Cumberland Council highlighted multilingual education by embracing cultural and linguistic diversity at International Mother Language Day.
International Mother Language Day is held annually worldwide to promote peace and raise awareness of the diverse languages we speak, learn and use to connect within our communities.
Mayor Lisa Lake said that with such a diverse community in Cumberland, it is vitally important to acknowledge our many cultures and continue practicing the mother tongue of the different languages spoken in our communities.
“Statistics show us that every two weeks a language disappears, taking with it an entire cultural and intellectual heritage. At least 43 percent of the estimated 6,000 languages spoken in the world are endangered,” said Mayor Lake.
“Languages are the most powerful instruments for developing and preserving cultural heritage and identity. The acknowledgement of languages in local communities helps to spread an understanding and appreciation of our diverse community.”
Cumberland is one of the most multilingual communities in Sydney comprising of 67 different languages with more than half of the population speaking another language at home.
Cumberland libraries collectively stock over 31 thousand books, magazines and digital materials in over 20 different languages. Each of the eight libraries in Cumberland have an “Ekushey Corner” to help conserve, promote and protect mother languages.
Mayor Lake said the decline of mother languages has been a driving force behind the establishment of Ekushey Corners.
“Cumberland is one of the most multicultural communities in Sydney and welcomes people from all language and cultural backgrounds,” she said.
“Our libraries support our multicultural communities by providing collections in languages other than English, and provides a place to connect with others and create a more inclusive community.”
International Mother Language Day was held at Merrylands Library on Monday 20 February. The evening included guest speakers; Nirmal Paul, Founder and Chairperson of the MLC Movement International Inc. and Cumberland Council’s Aboriginal Education Officer, Janice Dennis. There were also cultural performances and displays held to celebrate the day.
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