International Year of Languages
Encyclopedia
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages, pursuant to a resolution of UNESCO
. The resolution also reaffirmed the need to achieve full parity among the six official languages on United Nations websites.
), respect for all languages, and multilingualism
. The resolution also discussed language issues in the United Nations itself.
UNESCO
was charged with coordinating observance of the Year, and officially launched it on the occasion of International Mother Language Day
, 21 February 2008.
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
. The resolution also reaffirmed the need to achieve full parity among the six official languages on United Nations websites.
Origination
The Year was intended to address issues of linguistic diversity (in the context of cultural diversityCultural diversity
Cultural diversity is having different cultures respect each other's differences. It could also mean the variety of human societies or cultures in a specific region, or in the world as a whole...
), respect for all languages, and multilingualism
Multilingualism
Multilingualism is the act of using, or promoting the use of, multiple languages, either by an individual speaker or by a community of speakers. Multilingual speakers outnumber monolingual speakers in the world's population. Multilingualism is becoming a social phenomenon governed by the needs of...
. The resolution also discussed language issues in the United Nations itself.
UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
was charged with coordinating observance of the Year, and officially launched it on the occasion of International Mother Language Day
International Mother Language Day
International Mother Language Day is an observance held annually on 21 February worldwide to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. It was first announced by UNESCO on 17 November 1999...
, 21 February 2008.