Imran Sarwar (12)  International Mother Language Day is a day when we can say “Mum, I LOVE YOU” in her own language. In 1999, UNESCO declared that the 21st of February would be International Mother Language Day. But do we really need to learn our mother language? Of course we do. Our mother language is one of the strongest bonds between us and our mothers. Being able to speak, read and write in our mother language is the best way to show respect to our mothers.But how can we learn our mother language? My mother language is Bangla. I am a student in Bangla School at Blacktown and I learn something new every Sunday. Most Bangla children can speak Bangla but they cannot read or write. And also, if you want to be close with your mother there must be no language barrier; and to have no language barrier means you must be able to speak, read and write your mother language. This is why I go to Bangla School every Sunday; to have a good relationship with my mother. Also, being able to speak, read and write your mother language helps understand your mother and her culture. Learning a new language can help increase brainpower, develop confidence, improve employability and also helps to become more open-minded. The United Nations estimates that half of the six thousand languages spoken today will disappear by the end of the century if nothing is done to protect native languages and their culturally diverse history. But what can we do to protect our mother languages. Learn our mother language and help pass our mother language down from generation to generation. So please, take the opportunity to protect and build harmony between the languages. In this International Mother Language Day, ‘My Language My Freedom’ seminar, I am taking the opportunity to show my respect to my mother and her language by saying “Mum, I love you” in her own language. মা আমি তোমাকে ভালোবাসি। Thank you. Imran Sarwar, Year 7 Student at Penrith Selective High School, NSW Australia |
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Home Page Published on: 31-Mar-2016 
