Thailand: The importance of a mother tongue

[Francis Hult]

Bangkok Post

 

The importance of a mother tongue

 

Eight-year-old Soifah Jetsadakraisii was failing second grade. The Chiang Rai native grew up speaking Bisu, one of the hundreds of ethnic minority languages scattered over the mountainous heart of Southeast Asia. The language spoken by the teachers was Thai; to Soifah, a foreign tongue.

 

While the 2015 launch of the Asean Community is focusing attention on English language, the annual commemoration of Feb 21 as "International Mother Language Day" highlights the importance of all languages in this region and worldwide.

 

Full story:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/280767/the-importance-of-a-mother-tongue

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