International Mother Language Day

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International Mother Language Day

Did you know that every 21 February is International Mother Language Day? If you would like to know the origin of this celebration and its importance for future generations, read on.

International Mother Language Day is an annual celebration that takes place every 21 February. It aims to raise awareness of the importance of preserving and promoting mother tongues around the world. The date was chosen to commemorate the day in 1952 when students at Dhaka University in Bangladesh were killed while fighting for the right to speak their mother tongue, Bengali.

Mother tongue is a fundamental part of a person’s cultural identity and is essential for cognitive and social development. However, many minority languages are in danger of extinction due to globalisation and cultural homogenisation. It is important to preserve and promote these languages to ensure cultural diversity and the preservation of the world’s linguistic richness.

In short, International Mother Language Day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of mother tongues and to take action to preserve and promote them.

Origins of International Mother Language Day

On 21 February 1952, police and army personnel attacked a march in Bangladesh. The march had been called by university students and political leaders to demand recognition of their language, Bengali. It should be remembered that at that time Bangladesh was part of Pakistan. In this context, the government of that country had imposed Urdu as the only language. The Bengali language was thus in danger of disappearing.

The intervention of the authorities led to violence, resulting in the death of two demonstrators and many injuries. The Bengali Language Movement had begun. It would extend its protests until 1956, when the Pakistani government recognised Bengali as one of its official languages. The ancient language could then be taught in schools and used in everyday life as well as in public administration.

But it was not until 1999 that the UNESCO General Conference gave official status to this celebration. Thus, International Mother Language Day was commemorated for the first time in 2000. However, it was not until 2007 that the UN General Assembly, by means of a resolution, fully recognised this important date.

The importance of a day that protects cultural heritage

According to UNESCO, linguistic diversity is under serious threat. The figures show that every two weeks a language disappears from the planet. This also means that a large part of the world’s cultural and intellectual heritage is disappearing. Given the seriousness of the issue, this global organisation is making efforts to preserve cultural and linguistic differences. In this way it also aims to promote tolerance and respect between individuals and peoples.

The celebration of International Mother Language Day has served to raise awareness of the issue. One of its greatest achievements has to do with multilingual education. This is now possible from the first studies in many countries around the world. Moreover, it is important to remember that multilingual and multicultural peoples are only possible through their languages. This is, at the same time, the only way to preserve both the traditional knowledge and cultures of civilisations.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that this year’s celebration has technology as its central theme. The theme is ‘The use of technology for multilingual learning: challenges and opportunities’.

Mother Tongue Definition

According to the Instituto Cervantes, a mother tongue (also called native language or L1) is the first language a person learns, the language that one learns from childhood and which is usually one’s natural instrument of thought and communication.

Bilingualism is when a person has two mother tongues, usually as a result of multicultural societies or migratory movements, the two languages being equally important and equally important tools of thought and communication. If a person learns another language, it is considered a second language or L2, since the natural instrument of thought is the mother tongue.

What is the relationship between a person’s mother tongue and cultural identity?

Mother tongue is a fundamental part of a person’s cultural identity. Through language, people communicate with their family and community, learn about their culture and pass on their values and traditions. The mother tongue also plays an important role in shaping a person’s self-esteem and self-identification.

Speaking one’s mother tongue is a way of belonging to a group and feeling accepted and valued. On the other hand, not being able to speak the mother tongue or having to leave it aside can lead to a feeling of exclusion and marginalisation.

In addition, the mother tongue is a valuable tool for transmitting the culture and traditions of a community. Through stories, songs and other forms of expression, people can learn about the history, beliefs and customs of their culture. The mother tongue is an essential part of a person’s cultural identity, as it is through it that the culture and traditions of a community are communicated, learned and passed on. The preservation and promotion of mother tongues is essential to ensure cultural diversity and the preservation of the world’s linguistic wealth.

Mother tongue in education and the importance of bilingual education.

The inclusion of mother tongue in education is essential to ensure that all students have access to quality education. When a student can use his or her mother tongue in the classroom, he or she is more likely to understand the material and be better able to express him or herself. In addition, the inclusion of the mother tongue in education helps to preserve and promote minority languages and ensure cultural diversity.

Bilingual education, which combines the mother tongue with another language, also has many benefits. Studies have shown that bilingual education improves academic performance, increases language learning ability and helps develop cognitive skills. In addition, bilingual education can help students develop greater cultural competence and prepare them for an increasingly globalised world.

Why is Mother Language Day celebrated?

International Mother Language Day is celebrated in commemoration of a tragic event in 1952 in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). On that day, students and activists demonstrated in defence of the Bengali language, which was one of the most widely spoken mother tongues in the region. The government of Pakistan at the time had imposed Urdu as the only official language, ignoring regional languages such as Bengali.

The protesters’ peaceful protest sought to preserve and recognise the importance of their mother tongue, Bengali. However, the government’s response was brutal. The police fired on the protesters, resulting in the deaths of several activists and students.

This tragic event led to global awareness of the importance of protecting and preserving mother tongues as a fundamental part of each community’s cultural identity and heritage. In 1999, UNESCO proclaimed 21 February as International Mother Language Day, with the aim of promoting linguistic and cultural diversity, as well as encouraging the use and preservation of mother tongues worldwide. The date has become an opportunity to reflect on the importance of mother tongues and to take action for their preservation.

Why is it called ‘mother tongue’?

The term ‘mother tongue’ refers to the language that a person learns as his or her first language during childhood, usually at home, through interaction with the family and community. It is the language that is acquired naturally, intuitively, and is the first communication tool an individual uses.

The name ‘mother tongue’ comes from the word ‘mother’. The association with the mother is due to the fact that, historically, the mother has been one of the main figures responsible for the upbringing and early education of children. Therefore, the language learned in the family environment, often passed down from generation to generation, is referred to as ‘mother tongue’ to emphasise its intimate connection with upbringing and cultural identity.

The importance of the mother tongue lies in the fact that it is not only a means of communication, but also a crucial component in the formation of cultural identity, family connections and understanding of the world. The preservation of and respect for mother tongues is fundamental to maintaining linguistic and cultural diversity in the world.

What is the most widely spoken language in the world as a mother tongue?

The most widely spoken mother tongue in the world is Mandarin Chinese. It is the main language of more than one billion people, mainly in the People’s Republic of China and in Chinese communities around the world. Mandarin is one of the varieties of Chinese, which is a tonal language and is part of the Sino-Tibetan language family.

It is important to note that the classification of the most widely spoken mother tongue may vary according to the criteria used, such as whether different variants of a language are considered as separate entities or whether they are counted as a single language. However, in terms of number of native speakers, Mandarin Chinese usually ranks first.

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