International Mother Language Day has been observed every year on 21 February since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. It’s also the day that the Bangla language was officially accepted in Bangladesh. According to UNESCO, “Linguistic diversity is increasingly threatened as more and more languages disappear. Globally 40 percent of the population does not have access to an education in a language they speak or understand.” There are around 6,500 languages spoken around the world, but did you know that a language disappears and dies every two weeks? It’s important to raise awareness of all the different languages in the world, cultural and linguistic diversity is important for sustainable societies.
Nelson Mandela once said, ‘If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.’ CTG has a diverse team of professionals from around the world with different native languages. To celebrate International Mother Language Day and share our cultural and linguistic diversity, we asked our staff and consultants to share their favourite phrase or saying with us in their mother language.
“It’s a common Shona proverb which advocates for teamwork and togetherness”
“It’s a quote from Kahlil Gibran’s book “The Prophet.” He was a Lebanese writer/ poet and artist.”
“This means that people can effect great changes through united efforts.”
“Everyone will, at some time in their life, be successful or lucky.”
“It means that sincere efforts should not be discouraged.”
“It means that strength alone is not enough, you need to be cunning too.”
“It means there is virtue in moderation.”
