45% of the 7,000 languages spoken all over the world are endangered, according to the UN.
The Endangered Languages Project’s map shows that in the British Isles alone, there are nine endangered languages. Two of which – Irish Gaelic and Scots – are classed as ‘severely endangered’.
Celebrated internationally for the first time in 2000, the UN’s International Mother Language Day aims to protect linguistic and cultural diversity. The UN recently celebrated the day’s 25th anniversary on the 21 February with a series of online and in person events about the importance of multilingualism.
The day aims to safeguard the thousands of endangered or dying languages falling victim to conflict, climate change, globalisation and prejudice – meaning International Mother Language Day remains a much needed cornerstone of language preservation on its 25th anniversary.
The Milaap Centre is a Kingston-based charity that offers linguistically and culturally tailored care for senior citizens.
Sheetal Shettigar, Centre Manager at Milaap Multicultural Day Centre, said: “If we don’t celebrate such days, we will lose our traditions. We will lose our languages and the cultural nuances that come with the language.
“As members age and as they are diagnosed with dementia, they go back. It’s almost as if their mother language becomes dominant. Talking the same language brings joy to them.
“It’s really a good thing because if you are able to speak in your mother tongue to the person who is providing you a service, you are able to express your issues properly to them. They are able to understand you better and provide the care that is best suited for you.”
According to the UN, the Uyghurs face likely “crimes against humanity” at the hands of the Chinese government – including cultural and linguistic erasure.
End the Uyghur Genocide (EUG) is a US-based organisation that campaigns for Uyghur rights through education and legislation.
Amina Omar, HR manager and lead member of EUG, said: “Celebrations like International Mother Language Day are especially valuable for us Uyghurs, since they highlight the significance of linguistic diversity and cultural preservation in the face of systemic oppression.”
She added: “My momaka (grandmother) has always told me that when we preserve and promote our language and culture, we can represent ourselves authentically on the global stage.”
The power of multilingualism is something that Huda, 21, a Political Theory MA student at the University of Sheffield, also emphasised.
Her mother tongue is English, and she is fluent in Urdu.
Huda said: “When you commit to learning a new language you are almost unlocking a different dimension. You can think about things differently and approach things differently.
“That’s almost a superpower and that’s something that bilinguals and polyglots can wield to their advantage.”
