What is the United Nations’ International Mother Language Day and why does it exist?
Every two weeks a language becomes extinct. To try to preserve indigenous languages, the United Nations observes International Mother Language Day every year on February 21
READING LEVEL: GREEN
Today is International Mother Language Day, which was created by the United Nations* to help preserve indigenous* languages around the world.
Due to globalisation*, indigenous languages are increasingly under threat of extinction.
Every two weeks a language disappears, taking with it an entire culture’s heritage* and thus diminishing the world’s cultural diversity*.
At least 43 per cent of the estimated 6000 languages spoken in the world are endangered, only a few hundred are formally taught and used and fewer than 100 are used in the digital world, according to UNESCO*.
Like languages around the world, indigenous Australian languages are under increasing threat of extinction.
The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies understands that in Australia, there were more than 250 indigenous Australian languages, including 800 dialects, or local variations, at the time of European settlement in 1788. Today, only about 13 indigenous Australian languages have enough young people speaking them for them to survive.
Indigenous languages everywhere are much more than just a way of communicating.
Yuin* woman Anne Martin, educator and former national NAIDOC* Committee Co-Chair, described indigenous languages as “the breath of life”.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait languages are not just a means of communication, they express knowledge about everything: law, geography, history, family and human relationships, philosophy*, religion, anatomy*, childcare, health, caring for country, astronomy*, biology* and food.
“Each language is associated with an area of land and has a deep spiritual significance, and it is through their own languages that indigenous nations maintain their connection with their ancestors, land and law,” she said in an interview published by La Trobe University.
International Mother Language Day has been observed every year since February 2000. This year’s theme is: “Indigenous languages matter for development, peace building and reconciliation*”.
One of UNESCO’s goals for this year’s International Mother Language Day is to collect proverbs in as many of the world’s indigenous languages as possible. A proverb is a short, well-known saying that states a fact or gives advice.
The proverbs should be on the topics of peace, harmony, conflict resolution/competence to deal with conflict, mindfulness, resilience or wellbeing.
The proverbs will be compiled and the most appropriate ones published by the UN on its website and other publications.
To submit a proverb, visit www.un.org/en/events/motherlanguageday
GLOSSARY
- United Nations: international organisation that helps countries work together
- indigenous: specific to one area
- globalisation: the process by which the things people, countries and businesses do become more international, rather than local
- heritage: background
- diversity: a range of differences
- UNESCO: the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. UNESCO also awards special places such as the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage status to help preserve them.
- Yuin: a nation of indigenous Australian people from the south coast of NSW
- NAIDOC: a week in July that celebrates the heritage and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- philosophy: a way of thinking
- anatomy: science of the structure of the body
- astronomy: science of stars, planets and space
- biology: science of living things
- reconciliation: coming back together after a fight or bad times
EXTRA READING
Amazing photos of ancient cultures
Hobart could be known as nipaluna
Aussie lingo a living, thriving language
English test plan for residency applicants
QUICK QUIZ
- How often does a language become extinct around the world?
- How many indigenous Australian languages have some chance of surviving?
- What are some of the things language can be used to communicate knowledge about? language
- What is this year’s theme?
- What is a proverb?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Create a poster
Create a poster that will help other students in your school understand why International Mother Language Day is important. If you know about your local Aboriginal language, include something inspired by it in your poster.
Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Visual Communication Design, Languages
2. Extension
In the story, it says that there are only 13 indigenous languages that have enough young people speaking them to survive.
What do you think could be done to make sure that indigenous languages stay alive?
Think about this and write an action plan that you think could help communities keep their languages alive for future generations.
Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Critical and Creative Thinking
VCOP ACTIVITY
After reading the article, with a partner, highlight as many wow words or ambitious pieces of vocabulary that you can find in yellow. Discuss the meanings of these words and see if you can use them orally in another sentence.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you think it is important to preserve indigenous languages. Why or why not?
No one-word answers. Use full sentences to explain your thinking.