The exact number of native languages worldwide varies, with estimates ranging from 6,000 to over 7,186. The richness of language diversity faces significant threats, as every two weeks another language dies out. International Mother Language Day, initiated over 25 years ago, aims to address this decline. The definition of a mother tongue can differ significantly; in some cultures, it denotes an innate language tied to family. This complexity is illustrated in a personal story about a teenager from Cologne who considers Russian his mother tongue, despite his surroundings.
Every two weeks, another mother tongue falls silent, highlighting the urgent need to preserve linguistic diversity as International Mother Language Day aims to do.
The definition of mother tongue varies across cultures; in some languages, it refers to the 'innate' language, emphasizing family ties over geographic origins.
While the German Economic Institute reports 7,186 native languages today, UNESCO puts it at just over 6,000, reflecting discrepancies in linguistic data.
Despite his upbringing in Cologne, my son identifies his mother tongue as Russian, demonstrating the complex relationship between language, culture, and personal identity.
#language-diversity #mother-tongue #cultural-identity #international-mother-language-day #linguistic-preservation
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