International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day is an international holiday established to support linguistic and cultural diversity. There are thousands of different languages in our world, and numerous dialects as well! The holiday is annually on February 21.

History

International Mother Language Day was established in 1999, and a year later the first official celebration took place. The initiative was taken by UNESCO.

Initially, the holiday had a specific purpose: to support and preserve Bengali as the mother tongue of the people of Bangladesh. The region was historically part of East Pakistan and was home to an indigenous population with its own culture and language. The country sought independence for a long time due to constant infringements on the locals and non-acceptance of their language. There were various rallies and strikes, often resulting in casualties. Ultimately, Bangladesh became an independent republic on March 26, 1971, with official recognition on December 16. Residents defended their right to honor their own traditions and speak their native language.

Ethnic researchers predict that in 30-40 years, some ethnic cultures may disappear due to the absorption of one culture by another. It is also possible that new languages will emerge or that old languages will merge as a result of strong intercultural ties. This is why it is so important to preserve today’s world cultures and their languages. This idea is being actively promoted today, largely through the creation of International Mother Language Day.

Interesting Facts

• The rarest and most endangered languages in the world can be found in Asia and Africa.
• The most common language is Chinese, used by approximately 1.4 billion people.
• English is the most widely spoken language in Europe and the United States. It is native to 420 million people, and about 700 million more learn it as a second language.

How to Celebrate

Immerse yourself in the history of the language you speak! Learn interesting facts and explore old words that have been replaced by modern equivalents or are no longer in use.

Spread the word on social media. Ask other users what their native language is and how well they know it.

When is International Mother Language Day in 2025?

International Mother Language Day is observed on February 21 each year.

Observations