Language Movement Day 2024: February 21 marks the observance of Language Movement Day. This day is in remembrance of the individuals who gave their lives in defense of their language. Bangladesh observes a national holiday on this day. Language Movement Day is an alternative designation for State Language Day.
The observance honors the martyrs of the Bengali language movements. People all around the world come together to celebrate and honor the rich tapestry of cultural and linguistic diversity. Furthermore, West Bengal, an Indian state that borders Bangladesh, also observes the day. West Bengal holds Shahid Dibash, also known as Bhasha Dibas, with great regard and devotion.
Language Movement Day: History
Language is a potent instrument that facilitates effortless communication with others. We engage in the majority of our communication via verbal channels. Proximate and action-oriented, the earliest forms of language are estimated to have existed for as long as 1.8 million years. Historically, the primary functions of communication were to facilitate hunting, sustenance sharing, mate selection, and herb gathering.
Nonetheless, as Homo sapiens progressed, our intelligence vastly increased. Language evolution occurred concurrently with human civilizations. The emergence of spoken language occurred approximately 50,000 years ago. Even though certainty is unattainable, words do not produce fossilized remains.
The emergence of the earliest written languages occurred around 3000 BCE. Sumerian is widely regarded as the world’s earliest extant written language. In addition to Hebrew, Sanskrit, Egyptian, and Sanskrit, additional ancient civilizations also gave rise to written languages. With the expansion of human politics throughout Asia and Europe, these languages evolved into additional regional dialects. Bengali originated from Magadhi Prakrit, a language that was in use as of 1000 A.D.
Over 300 million people speak Bengali, a widely spoken language. British armies left India after colonial rule. Britain split India into East Pakistan, West Pakistan, and India. West Pakistan once ruled East Pakistan. Although Bengali was East Pakistan’s main language, their contact with it was minimal. The two factions disagreed on the official language.
The Bengali Language Movement increased hostility toward Urdu as the national language. After clashes and disturbances, police shot and killed student demonstrators. The movement’s success led to nationalistic enthusiasm and Bangladesh’s founding.
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Language Movement Day: FAQs
Who was the first martyr of a language?
Rafiquddin Ahmed was assassinated in 1952 while actively participating in the Bengali Language Movement in East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh).
Who are the individuals known as “language martyrs”?
Shafiur Rahman, Abul Barkat, Abdul Jabbar, Rafiquddin Ahmed, and Abdus Salam hold great importance as language martyrs in Bangladesh.
Define Bhasha Dibas.
The festival Bhasha Dibas is analogous to Shahid Dibas, also known as Language Martyrs’ Day. It is observed with equal degrees of reverence and zeal in West Bengal.
Language Movement Day 2024: Activities
Enumerate every language.
The world contains thousands of languages, each of which has its own set of dialects. Try to compile a comprehensive inventory of every language’s locations and birth years.
Dialogue concerning language discrimination
Language discrimination continues to be a significant problem in numerous regions across the globe. However, the news is not gaining the necessary amount of prominence. Attempt to disseminate such information and aid in bringing attention to language discrimination.
Make an effort to master a second language.
Every individual is proficient in at least one language. Developing another can be difficult. Commence learning another language today.
Language Day 2024: Why is Language Day significant?
Five Fascinating Language Facts You Should Be Aware Of
Quantity Of Tongues
Globally, 2,700 distinct languages are spoken, each of which contains more than 7,000 dialects.
The least widely used language
The Busuu language is the least widely spoken, with only a smattering of speakers remaining.
The bilingual populace
Approximately 50% of the global populace possesses proficiency in dual languages.
The nation with the greatest variety of languages
Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically varied nation, with over 840 languages.
Ancient vernacular
Following Sumerian as the earliest extant written language is the Egyptian language.
Language Movement Day 2024: Importance
We cherish diversity.
We cherish diversity, and it brings us even greater joy to maintain unity amidst it. Today is an ideal occasion to emphasize the significance of valuing and accepting the beauty and significance of other languages and embracing their diversity.
It is the Day to Put an End to Discrimination
Literal discrimination exists, and we must take action to combat it. Today is an ideal time to consolidate these actions into a distinct movement.
It is a day to bring attention to the language’s martyrs’ sacrifice.
Thousands of individuals have lost their lives defending the language. Today is a day to honor those courageous individuals.
Language Movement Day: Dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | February 21 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | February 21 | Friday |
| 2026 | February 21 | Saturday |
| 2027 | February 21 | Sunday |
| 2028 | February 21 | Monday |
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