About IMLM_Canberra

Mother language refers to the first language learned at home by a child. On 17 November 1999, UNESCO announced to observe International Mother Language Day annually on 21 February worldwide to promote awareness of linguistic, cultural diversity and multilingualism. This UNESCO decision was prompted by the extraordinary efforts over a few years initiated by expatriate Bangladeshis. Bangladeshis took the lead to ensure global recognition of this significance of all mother languages.

The history behind the ground breaking initiatives and the UNESCO decision had its foundation in Bangladesh and in Bangla (Bengali) language. In Bangladesh, 21st February is a commemoration in recognition of a historic campaign in 1952 to have Bangla as the national language. On that sad yet very proud historic day, a number of students of University of Dhaka and common people were killed by police and army in Dhaka during Bangla Language Movement protests. In fact the language movement of 1952 in Bangladesh (East Pakistan at that time) worked as a key inspiration for Bangladesh to achieve its independence in 1971.

To commemorate this movement, a solemn and symbolic sculpture was erected in the place of the massacre in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The day is revered in Bangladesh and to somewhat lesser extent, in West Bengal in India as the Language Martyr’s Day. To echo the same respect for mother languages, many cities of the world followed the track of Bangladesh and already established ‘Mother Language Monuments’. Tokyo built a replica of the original monument of Bangladesh (Shaheed Minar), monuments were also built in Ashfield Park, Sydney, London and Oldham in the United Kingdom, Bari of Italy and Surrey of Canada and few other cities.
To commemorate the global movement of acknowledging significance of the mother languages of various countries around the world – the Bangladeshi-Australian community would like to take the lead in campaigning and establishing another movement to enhance 21st February. A day of national significance, celebrated across Australia to respect not only the growing numbers of mother languages in Australia but also to preserve the traditional indigenous languages, some of which are in the verge of getting lost.

We propose to commence a three year plan involving increasing community awareness, fund raising activity to support language conservation and also to erect an International Mother Language Monument (IMLM) on a land of national significance in Canberra, Australia. This movement will allow us to commemorate 21 of February every year as the ‘International Mother Language Day’ to signify global importance of all mother languages.

This International Mother Language Movement (IMLM) will recognise the linguistic diversity of Australia and the world. This movement will complement the spirit and practical measures to conserve our indigenous languages and all endangered languages in the world and respect linguistic diversity of our community. The movement will include plans to encourage variety of community activities with the 'Multilingual Focus’ to celebrate mother languages across the globe.

This movement will present Australia as the world leader by not only recognising 21 February as a day of national significance but also its commitment to preserve mother languages from all over the world including its own indigenous languages.

The Bangladeshi-Australian community in Canberra would like to take the bulk of the responsibility to lead the movement in partnership with all Australian communities including the indigenous community, multicultural peak bodies, diplomatic missions, universities and ethnic language school network.