WUNRN
International Mother Language Day
21 February
“The mother language, in which the first words are
uttered and individual thought expressed, is the foundation for the history and
culture of each individual. ...
Languages are the best vehicles of mutual understanding and tolerance. Respect
for all languages is a key factor for ensuring peaceful coexistence, without
exclusion, of societies and all of their members."
Irina
Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO
Message for International Mother Language Day 2010
Two young mothers learning to write in a
literacy class conducted by Literacy House at a village near
International Mother Language Day was
proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
in November 1999 (30C/62).
On 16 May 2009 the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/61/266
called upon Member States "to promote the preservation and protection of
all languages used by peoples of the world". By the same resolution, the
General Assembly proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages, to
promote unity in diversity and international understanding, through
multilingualism and multiculturalism.
International Mother Language Day has been observed every year since February
2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The date
represents the day in 1952 when students demonstrating for recognition of their
language, Bangla, as one of the two national languages of the then
Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our
tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote the dissemination of
mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and
multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and
cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on
understanding, tolerance and dialogue.