Dimapur, Feb. 23: A programme marking International Mother Language Day was held at C-Edge College in Dimapur from the 21st of February to the 23rd. The event was observed with the aim to promoting “awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and preservation of multi-lingualism through the unrelenting spirit,” a press release from the institution stated on February 23.
The event was hosted by Vitsusie Savino, assistant professor and head of department of Sociology, who highlighted the theme of the 2017 International Mother Language Day “towards sustainable future through multi-lingual education”.
The significance of Mother Language Day was highlighted by Wapangla Imchen, assistant professor and head of department of Management. She stressed on the “genesis of ILMD”.
Imchen spoke about the importance of observing and celebrating said event saying that “such a day where it is the birth right of every nation and every race to speak in their own language or mother tongue, and that it also helps to preserve all the languages of the world and that the diversity of languages is important to maintain cultural identity and distinction.” “The event had interesting, fun and learning line-up of events such as word list of the different dialects of the tribes in Nagaland, followed by elocution based on storytelling in Yimchunger, Sumi and Lotha mother tongue,” the organisers stated.
Another highlight was a presentation about a romantic Ao folk song that started with “Atem”– an eulogy which is a practice among the Ao Naga “representing high introduction where the person introduce oneself drawing lineage from one’s genealogy, ancestry or even extraordinary feats performed and achieved.”
Further, the organisers informed about a quiz event “on deep and meaningful words of various Naga tribes which were presented to the students to translate it.”
The program ended with hymn sung in different Naga dialects by students of the college, the press release stated.
International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual observance held on February 21 to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. First announced by the UNESCO on November 17, 1999, it was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution establishing 2008 as the International Year of Languages.
On 16 May 2009 the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/61/266, called on its member states “to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by people of the world”.
In the resolution, the General Assembly proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages to promote unity in diversity and international understanding through multilingualism and multiculturalism.
The resolution was suggested by Rafiqul Islam,a Bengali living in Vancouver, Canada. He wrote a letter to Mr. Kofi Anan on 9 January 1998 asking him to take a step for saving all the languages of the world from the possibility of extinction and to declare an International Mother Language Day. (Source: Wikipedia)
