International Mother Language Day is celebrated every year on February 21. This movement started in East Pakistan, which is now Bangladesh, as a Bangla language movement. The Bangla language, which was extensively spoken by Bangladeshis, was intended to be preserved. The fact that there are many languages in the world and that we should work to preserve their existence and legacy makes this day equally significant. This annual event, established by UNESCO in 1999, highlights the importance of cultural identity and multilingual education in fostering inclusive societies.
International Mother Language Day 2025 serves as a reminder to embrace and protect indigenous and minority languages as globalization continues to influence communication, guaranteeing that linguistic history remains an essential component of our shared human identity. Universe Public School (CBSE and RBSE) celebrated International Mother Language Day 2025 with great enthusiasm, emphasizing the importance of linguistic diversity and cultural heritage. Through a variety of activities, such as poetry recitations, multilingual storytelling, and traditional music, students were able to confidently express themselves in their mother tongues.
Teachers promoted an inclusive environment by encouraging pupils to value and respect many languages. The school’s dedication to cultural harmony and education was reaffirmed at the celebration’s conclusion with a resolve to protect and advance linguistic variety.
The Theme for International Mother Language Day 2025
The theme for International Mother Language Day 2025 is “Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day”.
History of International Mother Language Day
- In 1999, UNESCO designated February 21st as International Mother Language Day, which has been observed globally since 2000.
- In celebration of the language movement in Bangladesh, Mother Language Day was established. East Pakistan and West Pakistan were the two divisions that existed when Pakistan was split apart in 1947.
- The two regions differed greatly from one another in terms of language and culture. The government of Pakistan proclaimed Urdu the official language of both East and West Pakistan in 1948. Bengali or Bangla, however, was spoken by the vast majority of people in both east and west Pakistan.
- Due to the fact that Bengali is their mother tongue, the people of East Pakistan began to demonstrate. In addition to Urdu, they insisted that Bengali be included as one of the official languages.
- Dhirendranath Datta brought this up for the first time on February 23, 1948. The Pakistani government banned public gatherings and rallies in an effort to crush the demonstration.
- Massive marches and meetings were organized by University of Dhaka students with the help of the general people. On February 21, 1952, protesters were shot at by police. There were three fatalities and hundreds of injuries. People sacrificing their lives for their mother tongue was an uncommon occurrence in history.
- International Mother Language Day has since been observed by Bangladeshis as one of their sorrowful days. To show their profound grief, respect, and appreciation for the martyrs, they go to the Shaheed Minar, a monument erected in their honor, and its replicas. Bangladesh observes International Mother Language Day as a national holiday.
International Mother Language Day Timeline
- 1948 (Urdu as Pakistan’s National Language): Bangla is widely spoken in East Pakistan, however, the Pakistani government declares Urdu to be the national language.
- February 21, 1952 (Fire on Rallies): In Pakistan, protests calling for the inclusion of their mother tongue were met with gunfire from the police.
- January 9, 1998 (Letter to Kofi Annan): Abdus Salam and Rafiqul Islam write to Kofi Annan requesting that he declare International Mother Language Day and take action to preserve languages.
- 2008 (Year of Languages): The U.N. General Assembly establishes the International Year of Languages.
How to Observe International Mother Language Day
- Sign up for a Language
Learn an international language on International Mother Language Day. Any language could be used, including Hindi, French, Mandarin, and Spanish. You will be shocked at how many languages there are.
- Speak in Your Native Language
Try to communicate with your family only in your native tongue on International Mother Language Day. We frequently find ourselves speaking in a neutral language and losing the ability to use simple terms in our mother tongue. You have today to make that change.
- Teach a Language
Are you already multilingual? You may utilize your abilities to teach a friend or relative a second language. Additionally, this will help you brush up on your information and become a superb language learner.
5 Interesting Facts About Mother Languages
- Indian Languages
The majority of Indian languages can be divided into four groups: Sino-Tibetan, Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, and Afro-Asiatic.
- Thousands of Languages
Around 7,000 languages exist across the globe.
- Papua New Guinea
There are 840 languages spoken in Papua New Guinea, the most in the world.
- Languages Becoming Extinct
Around the world, approximately 2,400 languages are on the verge of extinction.
- English has the Most Words
The English language has more words than any other language, with over 250,000.
Why International Mother Language Day is Important
- It Promotes Diversity
There are hundreds of different cultures and languages in the world. Cultural diversity is promoted on International Mother Language Day. It gives people an insight into different cultures and enables them to learn the many languages spoken throughout the world.
- It Promotes Language Learning
Speaking multiple languages is usually beneficial. You never know when you might need to use a second language. International Mother Language Day advocates learning a second language and multilingualism.
- It Preserves Old Languages
Languages are essential for easy communication. We are unaware of the existence of many languages that are in decline. In addition to shedding light on the world’s numerous languages, this day enables us to learn about ancient languages.
FAQs
What is International Mother Language Day?
February 21 is a worldwide celebration to honor mother tongues and encourage linguistic variety.
Why is International Mother Language Day celebrated?
It promotes awareness of language preservation and pays tribute to the Bengali Language Movement in Bangladesh in 1952.
Who declared International Mother Language Day?
UNESCO proclaimed it in 1999, and it has been observed worldwide since 2000.
How do people celebrate this day?
To celebrate linguistic diversity, communities, organizations, and schools offer cultural activities, debates, and conversations in addition to language-related events.
Why is it important to preserve the mother language?
The loss of a language can affect communication and legacy since languages contain cultural identity, customs, and knowledge.