LK INNOVATE

By Dr Lokman Khan, Bradford

Every year on 21 February, people around the world celebrate International Mother Language Day, a day to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. But do you know the origin of this day and its significance for the people of Bangladesh?

The story goes back to 1947, when the partition of India and Pakistan created two separate states based on religion. East Bengal, which had a Muslim majority, became part of Pakistan, while West Bengal, which had a Hindu majority, joined India. However, the two parts of Pakistan were not only geographically separated by India, but also culturally and linguistically different. While the people of West Pakistan spoke Urdu, the people of East Pakistan spoke Bangla, a language with a rich literary and cultural heritage.

In 1948, the government of Pakistan declared Urdu as the sole national language of the country, ignoring the fact that more than half of the population spoke Bangla. This sparked a protest among the students and intellectuals of East Pakistan, who demanded that Bangla be recognized as one of the state languages, along with Urdu. They argued that language was not only a means of communication, but also a symbol of identity, culture, and history.

The government of Pakistan tried to suppress the movement by banning public meetings and rallies. On 21 February 1952, a group of students defied the ban and marched towards the provincial assembly in Dhaka, the capital of East Pakistan, to present their demand. The police opened fire on the peaceful protesters, killing several of them. The victims, who came to be known as the language martyrs, became the icons of the movement and inspired millions of people to join the cause.

The language movement continued for several years, until the government of Pakistan finally accepted Bangla as a state language in 1956. However, the movement also ignited a sense of nationalism and self-determination among the people of East Pakistan, who felt discriminated and exploited by the West Pakistani rulers. The language movement paved the way for the subsequent political and social movements that eventually led to the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971.

The people of Bangladesh have never forgotten the sacrifice of the language martyrs and the importance of their mother tongue. Every year, they commemorate 21 February as Shaheed Dibash (Martyrs’ Day) and pay tribute to the fallen heroes at the Shaheed Minar (Martyrs’ Monument) in Dhaka. They also celebrate Bangla as a source of pride, creativity, and diversity.

In 1999, UNESCO declared 21 February as International Mother Language Day, in recognition of the language movement in Bangladesh and its contribution to the promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity around the world. Since then, the day has been observed by various countries and organizations, with different themes and activities. The theme for 2024 is “Multilingual education is a pillar of intergenerational learning”.

According to UNESCO, there are about 7,000 languages in the world, but 40% of them are in danger of disappearing. Moreover, 40% of the world’s population does not have access to education in their mother language. UNESCO advocates for multilingual education based on mother tongue or first language, as it facilitates learning, literacy, and the acquisition of additional languages. Multilingual education also fosters inclusion, respect, and dialogue among different cultures and worldviews.

The celebration of International Mother Language Day is especially relevant for the Bangladeshi diaspora, who live in various countries and face the challenge of preserving their linguistic and cultural identity. According to the 2021 UK census, there are about 600,000 people of Bangladeshi origin in the UK, mostly concentrated in London, Birmingham, and Manchester. They speak mainly Sylheti, a dialect of Bangla, as well as English.

The British-Bangladeshi community has made significant contributions to the social, economic, and political life of the UK, but also faced discrimination, racism, and poverty. They have struggled to balance their dual identity and heritage, and to pass on their mother language and culture to the younger generations. Some of the initiatives that they have taken to promote and preserve their mother language include:

• Establishing community schools and centres that offer Bangla language classes and cultural activities for children and adults.
• Organizing events and festivals that showcase Bangla literature, music, art, and cuisine.
• Participating in the International Mother Language Day celebrations and campaigns, such as the annual walk from Altab Ali Park to Trafalgar Square in London, where a replica of the Shaheed Minar is erected.
• Supporting the development of Bangla language resources and materials, such as dictionaries, textbooks, newspapers, and websites.
• Advocating for the recognition and inclusion of Bangla language in the mainstream education system and public services.

The British-Bangladeshi community has also been active in raising awareness and solidarity for the causes and issues related to Bangladesh, such as the liberation war, the Rohingya crisis, and the climate change impacts. They have also maintained strong ties and exchanges with their homeland, through remittances, visits, and collaborations.

The International Mother Language Day is not only a day to celebrate the diversity and richness of languages, but also a day to reflect on the power and responsibility of languages. Languages are not only tools for communication, but also vehicles for expression, identity, and knowledge. They are not only assets for individuals, but also resources for societies. They are not only inherited from the past, but also created for the future.

As the people of Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi diaspora mark the International Mother Language Day 2024, they can take pride in their mother language and its history, but also commit to its preservation and promotion. They can also appreciate and respect the mother languages of others, and embrace the opportunities and benefits of multilingualism. They can also remember and honour the words of the poet Rabindranath Tagore, who wrote in Bangla:

“If you don’t speak your own language, who will speak it for you?”