It’s International Mother Language Day!

On one of my recent expeditions on google, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that February 21st is International Mother Language Day.

How could I have missed it all these years?

It turns out that United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) first announced International Mother Language Day in 1999, and it’s been celebrated every year since 2000.

The stated goal of International Mother Language Day is “to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.” (UNSECO)

This year’s theme, Towards Sustainable Futures through Multilingual Education, raises awareness to the importance of providing learners with access to education in their mother tongue. “Local languages, especially minority and indigenous, transmit cultures, values and traditional knowledge, thus playing an important role in promoting sustainable futures.”

Do you celebrate International Mother Language Day? How is it celebrated in Canada?

editor, writing coach, writer

Dr. Sara Promislow is an academic editor, writer, and writing coach with more than 17 years' experience. She completed her MEd and PhD at the University of Toronto and held a number of positions in higher education and health sciences research. Sara has authored and co-authored journal articles, book chapters, conference posters, presentations, and abstracts; developed and contributed to successful grant applications, including a $7M CIHR grant; and created educational materials for diverse audiences. Dr. Promislow is a member of Editors Canada.

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February 21, 2017

bilingualism, culture, immigration, Langauge, language and identity, mother language, mother tongue

International Mother Language Day

on the borderlands