AMU’s Linguistics Department Celebrates International Mother Tongue Day 2024

Aligarh, February 21 (TNA) The celebration of International Mother Language Day at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) was highlighted by a presentation entitled "Why Mother’s Tongue?" delivered by linguist Prof. Udaya Narayana Singh, formerly the Pro Vice Chancellor of Shantiniketan and Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Amity University, Haryana.

The event, organized under the auspices of the Masud Hussain Khan Linguistic Society, began with Prof. Shabana Hameed introducing the topic and highlighting the society's efforts in promoting regional languages and linguistics. Welcoming the attendees, Prof. M.J Warsi underscored the importance of International Mother Language Day before inviting Prof. Udaya Narayana Singh to deliver his address.

In his engaging lecture, Prof. Narayana Singh emphasized the pivotal role of mother tongues in preserving culture, heritage, values, and traditions. He stressed how mothers serve as the primary educators, imparting linguistic knowledge as well as moral and ethical foundations to their children.

Prof. Singh also emphasized the unifying power of languages and kinds of literature in bringing people together. He went on to highlight the need to preserve languages as a means of safeguarding cultural identity. Presiding over the event, Prof. Warsi elaborated on the importance of decolonizing multilingualism and promoting mother tongue-based education. He warned against the marginalization of indigenous languages due to the dominance of English and called for a revaluation of regional languages.

Prof. Warsi advocated for the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which prioritizes mother tongue education to empower learners and preserve linguistic diversity. In his closing remarks, Masood Ali Beg expressed gratitude to the guests and attendees for their participation and acknowledged the support of the staff members in organizing the event.

The celebration of International Mother Tongue Day at AMU served as a platform to underscore the importance of linguistic diversity and the need to uphold and celebrate mother tongues as repositories of cultural heritage and identity.