21 February: International Mother Language Day

[Francis Hult]

Today is International Mother Language Day and the official launch day for the International Year of Languages.  Here are some related links:
 
 

**International Mother Language Day - 21 February** 

International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by UNESCO's General Conference in November 1999. The International Day has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/language/

 

 

**International Mother Language Day (21 February 2008)**

International Mother Language Day on 21 February 2008 is the occasion of a double celebration as it also marks the launch of the International Year of Languages with the slogan "languages matter!"

http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=55884&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

 

 

**IMLD 2008 Flyer**

http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001568/156883E.pdf

 

 

**IMLD 2008 Poster**

http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001570/157007E.pdf

 

 

**International Year of Languages to be launched at UNESCO**

International Mother Language Day, celebrated on 21 February every year since 2000, will also mark this year the start of the International Year of Languages proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, which has entrusted its coordination to UNESCO.

http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=41781&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

 

 

**UNESCO Courier: Special Issues on Languages**

"The first instrument of a people's genius is its language," said the French writer Stendhal. Literacy, learning, social integration....Everything transits through language, which embodies national, cultural and sometimes religious identity for each person.

http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=41344&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

 

 

**Languages and Multilingualism: A Pillar of Cultural Diversity**

Languages, with their complex implications for identity, communication, social integration, education and development, are of strategic importance for people and the planet. Yet, due to globalization processes, they are increasingly under threat, or disappearing altogether.

http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=35097&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

 
 
FMH
--
Francis M. Hult, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies
University of Texas at San Antonio
 
Web: http://faculty.coehd.utsa.edu/fhult/
 
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