We all smile in the same language
“Every two weeks a language disappears taking with it an entire cultural and intellectual heritage.” UN
Having the International Mother Language Day as one of the United Nations’ official days might seem an unlikely celebration, but we only think that way because we aren’t aware of what this day actually represents.
Languages are strategic. They mean identity, allow us to communicate, be social, learn, get educated and develop. They are representations of the complexity of cultures, with particular words, own traditions and costumes. And they are endangered.
Almost 50% of the world’s estimated 6000 languages are at risk of disappearing. Why? Education. Or the lack of it. Only a few hundred languages were given a place in schools and education systems as part of the curriculum, and in the more recent digital world even less are being used. Take Africa as an example: a continent home to about one-third of the world’s languages, where education is mostly available only in European languages: English, French or Portuguese. Is this fair? Or are we disrespecting the continent’s culture?
40% of the global population doesn’t have access to education in a language they speak or understand. Progress is being made in mother tongue-based multilingual education, and multilingual societies exist and are being fostered.
As strong believers of the power of languages in preserving our heritage, the United Nations have been celebrating the International Mother Language Day since 2000.
Let’s all celebrate International Mother Language Day by raising awareness for the importance of mother tongues as windows to universal education and literacy. One step closer to SDG 4.
Written by Eva Plag Fontes
