language wired

RMC official studies Maori language

2004-02-27T13:22:00.000Z

Billings Gazette
"Over the last 25 years, Maoris have developed language-immersion schools in which Maori is spoken exclusively by students, teachers and staff.

Language immersion programs in the United States are a well-kept secret, Pease said.

The 50 programs that exist range from family based learning groups in which two great-grandparents teach their great-grandchildren their native language to multilevel schools in which the entire curriculum - including playground and lunchroom conversations - is taught in a native language."

Poll: Spanish remains language of choice for S. Florida’s Cuban-Americans

2004-02-27T13:12:00.000Z

Sun-Sentinel: South Florida news

"'[Languages] give you so much understanding toward everything,' "

"Spanish is the language of choice for South Florida's Cuban-American community, according to a poll being released today.

Spanish is the language of choice for South Florida's Cuban-American community ... It's the language they use most often at home and at work -- and the language they prefer to get their news in. Speaking Spanish opens doors when it comes to jobs, many of those surveyed said, a fact endorsed by language education and employment experts.

"The research ... indicates that being bilingual is actually a very positive thing in terms of cognitive development"

English Ebbs As World Linguage

2004-02-27T12:52:00.000Z

CBS News
"The idea that English will become the world language is outdated, with the future more likely to see people switching between two or more languages for routine communications"

Chinese and Hindi likely to dethrone English!

2004-02-27T12:48:00.000Z

Webindia123
"For the young generation of 15- to 24-year-olds, English was expected to slip to fourth place in the language 'league'. Chinese would still dominate, with 166 million native speakers aged 15 to 24."

Share of people who are native English speakers declining

2004-02-27T12:44:00.000Z

San Diego Union Tribune
"'There is a distinct consciousness in many countries, both developed and developing, about this dominance of English. There is some evidence of resistance to it, a desire to change it,'

For example, he said, in the early years of the Internet it was dominated by sites in English, but in recent years there has been a proliferation of non-English sites, especially Spanish, German, French, Japanese and others."

English Said No Longer Dominant Language

2004-02-27T12:32:00.000Z

AJC
"`the global share of English is much larger if you count second-language speakers, and will continue to rise, even as the proportion of native speakers declines.'' "

Lost for words: language used by 426 people

2004-02-27T12:29:00.000Z

Telegraph
"Linguists have identified a previously unrecorded language spoken by a few Siberians living along the Chulym river near western Mongolia. There are 426 people still speaking Middle Chulym fluently. All are members of a hunter-gatherer group that settled along the river and none is under 52."

English 'in decline' as a language

2004-02-27T12:26:00.000Z

Telegraph
"The proportion of the world's population that grows up speaking English is in decline and Mandarin Chinese will become the next 'must learn' language"

English set to decline as a world language

2004-02-27T12:22:00.000Z

The Independent
"The proportion of people who speak English as their mother tongue is falling fast - contradicting the 19th-century notion that one day the whole world would speak the language of the British empire."

English on decline for world youth

2004-02-27T12:19:00.000Z

Guardian Unlimited
"English is slipping in the table of world languages among 15-24 year-olds"

English language poised to lose its dominance

2004-02-27T12:06:00.000Z

Toronto Star
"Mandarin set to become new `must learn' tongue"

English Said No Longer Dominant Language

2004-02-27T12:02:00.000Z

IN-FORUM
"There is a distinct consciousness in many countries, both developed and developing, about this dominance of English. There is some evidence of resistance to it, a desire to change it,'"

English Said No Longer Dominant Language

2004-02-27T11:56:00.000Z

Philly Burbs
"English has become the dominant language of science, with an estimated 80 percent to 90 percent of papers in scientific journals written in English, notes Scott Montgomery in a separate paper in the same issue of Science. That's up from about 60 percent in the 1980s, he observes."

English slips as a native language

2004-02-27T11:49:00.000Z

Everything Jersey
"Harrison disputed listing Arabic in the top languages 'because varieties of Arabic spoken in say, Egypt and Morocco are mutually incomprehensible.' "

English language unlikely to be dominant, expert says

2004-02-27T11:43:00.000Z

The Miami Herald
"He sees English as likely to become the ''first among equals'' rather than having the global field to itself."

When all is told, it won't be in English

2004-02-27T11:38:00.000Z

When all is told, it won't be in English
"The share of the world's population that speaks English as a native language is falling"

Analysis: English won't be sole language of the future

2004-02-27T11:34:00.000Z

Analysis: English won't be sole language of the future
"While it is important to learn English, Anderson added, politicians and educators need to realize that doesn't mean abandoning the native language."

Language expert says native English speakers on decline

2004-02-27T11:03:00.000Z

Language expert says native English speakers on decline
"English is the second most-common native tongue in the world, trailing only Chinese. By the middle of the century, he thinks Chinese will continue its dominance, with Hindi-Urdu of India and Arabic climbing past English, and Spanish nearly equaling it."

English Said No Longer Dominant Language

2004-02-27T11:00:00.000Z

Newsday.com
"The English Company, anticipates a world where the share of people who are native English speakers slips from 9 percent in the mid-twentieth century to 5 percent in 2050."

English As World Language Called Outdated

2004-02-27T10:56:00.000Z

English As World Language Called Outdated
"Instead, its major contribution will be in creating new generations of bilingual and multilingual speakers, he reports. English-only speakers may find it difficult to fully participate in a multilingual society,"

Proportion of native English speakers declining worldwide

2004-02-27T10:50:00.000Z

Proportion of native English speakers declining worldwide
"multilingualism is ``more or less the natural state. In most of the world multilingualism is the normal condition of people.''

Speaking the language of the future

2004-02-27T10:41:00.000Z

Speaking the language of the future
"ENGLISH is losing its dominant position as a world language, it was claimed yesterday. In 50 years time, it could be overtaken by Arabic and the Indian tongues of Hindi and Urdu"

Welsh 'could be on the way out'

2004-02-27T10:39:00.000Z

Welsh 'could be on the way out'
"But the report makes grim reading for speakers of the less commonly spoken languages such as Welsh; many could be doomed to extinction.
Roughly 6,000 languages exist in the world today, but 90% of them could disappear over the next century. 'We may now be losing a language every day,'"

Study: Fewer will speak only English

2004-02-27T10:36:00.000Z

Study: Fewer will speak only English
"He sees English as likely to become the 'first among equals' rather than having the global field to itself."

Pune to host 22-language book exhibit

2004-02-27T10:33:00.000Z

Pune to host 22-language book exhibit
"also wanted to bring out journals and periodicals in various languages, evolve programmes to represent regional Indian literature at the global forum and launch a drive to popularise Indian writing among international readers."

English As World Language Called Outdated

2004-02-27T10:31:00.000Z

English As World Language Called Outdated
"The idea of English becoming the world language to the exclusion of others ``is past its sell-by date,''

English in Decline as a First Language, Study Says

2004-02-27T10:27:00.000Z

English in Decline as a First Language, Study Says
"the percentage of the global population that grew up speaking English as its first language is declining. In addition, an increasing number of people now speak more than one language.

In the future, English is likely to be one of those languages, but the Mandarin form of Chinese will probably be the next must-learn language, especially in Asia."

"The status of English as a global language may peak soon,"

English As World Language Said Outdated

2004-02-27T10:24:00.000Z

English As World Language Said Outdated
"The world faces a future of people speaking more than one language, with English no longer seen as likely to become dominant"

"English is likely to remain one of the world's most important languages for the foreseeable future, but its future is more problematic--and complex--than most people appreciate,''

"English as likely to become the ``first among equals'' rather than having the global field to itself. ``Monolingual speakers of any variety of English--American or British--will experience increasing difficulty in employment and political life, and are likely to become bewildered by many aspects of society and culture around them,'' "

Labour accuses gov of hypocrisy on EU Irish language motion

2004-02-26T14:46:00.000Z

Labour accuses gov of hypocrisy on EU Irish language motion
"On the Order of Business this morning the Taoiseach told the House that the government would support the Private Members Motion initiated by Labour and tabled jointly with Fine Gael and the Green Party calling on the government to avail of the opportunity presented by Ireland's Presidency to inform the European Union of its wish to have the Irish language recognised as an official language of the European Union and its institutions."

Language hall gives experience

2004-02-26T14:41:00.000Z

Language hall gives experience
"For students interested in learning about foreign cultures outside the classroom, study abroad is not the only option. Each year, 18 students experience a foreign culture without even leaving their dorm rooms. The students are part of the French and Spanish language communities, located on the second floor of Mary Lyndon Hall. Students immerse themselves in the languages by speaking either French or Spanish in all common areas of the residence."

Aramaic speakers hear familiar sounds in "The Passion"

2004-02-26T14:37:00.000Z

Aramaic speakers hear familiar sounds in "The Passion"
"Most viewers of 'The Passion of the Christ' will find little familiar in the ancient language spoken by Jesus and other Jewish characters in the movie. But for Chaldeans and Assyrians in the United States, Mel Gibson's film, which opened Wednesday, is an unprecedented chance to hear their native tongue -- Aramaic -- on the big screen."

Assyrians hear native tongue in 'Passion'

2004-02-26T14:34:00.000Z

Assyrians hear native tongue in 'Passion'
"Nobody knows exactly how first-century Aramaic sounded, and the language in the movie is just one scholar's best estimation of how Jesus would have spoken. It varies greatly from Syriac, the form of Aramaic used today by some Christians."

Moviegoers flock to controversial 'Passion'

2004-02-26T14:30:00.000Z

Moviegoers flock to controversial 'Passion'
"'Frankly, the original language made the movie seem so much more authentic,' "

A LIVE LANGUAGE: Chaldeans who speak, learn Aramaic say it helps preserve their culture

2004-02-26T14:26:00.000Z

A LIVE LANGUAGE: Chaldeans who speak, learn Aramaic say it helps preserve their culture
"A FEW COMMON PHRASES TRANSLATED
I love you (said to a woman). -- K-haibinnakh.
What's for dinner? -- Ma ittan ta ashaya?
I live in the Motor City (said by a man) -- Ana k-aishin mdhyta d-sayarat.
Where's the bathroom? -- Aika iyle betha d-maya?
Do you come here often? (said to a woman) -- Kul gaha k-athyat akha?
Happy Birthday (said to a woman)! -- Brykha aidha d-hwaithakh!"

University to offer Hindi language classes in the fall semester

2004-02-26T14:20:00.000Z

The Daily Princetonian - University to offer Hindi language classes in the fall semester
"Ravi Shah '06 came to Princeton with a mission to bring Hindi the national language of India, which boasts the second-largest population in the world to the classroom. Just a year and a half later, although he said he finds it almost hard to believe, the University will offer beginner courses in Hindi starting next fall. Intermediate and advanced Hindi classes will be offered the following year for the first time ever at Princeton."

Star Telegram | 02/25/2004 | What's up with Aramaic?

2004-02-26T14:17:00.000Z

What's up with Aramaic?
"Leave it to pop culture -- and Mel Gibson -- to revive a couple of dead languages. Well, one that's dead and one that's in linguistic intensive care."

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Hollywood moment for ancient language

2004-02-26T14:12:00.000Z

Hollywood moment for ancient language
"For Aramaic speakers, The Passion of the Christ is their first chance to hear their language on the big screen. It remains to be seen whether other directors will follow Mel Gibson's lead."

Online learning Maori language trial

2004-02-26T14:06:00.000Z

Online learning Maori language trial
"The trail will give us an opportunity to assess the long-term benefits of people being able to use Maori in an e-learning environment. It's another step forward in making e-learning even more accessible for Maori students and staff."

Speaking Aramaic: New life for a dying language

2004-02-26T14:04:00.000Z

Speaking Aramaic: New life for a dying language

"Imagine the possibilities: T-shirts with Aramaic slogans, funny Aramaic bumper stickers, pull-string plush toys with Aramaic greetings.

A comeback, though, is pretty unlikely. While Aramaic isn't quite a dead language, it might expire in a few short decades, some language experts predict.

“It's not gone yet,” said language researcher Jerome Lund, “but because there are only small groups speaking it, it may be a question of time.”

Syrian Villagers Determined to Keep Ancient Language Alive

2004-02-26T13:56:00.000Z

Syrian Villagers Determined to Keep Ancient Language Alive
"Teaching an ancient language is a challenge, but Mr. Rezkallah has some ideas how to attract young students.

'In the villages, at weddings and special occasions, we have popular poets,' said Mr. Rezkallah. 'Now, I was one of those popular poets in Arabic. Now, I deserted the Arabic, and began to write songs, because, how can I teach the children? By writing songs to the children and to the men and women.'"

Govt repeals decision on language classes

2004-02-26T13:52:00.000Z

Govt repeals decision on language classes
"The controversial decision to stop teaching seven Indian languages as optional subjects in schools after March 2005 has been stayed by the state government following a furore from linguistic minorities in the state."

Hispanic lawmaker proposes making English official language

2004-02-26T13:50:00.000Z

Hispanic lawmaker proposes making English official language
"presented a bill Tuesday to a House committee that would make English the official language of Missouri.

The measure's only effect would be to codify that official state documents must be printed in English, said Nieves, R-Washington. Documents could also be printed in other languages, but English must be one of them.

'It's an attempt to unify and maybe do something that would appear to make sense to a lot of people in the state of Missouri

'We're just protecting English,' he said. 'We're not trying to take anything away from anybody.'

Missouri law already states: 'The General Assembly recognizes that English is the common language used in Missouri and recognizes that fluency in English is necessary for full integration into our common American culture for reading readiness.'
Nieves' bill simply would replace the word 'common' with 'official'"

Schools cut back on foreign language classes

2004-02-26T13:34:00.000Z

Schools cut back on foreign language classes
"The lesson may have been simple, but Griswold's goal is more ambitious. She hopes that by fifth grade, her students will be well on their way to fluency in a second language.

Yet East Clayton is one of a shrinking number of elementary schools in North Carolina putting a priority on teaching a language other than English.
In a state that once pushed foreign language lessons as early as kindergarten, North Carolina elementary schools have been steadily curtailing instruction in second languages to devote more time and effort to basic reading and math instruction in English."

Strong Language In Kyrgyzstan

2004-02-26T13:29:00.000Z

Strong Language In Kyrgyzstan
"Nothing ruffles parliamentary feathers quite like the passage of a language law in a multiethnic country. The disputes over Kyrgyzstan's attempts to revamp its language legislation illustrate the twists and turns of a painful process."

Bangla language in 6 US varsities

2004-02-26T13:27:00.000Z

Bangla language in 6 US varsities
"As the Bangla-speaking community members remember the great sacrifices made in the Language Movement of 1952, it is also appropriate to consider how we can promote the Bangla language and culture globally.

With growth in Bangla speaking communities around the world, particularly in the last 30 years, this language and culture has been taught in increased number of schools and Universities for the second generation and others interested in the language and culture. In the United States, for example, there are now six Universities offering courses in Bangla language and culture."

A language by women, for women

2004-02-26T13:19:00.000Z

A language by women, for women
Scholars and local authorities have taken renewed interest in the exclusive language, trying to preserve it as the last women who are fluent reach the end of their lives. Generations of women in the region once penned their diaries in nushu, and the few journals that have survived offer a unique chronicle of these private lives long ago. Today, young girls learn Chinese along with the boys, so learning nushu has less appeal.

Max N powers up language learning with 'rock school' tour

2004-02-26T13:15:00.000Z

Max N powers up language learning with 'rock school' tour
"The band has been signed up by S4C and the Welsh Language Board to promote Welsh-language pop music among young people."

Learning Chinese made simpler

2004-02-26T12:53:00.000Z

Learning Chinese made simpler
"pupils who learnt Chinese with English as a supplementary tool developed a favourable attitude towards the subject and were less intimidated when confronted with the "alien language".

More schools to use English in Chinese classes

2004-02-26T12:48:00.000Z

More schools to use English in Chinese classes
In class, teachers use English where they have to, for example, to explain Chinese characters to their pupils.

Pupils can ask questions in English if they cannot do so in Mandarin, a practice traditionally discouraged.

News of the experiment had earlier drawn protests from those who were worried that the use of English would compromise Chinese language standards.

But the ministry's survey, carried out last year, may put some of these fears to rest.

It found that three-quarters of the parents of pupils taught this way said their children now had no fear of Chinese, while two thirds said the children had grown more eager to learn the language.

Bilingual teaching of Chinese language extended to 7 more schools

2004-02-26T12:44:00.000Z

Bilingual teaching of Chinese language extended to 7 more schools
Over 80 percent of the children who have tried the bilingual approach say Chinese classes are more enjoyable.

But it will not replace the mainstream method of Chinese language teaching anytime soon.

"English cannot solve everything, this is just part of the approach to help them..... listening, writing, reading, we need to use Chinese also. So this is just part of the skills, part of the tools to help them solve part of the problem."

'Passion' Revives Dying Language

2004-02-23T00:23:00.000Z

'Passion' Revives Dying Language
"Just a half-million people around the world, mostly Christians, still speak Aramaic at home."

'Passion' Revives Hope for Dying Language

2004-02-22T22:38:00.000Z

Rapid City Journal
"Scholars believe Jesus might have known Hebrew _ which by that time was reserved mainly for use in synagogues and by upper classes _ and some Greek, but Aramaic was the language of his native Galilee.

The New Testament records Jesus' last words on the cross in Aramaic: 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?' St. Mark, most likely writing in Greek, adds, '... which means, 'My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?'' (Mark 15:34)."

'Passion' Revives Hope for Dying Language

2004-02-22T22:34:00.000Z

'Passion' Revives Hope for Dying Language
"Among the few places in the world where Aramaic is still familiar is a small Syrian Orthodox church in Jerusalem, though even here it is little more than an echo these days."

'Passion' Revives Hope for Dying Language

2004-02-22T22:31:00.000Z

'Passion' Revives Hope for Dying Language
"Aramaic was largely replaced by Arabic during the Islamic conquest of the 7th century."

'Passion' Revives Hope for Dying Language

2004-02-22T22:28:00.000Z

Guardian Unlimited | World Latest | 'Passion' Revives Hope for Dying Language
"Aramaic reached its widest influence when it was adopted by the Persian empire around 500 B.C. Written in a 22-letter alphabet - similar to Hebrew's square-shaped letters - it was a relatively simple language, and scribes and intellectuals helped spread it in a largely illiterate world

Today, a few people speak it in parts of Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, India, Europe, Australia and some U.S. cities, including Chicago.
In Syria, once the core of indigenous Christian Aramaic speakers, the language is still heard among 10,000 people in three villages perched on cliff sides in the Qalamoun Mountains north of Damascus.

But it is dwindling as the older generation dies, said George Rizkallah, a 63-year-old retired Syrian teacher. Rizkallah has appealed to the Syrian government and international organizations to help save the language."

'Passion' revives hope for dying language

2004-02-22T22:22:00.000Z

Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"Aramaic is one of the few languages that has been spoken continuously for thousands of years. It first appeared in written records around the 10th century B.C. although it was likely spoken earlier."

Passion' Revives Hope for Dying Language

2004-02-22T22:20:00.000Z

'Passion' Revives Hope for Dying Language
"An ancient, dying language gets a new life on American movie screens this week. Some linguists, who fear the language spoken by Jesus could vanish within a few decades, hope for a boost from Mel Gibson's new film, 'The Passion of the Christ'"

"Aramaic was once the lingua franca of the Middle East and parts of Asia. Today, the Syrian Orthodox community in Jerusalem offers Aramaic in summer school, but there is little interest and fewer than half the 600 members speak the language."

First book in Bangladeshi tribal language hits book stores

2004-02-22T22:14:00.000Z

First book in Bangladeshi tribal language hits book stores
"The first Bangladeshi book ever to be published in the language of the country's dominant Chakma tribe hit book stores in the nation on Sunday."

Moscow mayor sends greetings to Russian language seminar in Germany

2004-02-22T22:08:00.000Z

Pravda.RU Moscow mayor sends greetings
"Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov has sent a message of greetings to the participants in the first international seminar, Russian Language Outside Russia, currently (Feb. 20-22) held in Germany.

The message of greetings emphasises the role of Russian language teachers in Germany and other European countries in promoting the positive image of democratic Russia, preserving the Russian language and spreading Russian culture and identity."

Homage to martyrs of Language Movement

2004-02-22T22:06:00.000Z

The Hindu News Update Service
"Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed, and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, today led the nation in paying homage to martyrs of the Language Movement, restoring Bangla as one of the State languages of erstwhile Pakistan, at the Central Shaheed Minar."

Buy vodka, get a free English language course

2004-02-22T22:04:00.000Z

Buy vodka, get a free English language course
"A Polish vodka maker has put the old adage that alcohol loosens the tongue to the test, offering clients a free English language course with each bottle."

The ethos of Ekushey February

2004-02-22T22:01:00.000Z

The Daily Star - Bangladesh

"At 3.10 pm on 21 February, 1952, the streets near the Medical College Barracks in Dhaka were drenched with the blood of students protesting arbitrary imposition of what was unjust and wrong. As most of us know, the police opened fire without warning on peaceful, unarmed groups of students on the orders of District Magistrate Qureishi. They were defying the imposition of Section 144. Two students of Dhaka University, Abdul Jabbar and Rafiquddin died on the spot. Two others passed away late in the evening the same night -- Abul Barkat, another student and Abdus Salam an employee of a printing company located in Badamtoli. Both died in the operation theatre. Ninety-six others received bullet injuries. The next day, further protests led to the death of an employee of the Dhaka High Court and Shafiur Rahman, a student of the Law Faculty of Dhaka University. They died when police opened fire in Nawabpur in Dhaka."

Bangla -- a legacy of the Muslim era

2004-02-22T21:59:00.000Z

The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 4 Num 262

"Bangla, the apple of our eyes, occupies a unique place in the annals of civilization simply because it is the only language in the world for the recognition of which people have smilingly embraced bullets and shuffled off the mortal coil, the only language on this globe for the legitimate and rightful status of which people have braved the bitterest ordeals, have faced the gravest trials and tribulations, have unhesitatingly accepted the cold and cruel kiss of death, the only language on earth the struggle for which has helped a nation achieve an independent and sovereign state. No language on the clay of this cold star can boast of such unparalleled devotion, dedication and sacrifice from those speaking it. No wonder, Amar Ekushey, the wellspring of our deepest emotions about our cultural heritage and the harbinger of all our hard struggles, has been singled out of the 4000 mother languages and blessed with the unique honour of the International Mother Language Day."

target="_blank">Amar Ekushey

2004-02-22T21:56:00.000Z

The Daily Star - Bangladesh

"Ekushey defines the one shining moment in our history when the nation stood firm in the face of an aggression by the colonial rulers against its most prized possession -- language. It shaped the social and political events that followed so decisively that Ekushey has rightly been termed a turning point in the history of our movement for a separate cultural and linguistic identity, which culminated in the movement for an independent Bangladesh. We remember today the martyrs of the Language Movement with a deep sense of indebtedness and great respect. They taught us that a nation must always be ready to pay a price for self-assertion.

Those who sacrificed their lives for the dignity of our language demonstrated that a self-respecting nation could never bow down to the pressure that the colonial rulers exerted through deciding to ignore the language of the majority. That was the first step on the part of the Bangla-speaking majority population of the then East Pakistan to assert themselves for a just cause. It was a victory for truth and justice."

Ekushey is about ultimate sacrifice for great cause

2004-02-22T21:54:00.000Z

The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 4 Num 262

"On 11 March 1948, Bengali students congregated in front of the secretariat with the demand to declare Bangla as one of the state languages. The Police with their bayonet charged, came down on the agitating students and many were injured. . The fight for Rashtra Bhasha began.

Twenty first February 1952 was declared as a state language day and students and people of all walks of life came out, to fight for the right to speak and practice their own mother tongue. Many suffered injuries but some valiant sons of the soil made the ultimate sacrifice to save Bangla. In the next 16 years the Bengali nation gave a strong account of themselves in the quest for getting the political recognition of their rights. Ekushey was the starting point, the first call for self-assertion. The language movement was based on the just and democratic aspiration of the majority. Bangla was spoken by 55 per cent of the then Pakistan population. Rashtra Bhasha Andolon, or the struggle for the state language, only speaks volumes about the understanding and respect the people of Bangladesh have for democracy."

Nation salutes language martyrs

2004-02-22T21:51:00.000Z

The Daily Star - Bangladesh

"Thousands barefoot and singing paid homage to the Language Movement martyrs of 1952 in Dhaka with the clock striking a minute past midnight to mark a day of supreme sacrifice.

On this day 52 years ago, students in Dhaka took to the streets in protest at the denial of Bangla as the national language and imposition of Urdu as the sole official language of Pakistan. The protest sparked on February 21, 1952 progressed into the long-drawn struggle and eventual birth of Bangladesh."

Teach children in their mother tongue: UNESCO

2004-02-22T21:49:00.000Z

The Hindu News Update Service
"Across Africa, where more than 2,000 languages are spoken, the languages of the former colonial powers - English, French, Spanish and Portuguese - still dominate education systems, the survey said, adding a similar situation prevails in Latin America."

UNESCO urges teaching from earliest age in indigenous mother languages

2004-02-22T21:47:00.000Z

"The study shows that India is one of the world leaders in the development of multilingual education systems, with about 80 languages being used to teach children at different levels of schooling. But across Africa, where an estimated 2,011 languages are spoken, the languages of the former colonial powers - English, French, Spanish and Portuguese - still dominate education systems. A similar situation prevails in Latin America. "

Celebrations are in order but society is disintegrating

2004-02-22T21:44:00.000Z

The Daily Star Web Edition Vol. 4 Num 262

"As time ticks by, 21st February returns again -- in 2004 as it does every year. For the people of Bangladesh, the date was like any other before 21 February 1952. Following that fateful year, the date became at once a source of glory and an occasion of remembrance for the martyrs of the Language Movement. We respectfully remember them as we celebrate the day. We pray for the salvation of their departed souls as we rejoice. We celebrate and rejoice because the (1952) 21st February Language Movement provided the centre piece around which protests gathered momentum against the unfolding Pakistani hegemonism, eventually leading to the War of Liberation and the actual Liberation of the country on 16 December 1971. The date, therefore, continued to be of iconic significance for us. The ethos generated by the day transcended the borders of Bangladesh in 1999, as the date came to be recognised as the International Mother Language Day for the whole world, voted into effect by the General Council of UNESCO on 17 November 1999. The basis of the UN resolution was the supreme sacrifice made by the martyrs of the Bangladesh Language Movement on 21 February 1952. Indeed, in human history, there is no parallel to the movement conducted by the people of this country to protect the sanctity of their language. Hence, the international recognition is a unique honour accorded to a unique date that saw bloodletting by gallant Bangalees for safeguarding their own language, culture, and identity.

Celebrations and congratulations are, therefore, in order on this day in Bangladesh. It may be mentioned that the process that led to the international recognition of 21st February as the International Mother Language Day was effectively initiated by a group of Canada-based Mother Language lovers from different nations, including two Bangladeshis named Rafiqul Islam and Abdus Salam, by petitioning the United Nations. What a coincidence: we have here two persons by the names of Rafique and Salam again. However, for action to be taken by the UN, a proposal needed to be formally made by a member state. The opportunity was seized with great determination by the then Bangladesh Prime Minister and Education Minister. Their determined and timely move culminated in the adoption of the resolution to establish 21st February as the International Mother Language Day by the UNESCO General Conference on 17 November 1999.

But celebrations cannot be enough. The 21st February no longer belongs to Bangladesh alone, it is also the whole world's. But since it is our Mother Language Day that was the basis for this international glory accorded to the date, we must carry the responsibility imposed on us, as a result, with dignity. This means ensuring that every citizen of the country has equitable access to education, enlightenment, and economic and social progress."

World mother tongue day

2004-02-22T21:37:00.000Z

Hi Pakistan
"The UNESCO, which hopes to make people conscious of the importance of the mother tongue, declares in its latest publication Education in a Multilingual World (2003), that the most suitable language for teaching basic concepts to children is the mother tongue. Indeed, the UNESCO declared this as early as 1953 in its report The Use of Vernacular Languages in Education."

"Moreover, and this is even more important, power and resources should be distributed by the centre in such a just, fair and equitable manner that language (or other distinctive features) do not become symbols of resistance."

UNESCO concerned about mother language extinction

2004-02-22T20:54:00.000Z

IRIB PERSIAN NEWS PAGE
"But a survey being undertaken by the agency indicates that although the use of mother languages as a medium of instruction is gaining ground, few countries have incorporated the idea into their education systems."

Cultural Activities Celebrate World Languages

2004-02-22T20:50:00.000Z

Scotsman.com News - Latest News - Cultural Activities Celebrate World Languages
"In 1999, the Unesco General Conference adopted Resolution 37 recommending measures to promote multilingualism, including its use in promoting universal access to cyberspace and multiculturalism on global information networks."

Teach children in their mother tongue

2004-02-22T20:32:00.000Z

Teach children in their mother tongue: UNESCO : HindustanTimes.com
"With an average of two indigenous languages dying out on an average every month, the UN's cultural agency has called for national education systems to teach children in their mother tongue as a means of stimulating learning ability and preserving linguistic diversity.

"It is widely acknowledged now-a-days that teaching in both the mother tongue and the official national language helps children to obtain better results and stimulates their cognitive development and capacity to learn"

International Mother Tongue Day

2004-02-22T20:26:00.000Z

RADIO FREE EUROPE/ RADIO LIBERTY
"UNESCO -- the UN's Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization -- will mark on 23 February the fifth International Mother Language Day, which celebrates the world's nearly 6,000 languages as the "shared heritage of humanity." Linguists warn, however, that at least 40 percent of these languages are expected to die out during this century."

"It's so important, first to be able to keep our minds busy, as it were, and one of the ways in which we can do this is by seeing how each language captures a vision of the world in a different way. Every time we lose a language, we lose one vision of the world."

South Africa Language Conference

2004-02-20T11:46:00.001Z

[official languages] Parliament gets ready for language conference

"South Africa is in a particularly unusual position in that it has more official languages at a national level than any other country. Several indigenous languages are spoken across provincial borders and regions in South Africa. These languages are shared by speech communities from different provinces across the country," added Kgware.

Some 25 languages are spoken in South Africa. Eleven of these languages have been accorded official status in terms of section 6 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa on the grounds that their usage includes about 98% of the total population.

"The constitution obliges government to implement this official language policy status and use the Pan South African Language Board to promote respect for other languages, as well as to promote multilingualism and the development of languages.

"This obligation places South Africa at the cutting edge of global language policy developments, which presents an exciting opportunity for the country, particularly for Parliament to oversee this task,"

International Mother Tongue Day

2004-02-19T22:42:00.000Z

[events] International Mother Language Day "The International Mother Language Day falls on February 21 every year. The Day was proclaimed by UNESCO General Conference in November 1999 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism."

Spoken Here

2004-02-18T23:02:00.000Z

[book review] Review of Spoken Here by Mark Abley No one speaks the language
"Mark Abley, an energetic Canadian journalist, went all over the world in search of dying or threatened languages and those who still speak them.

If minority languages like Occitan are still hanging on, or even having a revival, it could be because they are no longer a threat to the mainstream."

Languages in Schools

2004-02-18T22:15:00.000Z

[education] Getting the language bug at seven

"From next year, a foreign language will no longer be compulsory at GCSE"
Since September last year, 19 councils in England have been taking part in two-year "Pathfinder" projects, providing children from seven upwards with French, German and Spanish lessons. By 2010, the government hopes every primary school in the country will offer them.

Can you include BSL please?