Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day History

International Mother Language Day promotes and celebrates linguistic and cultural diversity. Initiated by UNESCO, the day's main aim is to advance the preservation and protection of all languages for their integral role in society and culture. This observance underscores the crucial connection between language and identity, stressing the need for the protection of linguistic rights, which will in turn encourage inclusion and the flourishing of cultural diversity.

In South Africa, International Mother Language Day bears particular significance due to the country’s multilingual society. The history behind the day roots back to 21 February 1952 when people in Bangladesh fought for their right to speak their own language, Bengali, a battle to which many lost their lives. This struggle resonates profoundly with South Africans, who endured similar oppressions during apartheid where languages were employed as tools of segregation and dominance. The day greatly serves to reinforce the value of the country's 11 official languages and the preservation of the many other indigenous languages that remain a vital part of South African culture and identity.

Several activities mark the commemoration of International Mother Language Day in South Africa. Concerts, language and cultural festivals, and poetry readings form part of the celebrations. The day also prompts language workshops and symposiums, encouraging dialogue around linguistic diversity and advocating for language rights. International Mother Language Day falls annually on 21 February.

Facts about Mother Language Day

• The theme for International Mother Language Day in 2025 was Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day. The theme for International Mother Language Day in 2024 was Multilingual education is a pillar of intergenerational learning. The theme in 2023 was Multilingual education – a necessity to transform education.
• According to Ethnologue.com, as of 2024, the most spoken languages around the world are:
  1) English – 1.5 billion people
  2) Mandarin Chinese – 1.1 billion people
  3) Hindi – 600+ million people
  4) Spanish – 550 million people
• Mother languages in a multilingual approach are essential components of quality education, which is itself the foundation for empowering women and men in their societies. — Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General.
• Since the end of apartheid, South Africa has adopted a language policy that promotes multilingualism. This policy aims to encourage the development and use of all 11 official languages and facilitates the preservation of minority languages for cultural and heritage purposes
• The importance of language in South Africa's political and cultural history can be seen through events such as the Soweto uprising in 1976. Protests began in response to the apartheid government's policy of enforcing Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in black schools, leading to widespread unrest and violence.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for Mother Language Day

Top things to do in South Africa for Mother Language Day

• Gather with friends and family to assess your local education system. Does it provide adequate language instruction and second language instruction? Second language acquisition has been linked with critical thinking, creativity and flexibility of the mind.
• Generate awareness for International Mother Language Day by using the hashtags #InternationalMotherTongueDay, #IMLD, #motherlanguage or a hashtag followed by the language of your post (#english, #bengali, #xhosa).
• Visit the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg: This museum shows the history of the Apartheid era in South Africa in an engaging, interactive format. It also has exhibitions and resources about the different languages spoken in South Africa.
• Language Roadshows: These events are essentially traveling exhibitions, featuring linguistic diversity in South Africa, often held in community halls, schools, and public spaces.