International Mother Language Day on February 21

International Mother Language Day will be marked across the country on February 21 (Tuesday) to highlight the importance of mother language in history and culture of people. Different public and private organisations will arrange seminars and discussion programmes to educate the citizens of the significance of mother language in the life of an individual.
Famous Linguist, Noam Chomsky, in his native theory, expresses that language acquisition is an innate faculty and a child learns his native language (mother language) with ease and children are more fluent in their native language.
The International Mother Language Day (IMLD) was proclaimed by the General Conference of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on November 1999. The event began being observed since February 2000 throughout the world to promote linguistic, cultural diversity and multilingualism.
According to the UNSECO "Half of the 6,700 languages spoken today are in danger of disappearing before the century ends, a process that can be slowed only if urgent action is taken by governments and speaker communities."
"The mother language, in which the first words are uttered and individual thought expressed, is the foundation for the history and culture of each individual. Moreover, it has been proven that children learn the best when they are instructed in their mother language during their first years at school," UNESCO says.
The concept of mother language complements that of multilingualism, which UNESCO strives to promote by encouraging the acquisition of at least three levels of language proficiency: a mother language, a national language and a language of communication.
UNESCO stresses that Languages are the best vehicles of mutual understanding and tolerance. "Respect for all languages is a key factor for ensuring peaceful coexistence, without exclusion, of societies and all of their members. An international photography contest is also being arranged as a part of activities of International Mother Language Day 2012 through a website: http://www.MotherLanguageDay.org/.