Happy International Mother Language Day, celebrated annually on February 21st since the late 1990s. Language is one of the main things that defines a culture and connects people together. It shows tradition, memories, identity, and cultural development. The mother tongue is deeply rooted in the native lands of each specific region, personifying history, and giving individuals the means to express themselves.
This holiday was inspired by the Language Movement in the 1940s by the people from Bangladesh. During the creation of Pakistan by the Benegal Province of India, tensions rose between East and West Pakistan. Both regions had a different culture and language, ultimately causing strong conflict, resulting in the Pakistani government to declare Urdu as the official national language, and outlaw public protests. On February 21, 1952, after the outlaw, university students from the University of Dhaka in East Pakistan publicly rallied to fight for their right to speak their mother language. Police opened fire on the protestors, killing five and injuring hundreds. Since that horrific day, Bangladeshi people celebrate February 21st to honor the martyrs that sacrificed their lives so their people could speak their true words. In 1999, the Government of Bangladesh and UNESCO established that day as a national observance day.
Language is one the most important factors of an individual’s identity, learnt from birth and enveloped in culture. Many of those across the world and throughout time were told their mother tongue was untrue and were banned from speaking it. During colonization and the passage of settlers, sterilization of the native people was a common occurrence, stripping away every ounce of their traditions to bestow the oppressors. Nationally observed days like these are days for remembrance and sanctity, to realize many regions have come so far through conflict, and to acknowledge those regions that are still under fire.
