Celebration of International Mother Language Day

Celebration of International Mother Language Day 

International Mother Language Day is celebrated annually on February 21st. This day promotes linguistic and cultural diversity while encouraging the use of mother languages to preserve and transmit heritage. Here are some ways people might celebrate International Mother Language Day:

Language Festivals and Events:

Organize language festivals or events that celebrate the diversity of languages in a community or region. These events can include cultural performances, language workshops, and exhibitions.

Cultural Exhibitions:

Set up exhibitions showcasing the history, literature, and cultural significance of various mother languages. This can include displays of traditional artifacts, books, and multimedia presentations.

Language Competitions:

Host language competitions, encouraging participants to showcase their proficiency in their mother tongue through poetry, storytelling, or other linguistic skills.

Multilingual Celebrations:

Conduct events where people can express themselves in their mother language. This could involve storytelling sessions, poetry readings, or music performances.

Language Education Initiatives:

Promote language learning initiatives in schools and communities. Encourage the teaching and learning of mother languages, not only to preserve them but also to facilitate better communication and understanding.

Cultural Performances:

Organize cultural performances that highlight the traditional music, dance, and art associated with different mother languages.

Language Preservation Workshops:

Conduct workshops on language preservation, encouraging communities to document and safeguard their linguistic heritage.

Bilingual Book Fairs:

Arrange book fairs featuring literature in various mother languages. This can encourage reading and appreciation of diverse linguistic expressions.

Online Celebrations:

Engage in virtual celebrations, especially if physical gatherings are not possible. Conduct webinars, online language lessons, or virtual cultural exchanges.

Community Language Pledges:

Encourage individuals to take pledges to speak and promote their mother language. This could involve public commitments to use the language in daily life, at home, or in community settings.

Awareness Campaigns:

Launch campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of linguistic diversity, the preservation of endangered languages, and the role of mother languages in shaping identities.

Remember that the celebration of International Mother Language Day is an opportunity to recognize the importance of linguistic diversity and the need to protect and promote languages worldwide. It's a day to celebrate one's language and culture while fostering mutual respect and understanding among different linguistic communities.

 

International mother Language Day is Celebrated every Year on 21st February.

21st February is our Mother Language Day. It is a memorable day in the national history of Bangladesh. It turned into the International Mother language Day when it was recognized by the UNESCO on the 17th November 19999. It has become a red letter day in the world culture.

The day has a historical background. The then Governor general of Pakistan, muhammad Ali jinnah said in the Curzon Hall, Urdu and shall be the state language of Pakistan." This declaration raised the storm of protest in the mind of the people and the students of East Pakistan. This gave birth to the movements against the Pakistani aggressors.

On 21st February 1952 the desperate Bangalees or Bangladesh advanced with determination amidst firing and lathi charge. In this  movement Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Shafiq and Jabbar sacrificed their holy lives for the cause of the mother tongue. Understanding the gravity of the situation the then ruling class recognized Bangla as a separate language for the Bangalees or Bangladeshis in the then East Pakistan ( Bangladesh ).

The national flag on the day is kept hoisting at half mast everywhere. People put garlands of flowers on the altar of the Shaheed Minar. The people organize social gatherings, wher they honour their language and culture and hold literary competitions, draw Alpana on the roads,eat festive meals and listen to event themed songs " Amar bhaiyer Rokte Rangano Ekushey February"

Condolence meetings are held before it. People deliver speeches and offer fateha  for the salvation of the departed souls who sacrificed their lives for the mother tongue in 1952. TV and Radio channels put up special programmes. International Mother Language Day is now celebrated throughout the world including Asia, Europe, America, Africa, Oceania etc.

We, the Bangladesh, are grateful to the UNESCO for this noble and worldwide declaration.


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