Did you know there are 8,324 languages spoken around the world today? However, many of these languages are at risk of disappearing. International Mother Language Day, celebrated on 21st February, is a celebration of the diversity of languages. It highlights the importance of linguistic diversity and the need to protect endangered languages.
What is a mother language?
Your mother language (also called your home language, mother tongue, native language or heritage language) is the first language a person learns from birth. It is the language used in daily life, often passed down through generations within families and communities. Some mother languages are indigenous to specific regions, while others spread through migration. These languages play a crucial role in shaping the way people think, express themselves, and connect with their heritage.
Why is it important to preserve mother languages?
Language is more than just words – it carries culture, history, and traditions. Here’s why protecting mother languages is important:
- Cultural preservation
Languages carry cultural traditions, values, and history. Preserving them means keeping stories, songs, and customs alive for future generations. - Linguistic diversity
While dominant international languages like English or Spanish might only have one word to describe something important to them like rain or snow, some languages have multiple words to explain things that are important to them. This diversity encourages respect and understanding between different communities. Strong language diversity means we can learn from each other’s views and experiences. - Knowledge transfer
Some languages carrying distinct history and culture exist mostly in oral / spoken form, passed down through conversation and storytelling. If they disappear, this information may be lost forever.
What does it mean if a language is ‘endangered’?
Endangered languages are languages that have only a few speakers left. According to UNESCO, there are several levels of endangerment:
- Vulnerable: Children still learn the language, but use is decreasing.
- Definitely endangered: Children no longer learn it as their first language.
- Severely endangered: Only older generations speak it.
- Critically endangered: Only a few elderly speakers remain.
- Extinct: No speakers left.
What are some examples of endangered languages?
When a language becomes critically endangered, only a handful of people can still speak it fluently. Here are some examples of endangered and vulnerable languages:
- Ainu (Hokkaido, Japan) – Critically endangered
Ainu is a language isolate, meaning it is not clearly related to any other language. It is traditionally an oral language with rich myths and rituals. Today, there are only a handful of fluent speakers. - Livonian (Latvia) – Critically endangered
This is a Finnic language once spoken along Latvia’s coast. Its grammar and folklore reveal the culture and history of the Livonian people. There are currently efforts to document and teach it in schools and universities. - N|uu (South Africa) – Critically endangered
N|uu is one of the oldest languages in South Africa and you might have heard it before with its distinctive click sounds. There are currently very few speakers left. - Mapudungun (Chile and Argentina) – Definitely endangered
Mapudungun is deeply tied to the Mapuche people’s identity and their respect for nature. It’s still spoken in Chile and Argentina but is being replaced by Spanish among younger generations. - Scottish Gaelic (Scotland) – Vulnerable
Scottish Gaelic has influenced Scotland’s culture and literature for centuries and is vital to Scotland’s cultural identity. While it is still spoken in the Highlands and Scottish islands, it is at risk without continued support. There is a growing movement to teach Gaelic in schools and at community events.
How can we protect and preserve languages?
Every language, whether spoken by thousands or just a few people, represents a unique way of understanding the world. It’s important to protect and preserve these languages.
- Promote bilingual education: Learning more than one language often helps children in a variety of ways and helps keep a culture and heritage alive.
- Use and celebrate mother languages: Speaking and writing in these languages keeps them alive.
- Learn about other cultures: Understanding different cultures sparks curiosity and often leads to learning a new language or appreciating the diversity of a language.
Do you speak a mother language that is at risk? How is it being preserved in your community? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Interactive Quiz: Match the Definitions
Match the terms with their correct definitions:
- Mother language
- Endangered language
- Cultural preservation
- Bilingual education
- Language isolate
Billie Jago is an ELT writer and teacher trainer specialising in digital learning materials and assessment resources. She has written for various well-known coursebooks, and writes items for high stakes exams such as the PTE, OTE, IELTS and Cambridge. Alongside materials writing, she delivers international teacher training sessions and is the founder of the ELTcpd professional development platform and YouTube channel. She is also the co-founder of the educational consultancy, OtterEducation.
