Lesson: International Mother Language Day - 2

A. Discussion

Discuss these questions:

1. When did the International Mother Language Day celebration begin?
2. What does the abbreviation UNESCO stand for?
3. What is the other name of February 21st?

B. Reading

International Recognition

February 21st is observed as Shaheed Dibosh every year throughout the country in remembrance of the martyrs of the language movement of 1952. The commemoration begins in the early hours of the day with mourning songs that recall the supreme sacrifices of our language martyrs. People wear black badges and go to the Shaheed Minar in barefoot processions, singing mourning songs. They place wreaths at the Minar. Many of them visit the graves of the martyrs at Azimpur graveyard and pray for them. They also attend various programmes organized in remembrance of the language martyrs.

The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) on November 17th, 1999 proclaimed February 21st as International Mother Language Day in recognition of the sacrifices of the martyrs for the rightful place of Bangla. The day is now annually observed worldwide to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

C. Vocabulary

Match the words/phrases in the table with their meanings:

| Words/phrases | Meanings | |-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | wreath | a) encourage | | in remembrance of | b) in appreciation of | | proclaim | c) practice of using several languages | | promote | d) an arrangement of flowers in the shape of a circle | | diversity | e) declare | | multilingualism | f) in memory of | | in recognition of | g) variety |

D. Comprehension

Read the text in Section B again and answer these questions.

1. Why is February 21st called Shaheed Dibosh?
2. Why do people go to the Shaheed Minar? How do they go there?
3. Why is February 21st now observed throughout the world every year?

E. Sentence Completion

Complete the passage with suitable words.

On February 21, 1952, ______ was shed at a place between Dhaka Medical College and Dhaka University ______ to establish Bangla as a state ______ of Pakistan.

All subsequent movements ______ struggles for independence had their origin in the historic language ______. Shaheed Minar is the ______ of the supreme sacrifice ______ the mother tongue.

F. Writing

Write briefly about how you observed this year’s February 21st at your school.