Happy International Mother Language Day

The day may be a tongue twister but the importance is evident with a dedicated day for mother languages. 

The idea for International Mother Language Day stems from promoting linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. It was initiated by Bangladesh and approved by the United Nations, Education, Science and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in 1999.

The day hopes to educate, promote and end stereotypes that some languages and their culture have.

South Africa has 11 official languages. Here are some translations of the word news in a few of our official languages:

• isiZulu: Indaba
• isiXhosa: Iindaba
• SeSotho: Madireng
• Setswana: Dikang
• Afrikaans: Nuus
• Tshivenda: Mafhungo.

This is how people around the world are promoting the day on Twitter:

Today is #MotherLanguageDay. What do you call Joburg in your home language? #ExploreJoburg 📸Bantu Frame ^NS pic.twitter.com/SWZzoNuXyb

— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) February 21, 2019

Celebrating International Mother Language day! We practiced saying “Hello” and counting to 10 in Malay, Chinese, French, Japanese, German, etc. Also listened to a version of “Let it go” that used 42 different languages throughout the song! Celebrating our diversity and community! pic.twitter.com/3lksmsnFHf

— Elizabeth (@MissLiz092012) February 21, 2019

February 21 marks the not-very-well-known day called International Mother Language Day, a holiday that was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999 to "promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism". pic.twitter.com/qlNl9ETBEv

— Kumaran Kumanan (@KumaranKumanan) February 21, 2019

https://twitter.com/tjapukai_aust/status/1098337781288456192

Today is International #MotherLanguageDay which is observed by @UNESCO to promote linguistic and cultural diversity as well as multilingualism. Languages foster sustainable development and are a powerful tool to preserve and develop both tangible and intangible heritage. pic.twitter.com/QWrxgeOWyV

— Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) February 21, 2019

Be unashamed to speak your home language. English is not a master to whom your home language should be enslaved.

All languages have the power and esteem to be used in social, academic and commercial contexts.#MotherLanguageDay

— Christo 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 (@ChristoThurston) February 21, 2019

Today is International Mother Language Day.
Our interpreters let everyone express themselves in their mother language.#IMLD#UnitedinDiversity pic.twitter.com/UkGQY76itJ

— EU Interpreters (@EUInterpreters) February 21, 2019

https://twitter.com/learnenglish/status/1098477439804719105

According to Herald Global on Twitter, a study suggests that about 50 per cent of 7 000 global languages are set to die out.

What is a nation without their mother language?
A study suggests 50% of 7000 languages spoken globally will die out. Lets celebrate whats makes up our DNA. Happy International Mother Language Day. #InternationalMotherLanguageDay pic.twitter.com/Ji6DclF8VP

— Herald Global (@ErtcMedia) February 21, 2019

Today we commemorate International Mother Language Day. @UNESCO launched the day in 1999 to raise awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and promote multilingualism. pic.twitter.com/kZHKbqMRY2

— PEN International (@pen_int) February 21, 2019

Three of our staff, whose first language is German, have taken the opportunity to address a stereotype this International Mother Language day. #MotherLanguageDay #Mother_Tongue pic.twitter.com/PfLhH4QV7A

— Tonkin + Taylor (@TonkinTaylor) February 21, 2019

Tell us how you maintain your mother language for future generations on the  Alex News Facebook page