Every year, on February 21st, we celebrate International Mother Language Day, a day dedicated to recognizing and promoting linguistic diversity and multilingualism worldwide. It’s a day to appreciate the richness and beauty of the thousands of languages that paint and unite our world.

Our mother language, the language we first learn, is more than just a means of communication. It’s deeply intertwined with our identity, heritage, and sense of belonging.

It’s the language of our childhood stories; and our family traditions and it shapes how we perceive the world. Sadly, many languages are facing the threat of extinction. This loss isn’t just about losing words; it’s about losing cultural knowledge, traditions, and unique ways of thinking.

International Mother Language Day is a crucial reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting these linguistic treasures. The Bible Society of Kenya continues to actively preserve our languages through Bible translation as well as through programmes like Literacy for Women in Africa where we equip learners in marginalized communities with literacy skills in mother tongue language.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate the languages that make our world vibrant. Let’s encourage the use and learning of mother languages, not only at home but also in schools and communities. Let’s work together to ensure that future generations can inherit the linguistic diversity that enriches us all.