The UIS International Student Services (ISS) held a table event at the Student Union on Feb. 20, to raise awareness of International Mother Language Day, which was Feb. 21. First created by The United Nation’s Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UENSCO) in 1999, International Mother Language Day to highlight the value of linguistic and cultural diversity worldwide, helping people recognize and respect different languages and cultures.
“Our office hopes to promote multiculturalism and multilingualism on campus, which we believe will support our international students and enrich the educational experience of domestic students,” said Erika Suzuki, program coordination of the Office of International Student Services.
The ISS table event aimed to raise awareness of UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day and to support its mission within the campus community. The goal is to help students, faculty, and staff better understand the importance of protecting languages and to encourage appreciation for the wide variety of cultures represented on campus.
For the individuals whose mother tongue is not English, this promotion is a great opportunity to represent their culture and help others to connect with different traditions and beliefs. Knowing different languages and their cultures helps preserve cultural heritage and strengthens communication across generations.
“This event is really good, and my mother tongue language was represented at this table well,” said Deepthi Bere, a UIS international graduate student from India.
UIS has a diverse student population, including many international students. By highlighting mother languages, the campus can create a welcoming environment that celebrates multiculturalism.
Supporting language diversity not only helps international students feel recognized and valued, but it also enriches the educational experience of domestic students. Exposure to different languages and cultures broadens perspectives and fosters greater cultural understanding across the campus community.
In addition to sharing information, the ISS table event engaged students with activities designed to teach them about language diversity on campus. One activity involved teaching students words and phrases in different languages spoken on campus. The table also encouraged students to share and express their own mother languages. This interactive space encouraged individuals to celebrate their linguistic heritage and learn from one another.
According to Suzuki, there are approximately 6,000 to 7,000 languages spoken worldwide, but nearly 40% of these languages are considered endangered. When a language disappears, an entire system of knowledge, cultural practices, and history can disappear with it.
UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day promotes cultural and linguistic diversity as an essential foundation for sustainable and inclusive societies. By encouraging awareness and respect for different languages, communities can better appreciate global diversity and create environments where cultural differences are valued rather than lost.
Overall, the event served as both an educational experience and cultural celebration. By highlighting the importance of language preservation and cultural diversity, the UIS community can support UNESCO’s mission while strengthening connections among students from diverse backgrounds. Through awareness and participation, the campus can help ensure that linguistic diversity continues to be recognized, respected, and preserved for future generations.
