International Mother Language day
Background:
21st of February is an international mother tongue day, this day is an initiative of Bangladesh. Since 2000, this day is being organized and observed across the globe. A sustainable society can only be created when the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity is acknowledged, this is the day of celebrating linguistic diversity.
The world is making significant progress in mother tongue-based multilingual education with a growing understanding of its importance, mainly in early schooling, higher curriculum and media contents. Traditional practices and cultures are only preserved and transmitted through the mother tongue and also can promote peaceful dialogues. Languages depict identification, communication, social integrity, education, development and other several aspects of people and planet. Due to the globalization process, several mother languages are on the verge of being extinct, they are increasingly under threat and disappearing altogether. Let's join our hands to promote and preserve cultural and linguistic diversity and multilingualism.
Global language statistics
This globe is expressed in 6000 different ways through 6000 different languages but almost 43% of these languages are on the verge of extinction. Only a few hundred languages are integrated into educational curriculums and the public domains, less than a hundred languages are only placed in digital platforms. Language plays a vital role in preserving and promoting our tangible and intangible heritages, social peace and harmony are based on expression and language. Nepal is a country of diversity with over 123 languages spoken in Nepal. These languages are originated mainly from Indo-Aryan and Sino Tibetan sources, Nepali languages have recently been featured in Google translator and the Unicode form of Nepali scripts are widely accepted in digital platforms. Today we can post our status and write news in our own mother tongue (Nepali) however, there are several other languages in Nepal which must be preserved and promoted.
Languages in Nepal
The number of languages spoken in Nepal has reached 131. According to the report of the Language Commission, the number of languages spoken in Nepal has reached 131 with the addition of two more languages in 2076 and 77. Currently, the newly added languages are Marek Yakkha and Nava Sherpa.
Earlier, according to the study report of Language Commission 2075-76, 6 languages were added. Rana Tharu (Kanchanpur), Nar Phu (Manang), Chum Syar ( Gorkha), Pyke (Dolpa), Serake Sek (Mustang), Nubri, Larke and 6 languages were added.
Theme 2025
The theme for International Mother Language Day 2025 is likely to be "Make Languages Count for Sustainable Development" as it marks the 25th anniversary of the day, emphasizing the importance of linguistic diversity and multilingualism for achieving global development goals.
Utmost wishes on International Mother Tongue Day.
Suyog Dhakal
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