International Mother Language Day is an observance held annually on 21 February worldwide to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. It was first announced by UNESCO on 17 November 1999. Its observance was also formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution establishing 2008 as the International Year of Languages.[1]
International Mother Language Day has been observed every year since
2000 February to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and
multilingualism. The date represents the day in 1952
when students demonstrating for recognition of their language, Bangla,
as one of the two national languages of the then Pakistan, were shot and
killed by police in Dhaka, the capital of what is now Bangladesh.
International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the General
Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) in November 1999 (30C/62).On 16 May 2009 the
United Nations General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/61/266 called
upon Member States "to promote the preservation and protection of all
languages used by peoples of the world". By the same resolution, the
General Assembly proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages,
to promote unity in diversity and international understanding, through
multilingualism and multiculturalism.
Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and
developing our tangible and intangible heritage. All moves to promote
the dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage
linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop
fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the
world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and
dialogue.
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