International Mother Language Day 2022: History, theme, wishes, celebrations

NEW DELHI: International Mother Language Day 2021 is celebrated every year on February 21 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism around the world. In India, the day is observed as Matribhasha Diwas.

History

The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day first came from Bangladesh. The general conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO decided to celebrate February 21 as International Mother Language Day in November, 1999.

Theme

The theme of the International Mother Language Day 2022 is “Using technology for multilingual learning: Challenges and opportunities”. It will highlight the potential role of technology to advance multilingual education and support the development of quality teaching and learning for all, according to the UNESCO website.

Celebrations

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is conducting a webinar from 11 am to 1pm (Paris time) today to celebrate International Mother Language Day 2022.

How can technology help advance multilingual education and support quality teaching?

Join @UNESCO 's #MotherLanguageDay celebration and tune in LIVE on 21 Feb from 11am to 1pm GMT+1 https://t.co/7dagDdRag9

— UNESCO ?️ #Education #Sciences #Culture ??? (@UNESCO) February 20, 2022

The University Grants Commission (UGC) also urged all higher education institutions to observe ‘Matribhasha Diwas’ on February 21.

The Commission asked colleges, universities to organize activities such as elocution, debate, singing, painting, essay writing competitions, music and dramatic performances, exhibitions with all COVID-19 protocols in place to celebrate the occasion.

Jamia Millia Islamia tweeted: “IGNCA under the ages of Azadi Ka AmritMahotsav, MinOfCultureGoI and unesconewdelhi, as a Knowledge Partner, cordially invites you to #InternationalMotherLanguageDay 2022 Celebration. 21-22 Feb 2022.”

IGNCA under the ages of Azadi Ka @AmritMahotsav , @MinOfCultureGoI & @unesconewdelhi , as a Knowledge Partner, cordially invites you to #InternationalMotherLanguageDay 2022 Celebration.
21-22 Feb 2022. #AmritMahotsav #IMLD2022 @PMOIndia @jmiu_official @ncert @sachchibaat09 pic.twitter.com/PkSIhH5hzd

— Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (@ignca_delhi) February 19, 2022

Wishes

“On the occasion of International Mother Language Day (21 February), let us celebrate the diversity and richness of our country’s languages. We invite you to post something that is representative of your mother tongue,” UGC tweeted.

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu tweeted, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart. -Nelson Mandela My heartiest greetings on International Mother Language Day! #InternationalMotherLanguageDay”

If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.
If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.
-Nelson Mandela

My heartiest greetings on International Mother Language Day! #InternationalMotherLanguageDay pic.twitter.com/xTgu8TSGmb

— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) February 21, 2022

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a tweet, “Greetings on International Mother Language Day! Salute to all martyrs who valiantly fought for the cause of mother language. Plurality of languages needs celebration in India today. We love all languages, we love our mother language.”

Greetings on International Mother Language Day! Salute to all martyrs who valiantly fought for the cause of mother language. Plurality of languages needs celebration in India today. We love all languages, we love our mother language.
ভাষা-মোদের ভালবাসা
সবাইকে নিয়ে বাঁচার আশা

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) February 21, 2022

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin wrote in a tweet: “On World Mother Language Day, I pay tribute to the martyrs who fought to protect their languages and uphold their rights.” “With the passion that comes from their sacrifice, we will all be determined to see an India where all languages are treated equally - without the dominance of a single language,” he added.

அவர்களது தியாகத்தில் இருந்து பெறும் உணர்வெழுச்சி கொண்டு, ஒற்றை மொழியின் ஆதிக்கம் இன்றி - அனைத்து மொழிகளும் சமமாக நடத்தப்படும் அனைவருக்கும் சமமான இந்தியாவைக் காண நாம் அனைவரும் உறுதியேற்போம். (2/2) #InternationalMotherLanguageDay2022

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) February 21, 2022