Press release

International Mother Language Day

21 Feb 2012

Today is International Mother Language Day. Every year since February 2000, International Mother Language Day has been observed throughout the world, promoting linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

The date of February 21st is in memory of a tragic event. In 1952 students demonstrating for the recognition of their language, Bangla, as one of the two national languages of then Pakistan, were shot and killed by police in Dhaka, which is now the capital of Bangladesh.

Language is an important tool in preserving the heritage of different cultures across the world. By promoting the dissemination of mother tongues the United Nations hopes to develop greater awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to promote unity based on understanding and respect of other cultures.

Here in Great Britain we are a diverse multicultural society and in London schools alone there are over 300 languages being spoken. Today is a great opportunity for us all to learn something about another language and the culture it belongs to.