Is technology friend or foe when it comes to preserving local languages? That was one of the questions posed as part of a two-day event to mark the 11th International Mother Language Day (IMLD).

The International Symposium: Translation and Cultural Mediation brought together experts in Paris on February 22 and 23 to discuss topics including bridging global and local languages and Translation, Mutual Understanding and Stereotypes. 

Information sessions on UNESCO’s languages and multilingualism activities  included one on the New Atlas of Endangered Languages. In addition there were two education presentations, one on mother tongue instruction in bilingual or multilingual education and the other entitled Technology and the Mother Tongue; Friend or Foe? 

This year, among other events worldwide, the village of Kovacica in the Republic of Serbia where national minorities of Slovaks. Romanians, Roma, Hungarians, Ruthenians and Croats live alongside Serbs, will celebrate the event with roundtables and discussions. On February 21 one lesson in every school in Serbia will be dedicated to mother languages.

Programme

Message of Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO (PDF)

Literacy website