International Mother Language Day

History of International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day has been an annual observance throughout the world since 2000. It was first announced by UNESCO on November 17, 1999. Later in 2002, the United Nations General Assembly formally recognized it with the adoption of the U.N. resolution 56/262.

It was an initiative in Bangladesh to celebrate International Mother Language Day. February 21 also marks the anniversary when the people of Bangladesh fought for recognition for the Bangla language. The history of this dates back to 1947 when Pakistan was created. It encompassed two geographically separate parts known as East Pakistan and West Pakistan. These regions had strikingly different cultures and languages.

In 1948, Dhirendranath Datta from East Pakistan demanded in the constituent Assembly of Pakistan that Bangla be at least one of the national languages in addition to Urdu. There were many protests held to make this happen, however, the government of Pakistan outlawed public meetings and rallies to quell these protests. Post this, the students of the University of Dhaka, along with the general public, organized massive rallies and meetings. The police even opened fire on these rallies.

Much later after Bangladesh came into existence, Rafiqul Islam’s proposal was introduced in the Bangladesh parliament. A formal proposal was also made to UNESCO by the Government of Bangladesh. On November 17, 1999, the 30th General Assembly of UNESCO unanimously resolved that “February 21 be proclaimed International Mother Language Day throughout the world to commemorate the martyrs who sacrificed their lives on this very day in 1952.”

Bangladeshis celebrate this day by visiting the Shaheed Minar, a monument built in memory of the martyrs and its replicas to express their deep sorrow and pay their respects.

International Mother Language Day timeline

1948

Urdu as Pakistan’s National Language

The Pakistan Government declares Urdu as the National language despite Bangla being widely spoken in East Pakistan.

February 21, 1952

Fire on Rallies

The police in Pakistan open fire on rallies that were protesting for the inclusion of their mother tongue.

January 9, 1998

Letter to Kofi Annan

Rafiqul Islam and Abdus Salam write a letter to Kofi Annan asking him to take a step towards preserving languages and declaring International Mother Language Day.

2008

Year of Languages

The U.N. General Assembly establishes the International Year of Languages.

International Mother Language Day FAQs

When is International Mother Language Day?

In 2027, International Mother Language Day is observed on Sunday, February 21. It’s a global opportunity to reflect on the role of mother tongues in cultural identity and heritage.

How many languages are spoken in the world?

Estimates suggest that over 7,000 distinct languages are currently in use globally, with Asia and Africa being home to the greatest linguistic diversity. Experts warn that nearly half of these languages could disappear by the end of the century if preservation efforts are not intensified.

Why is International Mother Language Day celebrated?

International Mother Language Day serves as a reminder that languages are vital for preserving cultural identity and heritage. It encourages education in mother tongues and raises awareness about the thousands of languages worldwide that are currently at risk of extinction.

What is the difference between a mother language and an official language?

While a mother language is deeply tied to an individual’s identity and cultural roots, an official language serves a broader societal function, facilitating communication across diverse linguistic communities within a state. A country may have multiple mother languages but only one or a few official languages.

How to Observe International Mother Language Day

Sign up for a language class

On International Mother Language Day, sign up to learn an international language. It could be any language from Mandarin to Spanish to Hindi to French. There are so many languages out there that you will be surprised.

Speak in your native language

On International Mother Language Day, try to speak only in your local language, at least with your family. Most of the time we end up speaking in a neutral language and forget how to say basic words in our native language. Today is the day you can change that.

Teach a language

Are you already multilingual? Well, you can use your skills to teach another language to a friend or family. This will also help you to brush up on your knowledge and master the language perfectly.

5 Linguistic Facts About Mother Languages

Indian languages

Most Indian languages fall into four distinct groups that are Afro-Asiatic, Dravidian, Indo-Aryan, and Sino-Tibetan.

Thousands of languages

There are around 7,000 languages that exist across the globe.

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea has the most languages in the world with 840 languages.

Languages becoming extinct

Around the world, approximately 2,400 languages are on the verge of extinction.

English has the most words

With over 250,000 words, the English language has the most number of words.

Why International Mother Language Day is Important

It promotes diversity

The world is made of hundreds of cultures that speak different languages. International Mother Language Day promotes cultural diversity. It allows people to know the many languages in the world and provides a window into other cultures.

It promotes language learning

Knowing more than one language is always an advantage. You never know when a second language may come into use. International Mother Language Day promotes multilingualism and encourages learning another language.

It preserves old languages

Languages are essential for easy communication. Many languages are fading, and we don’t know of their existence. This day throws light on the many languages of the world and allows us to know ancient languages as well.