International Mother Language Day is celebrated annually on February 21. The theme for 2026 is “Youth voices on multilingual education.” This is in recognition of the importance of young people in the preservation and promotion of mother languages in a globalised world.
The celebration of International Mother Language Day is a reminder that language is more than just a tool for communication. It is a foundation of identity, culture, and collective memory. The day is marked by seminars, literary programs, and campaigns to encourage people to cherish and preserve their mother languages.
Also Read | From Atal Setu to Yamuna Expressway: A look at India’s costliest toll routes
A day rooted in sacrifice
The origins of the day trace back to 1952, when students in Dhaka protested for the recognition of Bangla as one of the state languages of then Pakistan. On February 21 that year, several demonstrators were killed during police action, an event that later became a defining moment in the country’s linguistic and political history.
In recognition of that sacrifice, UNESCO declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day in November 1999. The observance received formal recognition from the United Nations General Assembly in 2002 and has since been marked globally to promote multilingualism and cultural diversity.
Why it remains significant
As stated by the United Nations, languages are at the heart of education, integration, and sustainable development. They determine how knowledge, traditions, and values are passed down from one generation to the next in communities.
The United Nations has also warned that many languages are endangered because of globalisation and changes in social behavior. When a language dies, special forms of cultural expression, traditional knowledge systems, and modes of thinking disappear with it.
Also Read | Delhi on terror alert over suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba's plot to target temple near Red Fort: Report
For multilingual countries like India, the day is of special importance. Whether it is Hindi and Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam, and any other languages, the linguistic diversity of the country is an important part of its social fabric.
As the International Mother Language Day 2026 is celebrated around the world, the emphasis is on encouraging young voices to take part in discussions about inclusive and multilingual education, so that local languages continue to flourish alongside global languages.
