What is your language?

International Mother Language Day marks its 15th anniversary in 2015 and aims to promote linguistic and cultural diversity.

On 21 February, take pride in your mother language particularly in our country where there is so much diversity.

Reitumetse Kgasoe is a proud Tswana woman in Weltevreden Park who said it is important that we do not ever forget our roost and languages.

“In our current society, we put our children in English speaking schools very early on and while there is nothing wrong with that, we need to strike a balance. We still need to communicate with them in their mother language, because it is a part of who they are.”

South Africa, with its 11 official languages is the perfect place to start on the day, whether you want to improve your knowledge about your mother language or learn about a different one, there is no going wrong.

Languages provide the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. The day promotes the dissemination of mother language will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and education but also develop our awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions.

Kgasoe added that language is a great way to connect people of all backgrounds. “When you interact with someone that speaks your mother tongue or vice versa, it is much easier to understand and form relationships. You relate to them better and they to you.”