This year, 2025, marks the 25th anniversary of International Mother Languages Day—a global holiday celebrating multilingualism and linguistic diversity. With over 7,100 languages spoken across the world, many of which lack written forms and are often omitted from digital communication, this date plays a pivotal role in enhancing awareness about the vast spectrum of language use and how these languages help reflect, and often shape, distinct cultures.
According to UNESCO, there are over 3,000 endangered and near-extinct languages today. The significance of International Mother Language Day is especially evident as speakers and activists working toward language revival are provided with platforms to promote their mother tongues. For the multilingual populace, it serves as moment for introspection about language hierarchies, interrogations of which languages gain privilege, and what legacies are passed to future generations.
Global Voices, a renowned organization standing at the forefront of multilingual advocacy, has been instrumental over the years. Their work amplifies various languages, addresses regional differences within linguistic continuum, and collaborates with language activists. Through their Rising Voices initiative—their language and digital activism wing—Global Voices has catalyzed discussions surrounding endangered and Indigenous languages within global conversations. Their Mayan Languages digital activism fellowship, now approaching its third year, has empowered numerous Mayan speakers to broaden the reach of their tongues, both locally and internationally, earning recognition and accolades along the way.
The organization also participated actively during the “Mother Language Meme Challenges” back in 2018, using humor to connect Indigenous language speakers through entertaining memes on International Mother Language Day. With nearly two decades of dedication to translation, Global Voices’s Lingua translation project has not only worked to translate numerous stories from around the world but has also democratized access to information across linguistic boundaries.
This example of collective translation showcases how transformative the practice of language can be—not just as activism but also as cultural enrichment for individual translators who forge closer ties with their mother languages. Their multilingual ethos sits at the heart of Global Voices’ mission, reinforcing the notion of language’s capacity to promote peace and mutual comprehension.
Highlighting the observance of International Mother Language Day resonates beyond academia or Global Voices. Schools and educational assistance programs globally engage through various activities to recognize and celebrate cultural diversity and language appreciation. For example, at Old Rochester Junior High School, students participated enthusiastically during World Language Week, held from February 10 to 14, where interactive cultural experiences shaped their educational pursuits.
Students immersed themselves in seasoning culinary traditions by making homemade tortillas and guacamole, alongside Russian dumplings. They also engaged in performances highlighting aspects of different cultures through tango and introductory Russian lessons. “World Language Week provides students the opportunity to learn about various cultures and experience several thrilling group activities,” stated Gina Tilley, Latin teacher at Old Rochester.
Celebrations included students demonstrating their language skills by leading daily pledges of allegiance in various languages, creating cultural trivia questions during morning announcements, and culminating the week with a two-day “Goosechase” scavenger hunt—a blend of active learning and cultural celebration. “This week is all about collaboration, cultural awareness, and hands-on learning,” underlined Silas Coellner, principal at Old Rochester. “It’s rewarding to witness our students so engaged and excited to participate.”
Superintendent Michael S. Nelson praised the world language educators, describing their commitment to World Language Week as impactful for students. “It’s remarkable to see how our educators bring learning to life and offer impactful experiences,” he noted, affirming the week’s significance to encouraging language proficiency and cultural appreciation among students—a memory many will cherish for years.
Overall, International Mother Language Day, celebrated amid the backdrop of cultural diversity and language revival efforts, fosters not only linguistic awareness but also promotes solidarity among spoken languages worldwide. With organizations like Global Voices leading advocacy for endangered languages and communities coming together for immersive educational experiences, the day serves to enlighten society about the value of preserving and cherishing our rich linguistic heritage—reminding us all about the importance of every word spoken and every voice heard on the global stage.