On Friday, 21 February 2025, the Centre for African Language Teaching (CALT) hosted staff from language departments and visiting students from Brazil to mark International Mother Language Day. The event recognised the crucial role of mother languages in education, identity, and culture, while also honouring the 1952 Bengali language movement in Bangladesh.
In the South African context, the celebration underscored the need to advance the right to learn and teach in African languages. Despite constitutional recognition, English remains dominant in teacher preparation, raising concerns about multilingual inclusion.
Guests shared personal experiences and expressed joy in their mother tongues, exchanging cultural insights that reinforced the power of linguistic diversity. CALT emphasised the importance of reimagining teacher education to value African languages as intellectual tools across disciplines. Beyond education, the day was a vibrant celebration of dignity, identity, and inclusion, reminding all that linguistic diversity strengthens society and should serve as a force for unity.
In the South African context, the celebration underscored the need to advance the right to learn and teach in African languages. Despite constitutional recognition, English remains dominant in teacher preparation, raising concerns about multilingual inclusion.
Guests shared personal experiences and expressed joy in their mother tongues, exchanging cultural insights that reinforced the power of linguistic diversity. CALT emphasised the importance of reimagining teacher education to value African languages as intellectual tools across disciplines. Beyond education, the day was a vibrant celebration of dignity, identity, and inclusion, reminding all that linguistic diversity strengthens society and should serve as a force for unity.
