On the occasion of International Mother Language Day, people in Kolkata associated with the written word said that language, and not religion, must define human identity, and that even Bangladesh, where this particular day originated, showed that recently by rejecting an Islamist party in the elections.
“Language is the primary force of identity for any nation or community. People who lose their language lose their identity. They live under the identity of others, like dependants. When a people are deprived of their mother tongue, they lose their self-respect. So February 21 (the Mother Language Day) is a festival of language. It reminds humanity that the mother tongue is as sacred and life-giving as mother’s milk,” renowned Bengali writer Amar Mitra said.
All languages equally worthy of respect: Mamata on International Mother Language Day
“My mother tongue is Bangla, and I speak on behalf of all mother tongues. Research suggests that nearly half of the world’s 6,000 languages are endangered, with one language disappearing every two weeks. When dominant languages suppress minority languages, alienation and separatism grow. India is a multilingual country. States were reorganised on linguistic lines. All languages must receive equal dignity. In these anxious times, language — not religion — must define human identity. Only then shall we survive,” Mr. Mitra said.
