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Home / IAS Preparation / International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day: Theme & Significance - UPSC Notes

Last Updated on Feb 15, 2025
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The International Mother Language Day, observed on February 21 aims to promote multilingualism and intercultural understanding. It raises awareness of the value of protecting mother languages around the world. The day was established by UNESCO in 1999, honoring the recognition by the Bangladesh language movement in 1971. It claimed students' lives due to the pursuit of recognition for their mother language. The day is meant to not only commemorate the 1971 Bangladesh language movement, wherein students died demanding recognition for the same, but also fight against the extinction of languages. Many languages worldwide are endangered. International Mother Language Day aims to:

  • spur efforts to keep them alive,
  • foster multilingualism, and
  • enhance intercultural understanding.

The topic of International Mother Language Day falls primarily in General Studies Paper II and General Studies Paper I of the UPSC examination. In Paper II, it corresponds to topics relating to Governance, Constitution, and Polity, mainly to the section pertaining to Cultural Diversity and Social Issues.

Syllabus

General Studies - Paper II

Topics for Prelims

Linguistic Diversity, Social Inclusion, International Year of Indigenous Languages

Topics for Mains

Language as a Tool for Social Empowerment

About the International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day is not just a great opportunity to celebrate language diversity. It rather is an active campaign to make sure that every child gets the opportunity to learn and access education in their mother tongue. The day aims to promote the use of native languages that protect the cultures and traditions attached to them. It supports the fight against the loss of languages due to forces of globalization, migration, and the dominance of prime languages globally, such as English. It serves as a reminder to everyone of the importance of mother languages in sustaining cultural identity, mental development, and communicative development.

It also highlights the fact that 40% of world languages are endangered by the UNESCO declaration, warning that they might vanish in a short time. With a language dying, culture, in its entirety, is wilfully silenced. International Mother Language Day further aims to create awareness and respect toward linguistic diversity and sense of pride in one’s own language.

Read the article on the Linguistic Minorities!

Objectives of Celebrating International Mother Language Day

The means toward accomplishing several goals associated with the celebration of International Mother Language Day differ. Other key objectives include:

  • To uplift people's respect and use for multilingualism that develops diversity.
  • To spread awareness about the rapid extinction of languages.
  • To promote activities to document and preserve languages.
  • To create an esteem in the minds of individuals about the significance of their native language in expressing their cultural identity, knowledge, and traditions.
  • Ensuring that children can learn and teach in their own languages. Studies confirm students better perform when taught in a language with which they are conversant.
  • To support the truth that a knowledge of multiple languages enhances cognitive abilities. It encourages better communication and problem-solving skills.
  • Aiding the involvement of linguistic minorities in the functioning of political and social life aimed towards inclusivity.

Read the article on the List of Languages in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution!

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International Mother Language Day 2024 Theme

Each year, International Mother Language Day encompasses a host of different themes. These aim to address current concerns over language preservation. The 2024 theme for International Mother Language Day was:

“Promoting Multilingualism for Inclusion in Education and Society.”

The theme elaborates about the need of displacing differences through language use in education and society. It assures that each individual is given a chance to take part without barriers to knowledge or communication in whatever form. This calls upon the governments, educational institutions, and other associated organizations to foster the idea of multilingualism. This ensures that no one will be left behind due to language.

Read the article on the Languages of Courts in India!

Significance of International Mother Language Day Celebrations

The importance of celebrating International Mother Language Day is way beyond marking it on the calendar. It serves several significant purposes.

  • Language is a very important aspect of cultural identity. Celebrating this day creates awareness of the indigenous languages and cultures. It thereby helps keep alive the said languages and cultures.
  • International Mother Language Day reminds the world that diversity in languages enhances our diversity in cultural heritage. Respecting and encouraging multilingualism becomes imperative for peaceful coexistence in the modern-day world.
  • Many endangered languages bear the brunt of modernity. They become extinct largely with the expansion of dominant languages. International Mother Language Day achieves a certain visibility to the need for endangered-language protection and revitalization.
  • The occasion calls for the necessity of mother-tongue education. This is essential to explain complex mental notions and ecology. It promotes equality of education opportunities by promoting and encouraging multilingualism.
  • The world is becoming increasingly interconnected. The promotion of a multilingual setup helps in breaking down barriers that prevent people from having a meaningful relationship with each other. It helps promote peace and understanding among countries and cultures.

Read the article on Social Exclusion!

Global Efforts to Protect Languages

Many efforts are globally aimed toward preserving endangered languages and promoting multilingualism. Among them are:

UNESCO’s Linguistic Diversity Programs

UNESCO works to preserve endangered languages by carrying out Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger program. It documents languages at risk of extinction. Bilingual education promotion programs are also supported.

Language preservation technology

Modern technology has enabled language preservation lessons to be digitized and much more accessible to all audiences. There are many web applications and websites that people utilize to learn and teach endangered languages.

International Day for Linguistic Diversity

Other global observances next to International Mother Language Day focus on encouraging the use of indigenous languages. This includes the International Year of Indigenous Languages declared in 2019 by the UN.

Global Campaigns

To protect and revitalize languages worldwide, NGOs and international organizations are working on. This includes SIL International and Endangered Languages Project.

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Indian Government Initiatives to Protect Languages

India has a vast linguistic diversity. It recognizes the significance of preserving and promoting languages. The government of India is committed to several initiatives for the protection of the country’s native languages:

The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution

The Constitution of India lists 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule, aimed at promotion and preservation. This includes Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, and many more.

Language Development Programs

The government is supporting various programs through the Ministry of Culture and Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL). This helps in the promotion and preservation of regional and minority languages.

Bilingual Education Policies

The education system in India has implemented a bilingual approach to accommodate students from diverse regional languages. The government promotes the idea of imparting education in the mother tongue, especially in rural and tribal areas.

Language Research and Documentation

The National Translation Mission was set up for the promotion of the translation of meaningful texts in many languages for the preservation and promotion of the linguistic heritage of India.

Official Language Policy

The Official Language Act mandates the use of Hindi and English for official work. However, regional languages are also given importance at the state level. This ensures that people across India can access government services in their native tongue.

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Key Takeaways on International Mother Language Day for UPSC Aspirants

  • International Mother Language Day: This is a day usually observed on February 21 every year. It aims at promoting linguistic diversity through the protection of endangered languages. The day raises awareness regarding the importance of mother tongues in determining cultural identity and communications.
  • UNESCO's Role: UNESCO, in 1999, declared this day-which highlights how languages affect education and culture, and ultimately, identity. It also honors the memories of students in the 1971 Bangladesh language movement, who laid down their lives in defense of their native language.
  • Objectives of the Day: Main objectives of this day are to promote multilingualism, preserve endangered languages, educate in mother tongues, promote cultural awareness, and work towards social inclusion by furthering language equality.
  • 2024 Theme: Inclusion in education and society by promoting multilingualism is the theme for International Mother Language Day 2024. This refers to the use of different languages for an inclusive atmosphere in society and education.

Download the Key Takeaways PDF for International Mother Language Day!

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More Articles for IAS Preparation

International Mother Language Day UPSC FAQs

The study of endangered languages must be documented, educated, and promoted for their awareness.

The mother tongue allows better cognizance and understanding of complex concepts for a child, leading to performance in the school while studying.

International Mother Language Day is celebrated on February 21 every year.

In 2022 the theme was ''Using technology for multilingual learning: Challenges and opportunities."

International Mother language Day serves the urge of preserving languages, promoting multi-lingualism, and granting access to education in the native tongue.
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