"International Mother Language Day"

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to be here with you today to celebrate International Mother Language Day. You may be wondering why – with all the pressing issues of the day – we should take time to celebrate the idea of a “mother tongue”. Upon closer examination, you will find that respect for “mother languages” is fundamental to the work of the United Nations and to our collective efforts for peace, rights and well-being.

First, respecting linguistic differences is essential to the preservation of our common cultural heritage. Language is the vehicle through which culture is consumed, disseminated and passed on to succeeding generations. Each language encapsulates – through its vocabulary, syntax and grammar – a distinctive perspective on the world; a unique take on the human experience. Some 7,000 languages are spoken around the world today, of which 96 percent are spoken by only four percent of the world’s population. More than 50 percent of the languages spoken will likely die out within a few generations. These endangered languages represent a threat to the cultural diversity of mankind.

Second, a society that respects “mother languages” fosters inclusivity and signals reverence for diversity. Reaching out to communities in their own languages broadens public participation in politics, economics and culture, contributing to peace and social harmony. A failure to do so, however, can lead to marginalization and a sense of victimization. The date of International Mother Language Day was chosen to commemorate the 1952 police crackdown in Dhaka on students demonstrating for recognition of their language – Bangla – as one of the two national languages of then East Pakistan.

Third, respect for “maternal languages” is essential if we are to communicate and reach the ambitious objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals. This roadmap for the future of mankind depends upon our collective participation and a recognition that we cannot leave anyone behind. Communicating in the “mother tongues” of the world is vital to this effort. To foster sustainable development, learners must have access to education in their mother tongue and in other languages. It is through the mastery of a first language that the basic skills of reading, writing and numeracy are acquired.

The United Nations Office at Geneva is fully engaged in supporting multilingualism and maintaining considerable efforts to meet the growing demand for translation and interpretation services. Our staff represents a broad tapestry of languages, with some 69 mother languages spoken. Collectively, UNOG staff speak some 90 languages from all over the world, a rich asset to the organization.

We at UNOG continue to invest in the development of our staff, through among other things, language courses meant to foster personal development and promote multilingualism. To that end, we have chosen to mark International Mother Language Day by launching the new UNOG Centre for Learning and Multilingualism. We are proud to have such a vibrant learning centre that is passionate and committed to safeguarding and promoting language diversity.

I wish you all a Happy Mother Language Day!