Published 14:09 IST, February 21st 2020
International Mother Language Day 2020: A day to celebrate linguistic & cultural diversity
International Mother Language Day is celebrated on February 21 and was an initiative of Bangladesh to promote linguistic and cultural diversity.
Advertisement
International Mor Langu Day was an initiative of Banglesh and since 2000 it has been observed throughout world on February 21. day is celebrated in a bid to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism as it is believed that langus are most powerful instruments of preserving and developing tangible and intangible herit. day was approved at 1999 UNSECO General Conference and according to official UN website, organisation believes in importance of cultural and linguistic diversity for sustainable societies.
On occasion of International Mor Langu Day, Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, in a statement said, “By bringing ir speakers closer toger, by allowing m to flourish in a shared context, mor tongues generate social inclusion, invation and imagination. y also brea life into cultural diversity and serve as instruments of peace”.
Advertisement
This year, as world celebrates 20th International Mor Langu Day, UNESCO has also chosen me “langus without borders to draw attention to way in which all langus, including mor tongues, contribute to intercultural dialogue and peace.”
Advertisement
Encourment of linguistic diversity
According to UN, multilingual and multicultural societies exist through ir langus which transmit and preserve tritional kwledge and cultures in a sustainable way. However, UN also reported that at least 43 per cent of estimated 6000 langus spoken in world are endangered and only a few hundred langus have genuinely been given a place in education systems and public domain. Neverless, this day is celebrated to encour linguistic diversity and multilingual education.
Advertisement
Furrmore, it is also celebrated to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural tritions throughout world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue. UN also ted that progress is being me in mor tongue-based multilingual education with a growing understanding of its importance. Azoulay also believes that bilingual or multilingual education based on students' mor tongue t only encours learning but also contributes to understanding and dialogue among peoples.
Advertisement
14:09 IST, February 21st 2020