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International Mother Language Day 2025 theme is: “Languages Matter: Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day.”
This year marks the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day. (Image: Shutterstock)
International Mother Language Day, commemorated every year on February 21, was established by UNESCO in 1999 to highlight the importance of languages in our lives. The day promotes multilingualism and cultural diversity. It reminds us of the vital role language plays in personal and cultural identity as well as in achieving sustainable development.
Celebrating this day helps raise awareness about preserving linguistic heritage, fostering communication and ensuring quality education for all. It encourages the world to appreciate and protect linguistic diversity for future generations.
International Mother Language Day 2025: Theme
This year marks the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day. The theme for this year is: “Languages Matter: Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day.” It highlights the importance of promoting linguistic diversity and encourages progress towards building a more inclusive and sustainable world by 2030.
International Mother Language Day 2025: History
The history behind International Mother Language Day dates back to 1947 when India gained independence. After this, a language issue arose in the subcontinent. In 1948, Pakistan declared Urdu as its only official language. However, in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), Bengali was the main language spoken, which led to protests.
On February 21, 1952, students from Dhaka University in Bangladesh strongly opposed this decision to protect their native language, Bangla. Despite the government banning gatherings, the protest grew larger with many people joining in to defend their language. The protests led to the deaths of five students.
To honour their sacrifice and to promote the importance of mother languages, UNESCO established International Mother Language Day in 1999.
International Mother Language Day 2025: Significance
International Mother Language Day 2025 is significant because it highlights the importance of preserving the world’s languages. This day encourages the use of mother languages, especially in schools, to help students understand and learn better.
It also promotes the revival of languages that are at risk of being forgotten and helps communities keep their linguistic traditions alive. Further, the day focuses on protecting the language rights of indigenous populations ensuring their languages are respected.
International Mother Language Day 2025: Celebrations
Here are simple ways to celebrate International Mother Language Day:
- Participate In Local Celebrations: Join events at cultural centers, community spaces or embassies to celebrate your language. These can include educational workshops, music performances, and poetry readings in your language.
- Attend Educational Events: Look for workshops or conferences focused on highlighting the importance of language preservation and multilingualism.
- Organise A Language Gathering: Host a casual get-together with family or friends to engage in discussions about language, its importance and share stories.
International Mother Language Day 2025: Quotes
- “A language is worth dying for.” – Moazzam Hussain (Bangladeshi linguist)
- “Let us celebrate the languages that make our world vibrant and diverse.” – Kofi Annan
- “Respect for one’s mother tongue is respect for oneself.” – Chinua Achebe
- “Languages are living things. They change, they grow, they die.” – Elie Wiesel
- “Languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and transmitting civilization.” – Desmond Tutu
- “Those who know only one language cannot put a name to their own thoughts.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
- “Every language is a world unto itself.” – Umberto Eco
- “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” – Ludwig Wittgenstein
International Mother Language Day 2025: Wishes
- May our words bridge gaps and build bridges between communities.
- May International Mother Language Day inspire a future where all languages are respected and valued.
- May the spirit of the Bangladeshi students ignite a passion for language preservation in all of us.
- May International Mother Language Day remind us to cherish the unique tapestry of languages that colour our world.
- May multilingualism be embraced, opening doors to understanding and empathy across cultures.
- May we honour the sacrifices made in the name of language rights.
