Around half of the countries worldwide have native names that differ from their English versions, illustrating their historical and cultural identities. There are over 7,000 languages spoken globally, and this linguistic diversity affects how nations denote themselves. International Mother Language Day, observed on February 21 by the UN, emphasizes the importance of preserving all languages. Originating from a 1952 protest in Dhaka, it highlights the cultural significance of language. Notably, many African nations' names reflect colonial histories, with others influenced by trade and regional languages, such as Egypt's Arabic name, Masr.
Egypt, one of the oldest countries in Africa, calls itself Masr in Arabic, thought to come from the word Mizraim, a reference to the ancient civilisation's name for the region, also believed to mean border or the port.
Liberia derives its name from the Latin word liber, meaning free, reflecting the country's founding by freed African American slaves in the 1820s.
Many African country names are rooted in colonial history, with others stemming from the influence of Portuguese and Arabic traders and exporters.
On February 21, the United Nations observes International Mother Language Day to promote the preservation and protection of all languages spoken by the peoples of the world.
#language #cultural-identity #international-mother-language-day #linguistic-diversity #colonial-history
Collection
[
|
...
]