February 21st is International Mother Language Day. But in Bangladesh, it is celebrated as Language Martyrs Day.
Bangladesh was once known as East Pakistan, after Pakistan and India gained independence from Britain. When Urdu (spoken in Pakistan) was being forced onto Bangladesh as the only official language, the people protested, demanding that Bengali (also known as Bangla) be included as an official language. On February 21st 1952 police fired on protesters, killing several students. This language revolution ultimately led to the 1971 independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan.
Showing posts with label international mother language day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label international mother language day. Show all posts
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
International Mother Language Day!
February 21 is International Mother Language Day!
February 21 was proclaimed International Mother Language Day by UNESCO’s General Conference in November 1999 and has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
So many languages die out because their own native speakers don't recognize the value of them. They choose to learn regional and international languages in order to survive and compete in a global economy. But they lose a great cultural heritage in the process.
Celebrate your Mother Language today, whether it is an international language like English, Russian or French, a regional language like Swahili or Persian, or a language spoken little outside its home territory like Igbo, Icelandic or Tibetan!
February 21 was proclaimed International Mother Language Day by UNESCO’s General Conference in November 1999 and has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
So many languages die out because their own native speakers don't recognize the value of them. They choose to learn regional and international languages in order to survive and compete in a global economy. But they lose a great cultural heritage in the process.
Celebrate your Mother Language today, whether it is an international language like English, Russian or French, a regional language like Swahili or Persian, or a language spoken little outside its home territory like Igbo, Icelandic or Tibetan!
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