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Naimuri joined the global celebration of International Mother Tongue Day, a day dedicated to honouring the rich tapestry of languages that shape our cultural identities. This global observance, proclaimed by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) in 1999, aims to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
Background of International Mother Tongue Day
The origins of International Mother Tongue Day date back to a tragic event in 1952, when students in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) protested for the recognition of their mother language, Bangla. The protestors were met with violence and several students lost their lives. This event, known as the Language Movement, played a pivotal role in the eventual recognition of Bangla as an official language in Bangladesh.
In recognition of this sacrifice and the importance of linguistic diversity, UNESCO declared 21st February as International Mother Tongue Day. Since then, it has been observed worldwide to raise awareness about the value of mother languages and to advocate for their preservation. The day serves as a reminder of the importance of linguistic and cultural diversity and the role that mother languages play in shaping our identities, heritage and worldviews.
Aiden’s Talk: A Deep Dive into Heritage and Language
During the session, our colleague Aiden Burgess shared his own story, delving into his heritage and family language, Serbo-Croatian. Aiden spoke passionately about what his mother tongue means to him, highlighting the deep connection it fosters with his cultural roots. Aiden also shared a few Serbo-Croatian words, allowing us to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness of his language. Below is a screenshot of the words Aiden shared with us, including the pronunciation.
Engaging Group Activities
The session featured interactive activities that brought our diverse linguistic backgrounds to the forefront. We participated in a group exercise where we translated the phrase “Keeping the UK safe” into our second languages.
English - Keeping the UK safe
Urdu - برطانیہ کو ایک محفوظ جگہ رکھنا
Pashto - د انګلستان ساتل یو خوندي ځای / da englastan satal yo khwandi zai
Serbian - Одржавање Велике Британије сигурнијим местом / Održavanje Velike Britanije sigurnijim mestom
Punjabi - ਯੂਕੇ ਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ ਸਥਾਨ ਰੱਖਣਾ / Yūkē nū ika surakhi'ata sathāna rakhaṇā
Bengali - যুক্তরাজ্যকে একটি নিরাপদ জায়গা রাখা / Yuktarājyakē ēkaṭi nirāpada jāẏagā rākhā
Irish - An RA a choinneáil in áit níos sábháilte
French - Faire du Royaume-Uni un endroit plus sûr
German - Großbritannien zu einem sichereren Ort machen
Spanish - Mantener el Reino Unido como un lugar más seguro
This exercise not only showcased the linguistic diversity within our organisation but also highlighted the importance of multilingualism in fostering inclusion and understanding.
We also took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, discussing our favourite words and phrases from childhood and reflecting on their impact on our present lives. This activity sparked meaningful conversations about how language shapes our experiences and identities.
Challenges of Speaking a Second Language in the UK
Aiden facilitated a discussion on the challenges of speaking a second language in the UK. We explored how linguistic diversity is perceived in the public domain and shared our own personal experiences of navigating these perceptions.This conversation shed light on the need for greater acceptance and appreciation of different languages in our society.
Exploring the Cornish Language
One of the session’s highlights was an exploration of the Cornish language, an endangered language in the UK. Aiden provided insights into the history and cultural significance of Cornish, as well as the efforts being made to revitalise and preserve it. The discussion highlighted the importance of protecting and promoting all languages, no matter how small or endangered they may be.
Conclusion: Celebrating Our Linguistic Heritage
International Mother Tongue Day at Naimuri was a powerful reminder of the beauty and significance of our linguistic heritage. Aiden’s talk and the engaging activities encouraged us to reflect on our own language journeys and the role of mother tongues in shaping our identities. By embracing linguistic diversity, we can create a more inclusive and culturally rich environment, both within Naimuri and in the wider world.
We are all humans, we just sound different when we speak!
