International Mother Tongue Day is celebrated on February 21 each year. It was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. The day highlights the importance of preserving and protecting all languages, especially endangered ones.
On this International Mother Tongue Day, we celebrate the beauty and richness of linguistic diversity. Our mother tongue is more than just a means of communication. It carries our history, traditions, and cultural identity.
In a world that is rapidly globalising, it is essential to preserve and promote our indigenous languages, ensuring they continue to thrive for future generations.
Language is a bridge that connects us to our heritage and strengthens our sense of belonging.
Let us take pride in our mother tongue, encourage its use in everyday life, and support efforts to keep our languages alive. By doing so, we honour our ancestors and contribute to a more inclusive and culturally enriched society.
I would like to end with a quote: "All languages bring joy, but the mother tongue brings true bliss."
Long live the Tamil language, the oldest declared classical language in the world
Dr Rajendran Govender is a social anthropologist and researcher; Commissioner at the CRL Rights Commission; and a social cohesion advocate.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.