened fire on a group of peaceful protesters in Dhaka, the capital of East Pakistan. This incident, known as the Language Martyrs Day or Shaheed Day, resulted in the deaths of several students and activists, sparking outrage across the country.
The Language Movement was successful in achieving its goal, and in 1956, the newly formed Pakistani government recognized Bengali as one of the official languages of the country. This victory was a major milestone in the struggle for linguistic and cultural rights, and it inspired similar movements in other parts of the world.
In 1999, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared 21st February as International Mother Language Day. The aim was to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and to encourage people to celebrate their mother tongue. The day was also intended to raise awareness of the importance of preserving endangered languages, which are disappearing at an alarming rate.
The theme for International Mother Language Day changes every year, but the message remains the same – to celebrate and promote linguistic and cultural diversity. The day is celebrated in many ways around the world, from cultural events and exhibitions to language classes and seminars. Many countries also use the occasion to highlight the importance of multilingual education and to recognize the rights of indigenous peoples and minority communities.
International Mother Language Day is more than just a commemoration of the Language Movement of Bangladesh. It is a reminder that language and culture are intertwined and that diversity is a valuable asset to society. The day provides an opportunity to celebrate the many different languages and cultures that make up our world and to recognize the contributions they make to our shared heritage.
Timeline Of International Mother Language Day
- 1952: On February 21st, students in Dhaka, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), protested for the recognition of Bangla as one of the official languages of Pakistan. The protests turned violent, leading to the deaths of several students.
- 1956: The Constitution of Pakistan declared Urdu as the sole national language of the country, which sparked further protests in East Pakistan.
- 1999: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared February 21st as International Mother Language Day to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
- 2000: The first International Mother Language Day was observed, with events and activities held around the world to celebrate and promote the importance of preserving and promoting mother languages.
- 2008: The theme for International Mother Language Day was "Multilingual education", highlighting the benefits of using mother languages in education and promoting the development of multilingual societies.
- 2013: The theme for International Mother Language Day was "Books for mother tongue education", emphasizing the importance of access to quality literature in mother languages for educational and cultural purposes.
- 2019: The theme for International Mother Language Day was "Indigenous languages as a factor in development, peace and reconciliation", recognizing the critical role of indigenous languages in promoting sustainable development and peaceful coexistence.
- 2021: The theme for International Mother Language Day is "Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society", highlighting the importance of multilingual education and its role in promoting social inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and building peaceful and sustainable societies.
Observances Of International Mother language Day
Bangladesh:
In Bangladesh, February 21st is a national holiday to honor the Language Movement of 1952, when students and activists protested for the recognition of the Bengali language as an official language. On this day, people across the country pay their respects to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the cause of their mother language. The day is celebrated with cultural events, including poetry recitals, song performances, and traditional food fairs.
Canada:
In Canada, International Mother Language Day is celebrated to recognize the importance of preserving and promoting indigenous languages. The day highlights the challenges facing indigenous communities, such as loss of language and cultural heritage, and raises awareness about the need to protect and revitalize these languages. Various events, such as language classes, workshops, and cultural festivals, are organized to celebrate the linguistic and cultural diversity of Canada.
India:
In India, International Mother Language Day is observed to celebrate the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of the country. The day is an opportunity to promote the importance of preserving and promoting the diverse languages spoken in India. Various cultural events, including folk music and dance performances, language classes, and seminars, are organized to raise awareness about the significance of mother languages.
United States:
In the United States, International Mother Language Day is celebrated by various organizations and educational institutions to promote linguistic diversity and cultural understanding. The day is an opportunity to celebrate the importance of mother languages and raise awareness about the challenges facing immigrant communities who struggle to maintain their mother tongues in a new country. Events, such as language classes, cultural festivals, and seminars, are organized to promote linguistic diversity and cultural understanding.
United Kingdom:
In the United Kingdom, International Mother Language Day is celebrated to recognize the linguistic and cultural diversity of the country. The day is an opportunity to promote the importance of preserving and promoting mother languages and to raise awareness about the challenges facing immigrant communities who struggle to maintain their linguistic heritage. Various events, including language classes, cultural festivals, and workshops, are organized to celebrate the diversity of languages spoken in the UK.
FAQ
Q. What is International Mother Language Day?
A. International Mother Language Day is observed annually on February 21 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. It celebrates the cultural richness of different languages and their contributions to the world.
Q. Why was International Mother Language Day created?
A. International Mother Language Day was created to commemorate the language movement in Bangladesh, where students protested against the imposition of Urdu as the only official language in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). On February 21, 1952, several students were killed while protesting for the recognition of their mother tongue, Bengali, as an official language.
Q. How is International Mother Language Day celebrated?
A. International Mother Language Day is celebrated by promoting linguistic and cultural diversity, organizing events, and honoring the language martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the recognition of their mother tongue. Many countries also promote multilingualism and encourage people to learn new languages.
Q. How can I participate in International Mother Language Day?
A. You can participate in International Mother Language Day by learning a new language, organizing events to promote linguistic and cultural diversity, and honoring the language martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their mother tongue. You can also use social media to raise awareness and promote multilingualism.
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