The International Mother Language Institute, established by Bangladesh as a Category II institute of UNESCO has conducted an ethno-linguistic survey and found that:
Even in our overwhelmingly mono-linguistic country where about 150 million people have Bengali as their mother tongue, there are 41 other languages in existence and about 15 of the country’s languages are vulnerable as only from about 50 to 3,000 people speak in that language.
These are Soura, Koda, Mundari, Kol, Malto, Kondo, Khumi, Pangkhuya, Chak, Kiyang, Rengmicha, Lusai, Kahria, Deshwali and Laleng/Patra.
The authors, summarizing their experiences and looking to the future, have outlined directions for future efforts:
The research and documentation conducted by the International Mother Language Institute need to be accelerated and deepened to create a comprehensive archive of the languages of Bangladesh. Additionally, the transmission of these languages should be further supported, particularly by promoting storytelling and enhancing educational initiatives.
International Mother Language Day (IMLD) 2024 in Bangladesh is a landmark event in the global effort to preserve linguistic diversity and promote mother-tongue-based education. The celebration on 21 February 2024, inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the International Mother Language Institute, was not just a local observance but a global call to action, reflecting UNESCO’s commitment to linguistic and cultural preservation.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the medium for education in educational institutions should be everyone’s mother tongue.
“I think that our medium for education should be in our mother tongue. Besides, there should be scope to learn other languages too. That’s what I trust. If anyone gets education through their mother tongue then receiving that education, knowing that education, understanding that education would become much easier,” she said.
