International Mother Language Day today

International Mother Language Day today
x
Highlights

The celebration of International Mother Language Day on February 21, as decided by the UNESCO to promote the language, becomes all the more important as the Telugu language, spoken by about 10 crore people in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states, appears to be losing its relevance fast along with several other languages used by tribals. Similar is the fate of those languages spoken by many Ind

Hyderabad: The celebration of International Mother Language Day on February 21, as decided by the UNESCO to promote the language, becomes all the more important as the Telugu language, spoken by about 10 crore people in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states, appears to be losing its relevance fast along with several other languages used by tribals. Similar is the fate of those languages spoken by many Indians. In fact, Girijan dialects seem to be fast disappearing and virtually fighting for survival, so to say.

One of the main reasons for not using Telugu at optimal level as mother language could be attributed to more and more people adopting English language. This aspect has more impact on the relevance of a community, its survival, relationships, unity in society, education and development, besides other aspects of human life. Study of mother language, particularly by children, is necessary as they learn it even while in mother’s womb!


HIGHLIGHTS:

  • More Telugus adopting to use English language
  • As many as 200 languages discontinued in India since last century

Even the newborn cries in its mother language, according to a research carried out by German scientists. It is also a proven fact that children during the first three months get to learn more about their native language, showing the close link between infants and their mothers.

In such a situation, lack of patronage to one’s mother language can cause huge damage, both in the fields of culture and science and technology, which can’t be recouped even after hundreds of years.

For the past century, usage of about 6,000 languages was discontinued, according to the UN. Among them 200 languages are reportedly from India. Interestingly, only three persons in Telangana can now read and write Gondu script!

The fast vanishing use of languages can be saved by, particularly of Girijans by taking up study in their mother language in the ITDA-run institution. A school can be set up in Hyderabad to encourage those, who come forward to study the language, along with promoting its usage by the people.

While several European countries spend huge amounts to promote use of mother languages by the local people, it was not given much importance in India, as it evident from suggestions by the governments in the Telugu-speaking states.

Show Full Article
Print Article
Next Story
More Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENTS