The 25th annual International Mother Language Day is celebrated today, marking its silver jubilee. With over 8,000 recognized languages worldwide, Pakistan is home to nearly 80 indigenous languages, many of which face the threat of extinction.
The purpose of this global observance is to promote linguistic diversity and encourage efforts to preserve mother tongues, reinforcing the idea that despite linguistic differences, emotions, joys, and struggles are shared universally.
To commemorate the occasion, Pakistan’s 10th annual three-day language festival kicks off today in Islamabad, alongside the inauguration of the first-ever Literary Museum of Pakistani Languages, showcasing scripts, literature, and historical artifacts from over 74 indigenous languages.
Pakistan’s Linguistic Landscape
- Pakistan's linguistic diversity presents a rich cultural tapestry, where:
- Punjabi is the most widely spoken mother tongue (37%)
- Urdu, English, and Sindhi hold official status
- Urdu serves as the national link language
- Pashto ranks second (18%)
- Sindhi is spoken by nearly 14.5% of the population
- Saraiki accounts for 12%, while Balochi is spoken by 3.38%
- More than 70 other indigenous languages, many of them centuries old, are at risk of extinction
Experts call for language preservation
Dr. Najiba Arif, Chairperson of the Academy of Literature, highlighted the evolving definition of mother language, stating:
"A mother tongue can be historical or environmental. Today, Urdu serves as a common language for communication across Pakistan, while some indigenous languages are on the brink of extinction."
Former Indus Culture Forum head Munawar Hasan emphasized the role of media and technology in endangering less developed languages, adding:
"UNESCO recognized the need to protect every language as a valuable cultural asset, leading to the establishment of International Mother Language Day in 1999."
UNESCO’s Message: Love for Multilingual Diversity
Since November 17, 1999, UNESCO has observed this day annually, promoting multilingual diversity and encouraging global efforts to safeguard linguistic heritage.
As Pakistan celebrates its linguistic richness, the three-day festival and literary museum aim to preserve and document the country’s diverse languages, ensuring they remain a vibrant part of its cultural identity.
