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International days are marked to educate the public on issues of concern, to address global problems and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. Each international day provides the community an opportunity to organize activities related to the theme and to create public awareness on the same. Organizations, governments, public and private sectors, schools, universities and citizens make international day a springboard for awareness raising actions. In this article let us check the International Mother Language Day 2025 – Quiz, History and theme!
International Mother Language Day 2025 Date – February 21
In this article readers can get a glimpse on
- History and Objective of International Mother Language Day
- International Mother Language Day Theme 2025
- International Mother Language Day Quiz
History and Objective of International Mother Language Day
1: Who was the first woman President of India?
International Mother Language Day was declared by UNESCO in 21 February 1999 to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism. It has been observed throughout the world since 21 February 2000. The declaration came up in tribute to the Language Movement done by the Bangladeshis (then the East Pakistanis). 21st February is the anniversary of the day when the people of Bangladesh (then east Pakistan) fought for recognition for the Bangla language.
Pakistan had two geographical parts East Pakistan and West Pakistan when it was created in 1947. The two parts were extremely different to each other with respect to culture, language and various other aspects. In 1948, the Government of Pakistan declared Urdu to be the sole national language of Pakistan even though Bangla was spoken by the majority of people. The East Pakistan people protested and demanded Bangla to be at least one of the national languages. The demand was raised first by Dhirendranath Datta from East Pakistan on 23 February 1948, in the constituent Assembly of Pakistan. The students of the University of Dhaka arranged massive rallies and meetings. On 21 February 1952, police opened fire on rallies. This is a one incident in history, where people sacrificed their lives for their mother tongue.
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Start Learning!International Mother Language Day Theme 2025
In February, UNESCO will celebrate the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day, reaffirming the importance of linguistic diversity and multilingualism in fostering dignity, peace, and understanding.
The “Languages matter: Silver Jubilee Celebration of International Mother Language Day” event will underscore the urgency of accelerating progress on linguistic diversity to build a more inclusive and sustainable world by 2030. The event supports the International Decade of Indigenous Languages, highlighting how languages contribute to global development objectives. It will assess advancements, present effective multilingual education practices, and promote inclusive language policies that honor diverse communities.
International Mother Language Day Previous Themes
International Mother Language Day, observed annually on February 21, promotes linguistic and cultural diversity worldwide. Each year, UNESCO selects a specific theme to highlight various aspects of language preservation and multilingual education. Here are the themes from recent years:
- 2006: Languages and cyberspace
- 2007: Multilingual education
- 2008: International Year of Languages
- 2010: International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures
- 2011: Information and communication technology
- 2012: Mother-tongue instruction and inclusive education
- 2013: Books for mother tongue education
- 2014: Local languages for global citizenship: spotlight on science
- 2015: Inclusion in and through education: language counts
- 2016: Quality education, language(s) of instruction and learning outcomes
- 2017: Toward sustainable futures through multilingual education
- 2018: Our languages, our assets.
- 2019: International Year of Indigenous Languages
- 2020: Safeguarding linguistic diversity
- 2021: Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society
- 2022: Using technology for multilingual learning: Challenges and opportunities
- 2023: Multilingual education – a necessity to transform education
- 2024: “Multilingual education – a pillar of learning and intergenerational learning.”
International Mother Language Day Quiz 2025
3. What is the most widely spoken language in Asia-Pacific?
5. How many out of the 7,097 living languages known do not have an established writing system?
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Start Learning!International Mother Language Day Quiz 2025 PDF
International Mother Language Day is more than just a celebration; it is a call to preserve linguistic diversity and promote multilingual education. As we honor the richness of languages worldwide, we also recognize their role in fostering cultural identity, inclusion, and sustainable development. This day reminds us of the importance of protecting endangered languages and ensuring that future generations can connect with their heritage.
Let us continue to embrace and promote mother languages, not only on February 21 but throughout the year, to build a more inclusive and linguistically diverse world. Together, we can keep languages alive and celebrate the beauty of communication in all its forms.
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Start Learning!Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is International Mother Language Day?
International Mother Language Day is a global observance held on February 21 to promote linguistic diversity, multilingual education, and the preservation of all mother languages.
2. Why is International Mother Language Day celebrated on February 21?
The date commemorates the 1952 Bengali Language Movement in Bangladesh, where students lost their lives advocating for their mother language, Bangla.
3. Who established International Mother Language Day?
UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day in 1999, and it was first observed in 2000.
4. Which country has the highest number of languages?
Papua New Guinea holds the record with over 800 languages.
5. How can we celebrate International Mother Language Day?
- Organize or participate in language quizzes, competitions, and storytelling sessions.
- Promote multilingual education and local dialects.
- Share posts about your mother tongue on social media with relevant hashtags.
- Support initiatives for language preservation and documentation.
6. What is the International Decade of Indigenous Languages?
The International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032) is a global initiative by UNESCO to raise awareness about the critical loss of indigenous languages and promote actions to protect them.
