The nation held several programs today to commemorate International Mother Language Day. Speaking at the Mother Language National Poetry Festival-2078 BS organized by Nepal Academy and UNSECO on the occasion of International Mother Language Day, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun said language is a unique identity of every community and nation. VP Pun added no country can develop and prosper without language because all historical works must be properly documented through the medium of language.
Pun stated, “Nepal has over a hundred ethnic communities and is rich in language, art, and culture, among other things. It is difficult to establish a country if no language is developed.” The VP emphasized the importance of preserving our languages, art, culture, and distinctive traditions, stating that 40% of languages are on the verge of extinction.
The VP expressed his fear that the Nepali language and other mother tongues were on the verge of extinction as a result of excessive use of the English language, saying, “It is fine to learn any language, but it is not good to forget one’s own language, art, and culture.”
On a different note, VP Pun emphasized the importance of resolving issues and establishing national agreements on some of the country’s current challenges.
The host organizations i.e. Nepal Academy, Language Commission, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) also held a cultural procession of different ethnic communities today to preserve and protect mother languages, especially those that are disappearing. The organizations emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to safeguard dwindling mother tongues.
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On Sunday, the three groups held a lecture event titled “Mother Language and Mother Language Literature” to commemorate the occasion. On this occasion, four working papers were given.
Similarly, Prem Bahadur Ale, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation stated that we could not fathom any historical material without languages and advocated for language preservation. “Language defines one’s true identity. As a result, the necessity of the hour is to save languages that are on the verge of extinction.” He also stated that the ministry was totally devoted to the preservation and maintenance of Nepalese languages, arts, and cultures.
Since 2000, when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed the day in 1999, February 21 has been observed as International Mother Language Day. Since February 21, 2000, it has been observed all around the world. The declaration was made as a tribute to the Bangladeshi language movement (then the East Pakistanis).
Since the year 2000, Nepal has been commemorating International Mother Language Day in a distinctive way.
According to a recent study, two languages are lost every 15 days across the world. Nepal’s national census in 2011 recorded 123 languages. In 2019, the Language Commission added six new languages.