தாய்மொழியைக் கொண்டாடுவோம்.. வங்கத்திலிருந்து கிளம்பிய மொழிப் பொறி!

- நயன்தாரா சூரியநாராயணன்

சர்வதேச மொழிகள் தினம் இன்று உலகம் முழுவதும் கொண்டாடப்படுகிறது. உலகம் முழுவதும் கொண்டாடும் இந்தத் தினம் வங்கதேசத்திலிருந்து கிளம்பிய ஒரு பொறியின் விளைவு என்று உங்களில் எத்தனை பேருக்குத் தெரியும்.

ஆம், வங்கத்திலிருந்து கிளம்பிய மொழிப் பொறிதான் அது. வங்க மொழி காக்க நடந்த போராட்டத்தின் விளைவுதான் இந்த நாளை சர்வதேச மொழிகள் தினமாக ஐ.நா. சபை அறிவித்து ஆண்டுதோறும் கொண்டாடி வருகிறது.

இதுகுறித்து மேற்கு வங்கத்திலிருந்து அதாவது கொல்கத்தாவிலிருந்து எழுத்தாளர் நயன்தாரா சூரியநாராயணன் எழுதியுள்ள அழகிய கட்டுரை:

On February 21, 2026 the whole world celebrates International Mother language day. This day is celebrated to promote linguistic diversity, honour language rights, promote multilingualism and preserve it.  Mother language also known as first language, mother tongue or native language is the language a person learns first in life, typically from their family or caregivers. It’s the language they’re most comfortable with and often used-to express emotions and thoughts naturally. Mother languages shape a person and create a community identity; it’s a part of who we are and the culture we belong to and bridges the gap between family and community. Hence it is imperative that we all celebrate mother language as Languages carry unique traditions, history, and values, it helps us to foster appreciation towards learning of languages especially endangered ones and recognises the importance of linguistic diversity in a globalized world. 

The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh, in reference to the fight for their recognition of their language (Bengali) as an official centre state language instead of provincial language (Urdu) on 21st February,1952. As a tribute to their language movement UNESCO declared 21st February as International Mother language day on 17th November, 1999, and from year 2000 it has been observed internationally.

The need to honour and promoting use of mother language is a global necessity as approximately 40% of the world's population does not have access to education in a language they speak or understand, and 40% of indigenous languages are at risk of extinction. Children taught in their mother tongue in early schooling are 30% more likely to read with understanding by the end of primary school compared to those who are not.

International Mother Language Day is observed in India annually as Matribhasha Diwas to promote linguistic diversity, highlighting that over 19500 mother tongues are spoken across the country. As per UNESCO atlas of the world languages in Danger states that India has the highest number of endangered languages with many tribal languages at risk of extinction. International Mother Language Day is celebrated across India to promote linguistic diversity, with events focusing on poetry, cultural performances, and multilingual education.  Every state takes effort to promote their mother tongue as well as other Indian regional languages through seminars, debates, poetry and music events. To cite a few examples- Tamil Nadu highlights the richness of Tamil through literary competitions, elocution, and showcasing classical language heritage through Schools and colleges events, such as Kavi Bharathi Vidyalaya and Muthayammal Engineering College, conduct, essay writing, debates, and cultural shows focusing on Tamil and other regional ,The Ladakh Academy of Art, Culture of Languages (LAACL) in Leh organises a symposium ,states like West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, Tripura & Andaman and Nicobar Islands observe the day to honour the 1952 Bengali language movement, emphasizing the importance of the Bengali language, The Ministry of Culture, along with organizations like Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), often hosts events featuring poetry, music, and discussions on using technology for multilingual learning. 

On the global front a wide variety of cultural, educational, and community events are conducted that highlight linguistic diversity. In Russia, for example, the Moscow State Pedagogical University hosts a major festival featuring poetry, song recordings in native languages, and multilingual video booths to allow students and visitors to share greetings and poems in their mother tongues. At the United Nations Office at Geneva, multilingual observances highlight the cultural wealth of different languages and promote awareness of endangered languages through discussions and staff presentations. Across other regions like Hamburg, Germany, institutes organize keynote talks and presentations on multilingual education, bringing together civil society and educators to celebrate learning in mother tongues as part of lifelong education. In the U.S., the day is marked through cultural and educational events that highlight lesser-used languages and the importance of linguistic diversity. A key example is the Mother Tongue Film Festival in Washington, D.C., organized by the Smithsonian Institution. This annual festival showcases films in lesser-used or indigenous languages from around the world to celebrate multilingual cinema and promote awareness about linguistic heritage in line with International Mother Language Day. In the U.K., communities and institutions celebrate the day with cultural observances and educational events. For instance, a replica of the Shaheed Minar (the language movement monument) in London’s Whitechapel is a gathering place where people lay wreaths, sing songs, and honour linguistic diversity each year. There are also events in places like Manchester, where local celebrations include talks, family-friendly language trails and activities that explore multilingualism and cultural identity. Additionally, celebrations have been hosted at venues like the House of Lords featuring cultural performances and presentations of South Asian languages. 

These activities—ranging from cultural performances and academic talks to exhibitions and community dialogues—underscore the global effort to preserve and celebrate languages.

Every year the official global event is hosted by UNESCO at its headquarters in Paris, France. Each year UNESCO organizes large public and expert events focused on the annual theme—such as multilingual inclusion, quality education, and endangered languages. These usually feature debates, expert presentations, policy discussions, and cultural showcases on the importance of mother-tongue education and linguistic diversity. UNESCO’s events also include exhibitions illustrating the richness of languages worldwide and may conclude with cultural performances that celebrate linguistic heritage. Interpretation is often provided in multiple UN languages. This year UNESCO theme for International Mother Language Day is all about Youth voices on multilingual education, the aim is to empowering young people to drive the adoption of mother-tongue-based education. This theme highlights the role of youth in protecting, revitalizing, and promoting linguistic diversity for sustainable, inclusive, and equitable learning. The initiative emphasizes that learning in a first language improves educational outcomes, boosts confidence, and improves critical thinking.

International Mother Language Day reminds us that languages are not merely tools of communication—they are carriers of heritage, identity, and collective memory. By celebrating our mother tongues, we preserve cultural richness and promote a more inclusive and harmonious world.