Celebrated on 21 February
Preserving the Language Diversity
Languages are of vital importance for people and the world. Unfortunately, due to the growth of globalization , they are increasingly under threat of disappearing altogether. When languages vanish, so does the world´s cultural diversity. Traditions, opportunities, memories, unique manners of expression and thinking will sadly also disappear.
According to the United Nations, at least 43% of the estimated 6000 languages spoken in the world are endangered. “Only a few hundred languages have genuinely been given a place in education systems and the public domain, and less than a hundred are used in the digital world”.
International Mother Language Day has been taking place every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
Everybody should always be aware that languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our cultural heritage. We must encourage our children to cherish their mother tongue as it is a precious treasure, and It also helps them appreciate their personal, social, and cultural identity.
On the other hand, when our children develop strong communication skills in their mother language, they could have stronger literacy skills in other languages.
“Multilingual and multicultural societies exist through their languages which transmit and sustainably preserve traditional knowledge and cultures.” ( UN)