International Mother Language Day: origins, celebration, perspectives

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Each of the peoples has its own unique and inimitable language, which meets the destiny of man and carries a whole heritage. The inhabitants of a particular state have their own characteristics, traditions, culture, and the language is their direct reflection. It conveys the whole identity of the people, so the native language is a subject for real pride. And mother tongue day is a very important and necessary holiday.

Backstory

Like any celebration, this international day has its own historical background. His celebration was made possible by the events that took place in 1952 in Pakistan. In those days, students from the University of Dhaka took part in a demonstration against the Urdu language. The majority spoke the Bengali dialect, so it was this language that the protesters demanded to recognize as the state language. However, they not only did not listen to them, but also began to shoot. As a result, four student activists were killed. After the death of these and other inhabitants of Pakistan, as well as a number of unrest and liberation movements, Bengali was declared the official language in the country. The struggle for the right to use the manner of communication familiar from childhood was crownedsuccess. Subsequently, at the initiative of the country of Bangladesh (recognized in 1971 as an independent state), UNESCO proclaimed the date February 21 as International Mother Language Day, which has been celebrated annually around the world for 14 years.

How this day is celebrated in different countries

Mother tongue day is internationally recognized for a reason. It is celebrated in many states. In some of them, the people adhere to certain orders and traditions in celebrating, in others - every time everything goes according to a completely new plan. Let's take a look at a few of these countries that come to mind first.

Bangladesh

I really want to touch on this particular country, because here mother tongue day is considered a national holiday, since the anniversary of February 21 became a turning point in the fate of people and in the history of the whole country. As a rule, the inhabitants of Bengal organize a festive procession on this day, lay flowers in memory of the martyrs in Dhaka (at the Shahid Minar monument), and sing patriotic songs. A cultural program, festive dinners, literary competitions are held at the city's venues, and prizes are awarded. There is also a special ritual associated with this great day for the Bengalis. They buy special glass bracelets for themselves and their relatives, thus emphasizing their attachment to their native language and paying tribute to the national traditions and history of their country.

International Mother Language Day in Bangladesh is a special holiday. Every year, any event dedicated to the day of the native language is prepared withspecial scope and honors. The government and non-governmental organizations of the country in every possible way encourage the holding of various kinds of events, trying to support the love of fellow citizens for their native language, and also do this in order to preserve and further develop the indigenous speech.

Switzerland

Let's touch Europe. For example, in Switzerland on February 21 Mother Language Day is celebrated in an educational spirit. Promotions, practical classes, numerous seminars are held. Particularly acute in this country is the issue of families in which children speak two languages and both are native to them. The authorities, teachers and parents are well aware that such children need a special approach, so the country develops individual programs for training and educating the younger generation, which are being successfully implemented.

English speaking countries

In many European countries and not only (England, Ireland, Singapore, Jamaica, M alta, the Bahamas, New Zealand, and even the whole mainland in Australia), the official language, and therefore native, is English. It must be admitted that it is, in fact, part of the six international languages, therefore it is most directly related to the holiday. At any negotiations, on a journey and just in communication, he will be your main lifesaver.

Each language is beautiful and beautiful in its own way, so you should not forget it, love it, cherish it and be proud of it!

Native Language Day in Russia

In our country, love for one's native language can be compared to a feelingtrue patriotism that permeates everything and each of us. Especially when it comes to primordially Slavic values, to which we can confidently attribute the Russian language.

There are many different worthy statements about the Russian word, but no one has expressed it better than the classics on this topic. The most accurate sayings and clearly reflecting our spirit of patriotism include the words of the great Russian writer I. S. Turgenev, who said: “… you are my only support and support, O great, mighty, truthful and free Russian language.” Or suffice it to recall the decisive statement of V. G. Belinsky, he argued that "the Russian language is one of the richest languages in the world, and there is no doubt about it." Perhaps it is difficult to disagree with these brilliant people, because thanks to our language we think, communicate, create.

In our country, mother tongue day, the scenario of which is carefully thought out and prepared in advance, is held in many schools, libraries, palaces of culture, higher educational institutions and other educational institutions. Students carefully select the key in which the topic will be covered, learn words, rehearse. All scheduled events, as a rule, are of a solemn, patriotic and educational nature. They are held with the aim of instilling in children a sense of respect and love for their culture, history, traditions and, of course, for their native Russian language.

Disappearing dialects

Speaking in the language of statistics, today, of the six thousand languages existing in the world, more than two hundred are consideredextinct, they do not have a single living carrier. There is also an unfavorable language category of endangered and endangered types of speech (with almost no descendants who speak them). And unstable languages that are not successful because they do not have official status, and the territory of their distribution is so small that the prospects for their continued existence leave much to be desired.

In Russia, about 140 languages are on the verge of becoming obsolete, and twenty have already been recognized as lifeless.

Each native language has its own characteristics and culture. It distinguishes nations, makes people appreciate and respect their indigenous style of speech, pass it on from generation to generation. Therefore, mother tongue day should certainly be supported as an international holiday, encouraged and held at the proper level in all countries of the world.