[Edling] 21 February is International Mother Language Day

[Francis M. Hult via Edling]

International Mother Language Day

The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative
of Bangladesh. It was approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference and
has been observed throughout the world since 2000.

UNESCO believes in the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity for
sustainable societies. It is within its mandate for peace that it works to
preserve the differences in cultures and languages that foster tolerance
and respect for others.

Linguistic diversity is increasingly threatened as more and more languages
disappear. Globally 40 per cent of the population does not have access to
an education in a language they speak or understand. Nevertheless, progress
is being made in mother tongue-based multilingual education with growing
understanding of its importance, particularly in early schooling, and more
commitment to its development in public life.

Multilingual and multicultural societies exist through their languages
which transmit and preserve traditional knowledge and cultures in a
sustainable way.

More information:
https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/motherlanguageday
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