International mother language day

Transmit values and traditions through the mother language

The mother language is the DNA of a people, a culture. It constitutes its identity, its roots and its history. From an early age, through education, mother language, if practiced and improved, plays a crucial role in personal development and daily life. At school, in the family or between peoples, the exchange and understanding of others is mainly through dialogue.   

Mother languages are the wealth of peoples all over the world. The presence of specific dialects to certain communities reinforces the idea that language is a sign of diversity but also of tradition, sometimes ancestral. Passed down from generation to generation, they are now in danger of extinction. Not written, many languages disappear over time, leaving behind them a diminished intangible heritage.   

Today, on the occasion of International Mother Language Day, we are highlighting language learning through our photographic collections. These images, taken in several countries, show the different methods used to teach children their mother language.  

 If you would like to know more, consult our photographs on the theme of education

Maëva Nguyen, Digitization Project Assistant