Are languages free? Thoughts on the International Mother Language day

[Francis Hult]

Global Voices Online

 

Are languages free? Thoughts on the International Mother Language day

 

Today is the International Mother Language Day, an annual event in UNESCO member states to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. This is mostly the international recognition of the Language Movement Day called 'Ekushey February', which is commemorated in Bangladesh since 1952. The date of 21st February was chosen in homage to a number of 'language martyrs' from Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) who were shot on 21st February 1952 in Dhaka, during public protest. They were demonstrating to establish their mother language Bangla as a national language along with Urdu, which was chosen as the sole official language in the then newly created Pakistan. 

 

Full story:

http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2008/02/21/are-languages-free-thoughts-on-the-international-mother-language-day/

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