Rwanda joins the rest of the world, tomorrow, in marking the International Mother Language Day, which aims at promoting the preservation and protection of all languages used by people of the world. The day will be marked under the global theme, “Quality education, language(s) of instruction and learning outcomes.” According to Rwanda Academy of Language and Culture (RALC), the national theme is “Quality use of Kinyarwanda, a basis for wisdom and knowledge.” Modeste Nsanzabaganwa, the head of the language division at RALC, told Saturday Times that the day is a good occasion to ponder about the value of Kinyarwanda language as the channel of national unity and development. He said since Rwanda started marking the day 13 years ago, a lot of progress has been made. “Several participants including Kinyarwanda teachers, researchers, media, schools and other individuals have created a good connection to sensitise society about proper use of Kinyarwanda language,” Nsanzabaganwa said. He added that the main reason to celebrate the day in Rwanda is to give value and promote Kinyarwanda as an indigenous language shared by all Rwandans. At the global scale, in a message from the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, said mother language is the power of the society. “Mother languages in a multilingual approach are essential components of quality education, which is itself the foundation for empowering women and men and their societies. We must recognise and nurture this power, in order to leave no one behind, to craft a more just and sustainable future for all,” she said in a statement. Bokova said this year’s theme underlines the importance of mother languages for quality education and linguistic diversity, to take forward the new 2030 agenda for sustainable development. “In Sustainable Development Goal four focuses on quality education and lifelong learning for all, to enable every woman and man acquire skills, knowledge and values to become everything they wish and participate fully in their societies. This is especially important for girls and women, as well as minorities, indigenous peoples and rural populations,” she said. Bokova said multilingualism is essential to drive the objectives forward, it is also vital for success across the 2030 agenda on growth, employment and health as well as sustainable consumption and production and climate change. International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by UNESCO in November 1999 and its inaugural celebration was in 2000. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
