International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day

Wednesday, February 21 is International Mother Language Day, a yearly event which celebrates and brings awareness to native languages, in particular those at risk of extinction. At least 43% of the estimated 6000 languages spoken in the world are endangered. Only a few hundred languages have genuinely been given a place in education systems and the public domain, and fewer than a hundred are used in the digital world.

The UNESCO-backed day has been observed since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism, with the UN believing the dissemination of mother tongues serves not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of global cultural traditions, while inspiring solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.

One potential solution for language extinction is Esperanto. This was suggested by Peter Baláž, President of the Slovak Esperanto Federation (SKEF). "It may seem paradoxical, but often, people who speak the planned language of Esperanto are hampering multilingualism and the right of all people to speak their native language," says Baláž, explaining that "Esperanto was not created to replace national languages ... Esperanto is not a language eliminator, as it is often used by those from great economic and military powers," says the federation.

The day also encourages Slovaks abroad to ensure they keep their mother tongue alive. One solution for both foreigners and Slovaks abroad to improve their Slovak language ability is the free multilingual online site for teaching the Slovak language www.slovake.eu, created by Slovak Esperantists, together with an international project team, and supported financially by the European Commission.


Gavin Shoebridge, Photo: TASR

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