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International Mother Language Day 2026 highlights multilingual education, cultural diversity, and pride in your mother tongue celebrated worldwide on February 21.
International Mother Language Day 2026 theme is, Youth voices on multilingual education. (AI generated image)
International Mother Language Day, observed on February 21, serves as a global reminder of the value of mother tongues and multilingual education. The annual observance underscores how languages are central not only to cultural identity, but also to social cohesion, equitable education and long-term development across societies.
The theme for 2026 is “Youth voices on multilingual education.”
International Mother Language Day 2026: History
The origins of International Mother Language Day are rooted in a defining chapter of modern history. The date commemorates a moment of resistance and sacrifice in Bangladesh, where language became a rallying point for rights and identity.
In 1952, students in Dhaka led protests demanding official recognition for Bangla as a state language. Demonstrations on February 21 turned deadly, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s history and underscoring the idea that language is fundamental to human dignity.
The significance of that struggle gained global recognition decades later. In November 1999, UNESCO formally declared February 21 as International Mother Language Day, a move endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002. The day has since been observed worldwide to promote multilingualism and cultural diversity.
International Mother Language Day 2026: Significance
According to the United Nations (UN), languages sit at the heart of identity, education, social cohesion and development, shaping how communities connect and the world around them. Yet the forces of globalisation are accelerating their decline, pushing many languages towards extinction.
“When languages fade, so does the world’s rich tapestry of cultural diversity. Opportunities, traditions, memory, unique modes of thinking and expression — valuable resources for ensuring a better future — are also lost,” the UN says.
Languages sustain multilingual and multicultural societies by carrying forward traditional knowledge in ways that support long-term cultural continuity. International Mother Language Day is marked annually to reinforce the importance of protecting this linguistic diversity, as per the UN.
International Mother Language Day 2026: Wishes
- May your mother tongue continue to echo in your heart and home. Happy International Mother Language Day!
- Wishing you pride in every syllable of your mother tongue. Celebrate your roots today!
- May our languages thrive for generations. Happy International Mother Language Day 2026!
- Here’s to cherishing Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, and every Indian tongue. Happy International Mother Language Day 2026!
- Let your mother tongue guide your thoughts and dreams forever. Best wishes!
International Mother Language Day 2026: Quotes
- Our languages are the rivers that feed the ocean of Indian culture.
- To lose your mother tongue is to lose a part of your heart.
- Every language is a universe; every speaker, a guardian of that world.
- From the streets of Kolkata to the villages of Kerala, languages unite us.
- Diversity in languages is diversity in thought: protect it fiercely
International Mother Language Day 2026: Messages
- Greetings! In a world of many voices, let’s honour the first one we ever heard: our mother tongue.
- Warm wishes! Our mother tongues are bridges between the past and the future.
- Hello! Let’s teach our children to love and learn in their mother tongue.
- Greetings! May our linguistic tapestry grow ever more colourful.
- Wishing peace, pride, and prosperity through our diverse languages.
February 21, 2026, 07:20 IST
