LETTER:The International Mother Language Day on Feb 21 was declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) as an annual commemoration of linguistic and cultural diversity.
However, to achieve a comprehensive understanding of languages, cultures and traditions, it should be celebrated daily.
In the present era of globalisation, modernisation and internationalism, languages are disappearing at an alarming rate.
It is estimated that about 70 per cent of the world's languages will disappear by the end of the 21st century.
According to Unesco's Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger, approximately 230 languages have become extinct, and a third have fewer than 1,000 speakers.
Specifically, a language dies with its last speaker every fortnight. This issue is as shocking as animal extinction.
In Malaysia, there are 134 languages, with one already extinct. Of the remaining languages, 95 are classified as in danger while 13 are dying.
These figures may not be horrifying to urban folk due to their switch to global languages for various pragmatic reasons. However, for those living in rural areas, the loss of their languages indicates the loss of identity and life.
There are important reasons why languages should be continuously spoken. First, a language represents a community's culture, history, kinship and patrimony.
In other words, language and ethnicity are closely connected, and thus, the continuous use of mother languages evokes a sense of belonging to the community.
When mother languages are constantly spoken, linguistic communication reflects the identity of the respective community and subsequently contributes to creating it.
Second, language is a living culture. When inter-ethnic marriages or migration take place, mother languages are usually lost because many will switch to a common language for communication. Indeed, these are natural, on-going happenings.
Nevertheless, there are always opportunities to continue speaking mother languages, which indirectly means being part of a living culture and community.
Mother languages have cultural and symbolic values, and are essential in contributing to the establishment of an ethnicity's social class and status.
Third, being able to speak various languages, including mother languages, defines the creation of multiple identities.
Speaking global languages is usually linked to economic security and future job prospects, while speaking mother languages is connected to emotional attachment, family, and ethnic history and roots.
Therefore, speaking various languages helps in creating multiple identities, which indirectly develops into a unique personality, appreciation for the community, and promotion of values and respect for different ethnics.
In summation, we do not want the world to end up full of carbon copies, particularly within the younger generation. Therefore, it is crucial to encourage the speaking of mother languages in addition to global languages.
A nation's multilingualism is not defined by just bringing together several global languages, but by creating a sense of belonging and respect for all languages, including speaking them at all times.
DR TERESA WAI SEE ONG
Air Itam, Penang
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times