Every year on February 21, the world observes
International Mother Language Day, a UNESCO initiative aimed at promoting
linguistic and cultural diversity. The significance of this day extends far
beyond mere celebration—it is a call to protect languages from extinction and
ensure that linguistic heritage remains a cornerstone of human identity. Yet,
despite growing awareness, linguistic diversity continues to be threatened by
globalization, political marginalization, and the dominance of a few world
languages.
Of the estimated 7,000 languages spoken globally, nearly
40% are at risk of extinction. UNESCO warns that a language disappears every
two weeks, erasing not just words but an entire cultural worldview. This
decline is fueled by forced assimilation, economic pressures, and education
systems that favour dominant languages over native tongues. In many countries,
children are discouraged from speaking their mother languages, leading to
generational language loss.
India, despite being a linguistically diverse country
with 22 scheduled languages and over 1,600 dialects, is not immune to this
crisis. Several tribal and regional languages are vanishing due to
urbanization, lack of institutional support, and the growing emphasis on English
and Hindi in education and governance. When a language dies, indigenous
knowledge, oral traditions, and unique ways of understanding the world perish
with it.
Mother languages are more than just communication tools;
they shape cultural identity, history, and cognitive development. Research
shows that children learn best in their native language, which strengthens
their foundation for acquiring additional languages. Societies that prioritize
mother tongue education have higher literacy rates and stronger cultural
continuity. Moreover, linguistic diversity fosters innovation, inclusivity, and
social cohesion. Multilingualism enhances cognitive flexibility, fosters
cross-cultural dialogue, and preserves local wisdom that has been passed down
for centuries. In contrast, linguistic uniformity erodes diversity and creates
cultural homogenization, often marginalizing indigenous and minority
communities.
Governments and policymakers must take decisive steps to
protect endangered languages and promote multilingual education. This includes
integrating mother tongues in primary education, providing legal recognition
and institutional support for regional and indigenous languages, encouraging
digital content creation in native languages, and documenting endangered languages
before they disappear.
As globalization and modernization push linguistic
diversity to the margins, it becomes imperative to recognize the value of every
mother tongue. Each language represents a unique way of thinking, a distinct
worldview that adds to the richness of human civilization. The loss of a
language is not just the disappearance of words but an erasure of stories,
songs, and knowledge systems that have evolved over centuries.
On International Mother Language Day, we are reminded of
the need to protect this fragile thread. Governments, institutions, and
individuals must work together to ensure that linguistic diversity is
preserved, that indigenous languages receive the respect they deserve, and that
future generations are encouraged to embrace their mother tongues with pride. A
world that values every language is one that truly honours its heritage,
ensuring that no voice is ever silenced.
