February 21 is International Mother Language Day, a day that highlights the vitality of linguistic diversity around the world. The resort in question is relatively young, with less than 25 years of history. The celebration of Mother Language Day began in 2000, chosen to mark a historic event from February 21, 1952, when students in Dhaka demonstrated in support of Bengali as a language. At that time, the region was part of Pakistan and language policy was not officially recognized. The demonstration was met with force, and lives were lost. Yet the protests grew in scope and eventually led to Bengali being recognized officially in subsequent years.
Today, the day bears the name of the language tradition and is observed, according to the State Institute of the Russian Language, alongside other major language celebrations. Bengali is noted by some scholars to have a prominent position among the world’s languages in terms of the number of native speakers, ranking higher than Russian according to certain linguistic studies.
UNESCO states that the principal aim of International Mother Language Day is to preserve linguistic and cultural diversity. The day serves as a reminder of the value of protecting cultural and linguistic differences, promoting tolerance, and respecting other languages and peoples across the globe.
In some communities, language-centered holidays can spark conversations about the present state of language use. Debates often arise over how to protect linguistic heritage while allowing natural change to occur, including the influence of borrowing from other languages and the evolution of slang and vernacular usage. These discussions underscore the tension between preserving a language and permitting its organic growth.
One may consider the metaphor of language as a parent and its child. Overshoes of protection can complicate growth. Excessive caution about slang or foreign terms can hinder communication just as overprotective care might limit a child’s development. Language evolves because speakers need to convey new ideas and experiences, and attempts to freeze it in a single form can impede effective communication.
Languages are not static. Their grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary shift over time. Yet, the core purpose of any language remains constant: to enable clear and meaningful interaction among its speakers. Certain aspects of emphasis or gender in nouns, for example, can influence how ideas are conveyed, but the ultimate test is whether the language serves effective communication across diverse communities.
Scholars have long noted the conservatism some communities display toward language change. This cautious stance often reflects a deep respect for tradition and a desire to preserve linguistic heritage. However, it is equally important to recognize that language is constantly shaped by its speakers. What is considered correct or acceptable can shift as new contexts arise and as languages borrow from others. This dynamic process is a natural part of linguistic life.
Critics sometimes argue that non-specialists approach linguistics with rigid expectations about what counts as right or wrong. Yet language thrives through continual use and adaptation. The belief that everything should remain unchanged can prevent a language from meeting contemporary communicative needs. Conversely, embracing change too aggressively can alienate long-standing speakers. Finding a balance is essential.
There is room for concern about language usage, but concern should be constructive. It is not about banning words or resisting new borrowings but about understanding how language functions in everyday life. The choice to adopt or reject new terms is ultimately up to the language itself, which tends to favor clarity and ease of communication. If a term becomes widely useful, it will persist; if not, it may fade away.
International Mother Language Day invites a thoughtful reflection: it advocates respect for linguistic and cultural diversity and encourages openness to other languages while honoring one’s own. The notion that some languages are “richer” or more powerful than others is not the point. Each language carries the heritage of its speakers and contributes to the shared human story.
Love for a native language does not mean resisting change or crying over the loss of an imagined beauty. Rather, it means accepting the language as it is, learning something new from it every day, and continually exploring its depths. There is much to learn from languages that have stood the test of time, including resilience, patience, and a willingness to adapt while staying true to core meanings.
May the holiday serve as a reminder to celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity, to respect different languages, and to approach language change with curiosity rather than fear. May it also remind readers that all languages deserve equal dignity and that each one is an essential thread in the fabric of humanity.
Happy International Mother Language Day.