‘Cultural diversity without mother tongues can’t sustain’
To uphold folk wisdom, heritage, and culture, anthropologists and linguists emphasise the importance of fostering all local languages, advocating that primary-level education should be delivered in the mother tongue.
Today, Pakistan, alongside the rest of the world, commemorates 'Mother Tongue Day' under the theme of 'Multilingual Education: A Pillar of Intergenerational Learning'.
"Language is a fundamental element of knowledge, through which it is transformed," remarked anthropologist Dr. Rafique Wassan. "Moreover, language serves to protect and preserve culture," he added.
UNESCO highlights the role of multilingual and multicultural societies, emphasising that languages serve as conduits for transmitting and sustaining traditional knowledge and cultural heritage sustainably. Alarmingly, UNESCO reports that globally, 40 percent of the population lacks access to education in a language they speak or understand.
Ramzan Baloch, a writer, raises concerns about languages unsupported by the state, such as Balochi, lamenting its lack of encouragement in school curriculums.
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"If we aspire to cultivate a diverse society, we must actively promote all languages spoken within the country," Dr. Wassan urged, citing the threat of language imperialism that jeopardizes hundreds of languages. "There is a complete dominancy of English language across the world. Everyone wants to learn it. It seems the only way of survival for many," he added.
Dr. Wassan, speaking from his anthropological perspective, advocates for the conservation of all languages, underscoring their role in facilitating understanding across different cultures and preserving heritage. "We have to respect all languages. All languages," he urged.
"The essence of folk wisdom lies in language. The organic solution to any issue lies in the mother tongue, and we should respect each other's languages," asserted Amar Fayaz, the linguist.
Fayaz emphasises the pivotal role of language in transmitting knowledge from one individual to another, asserting that no single language can single-handedly preserve humanity, rather, it is the collective interconnectedness of languages that achieves this.
Highlighting the politicization of languages in Pakistan, Fayaz urges for a shift towards fostering love and empathy through our languages, emphasizing their inherent interconnectedness.
In cities like Karachi, many parents express apprehension as their children do not learn their mother tongues in schools. "The education system aims to teach children a particular language, primarily English, creating a significant detachment from our own culture," lamented Mustafa Aziz, a resident of Mehmoodabad.
Aziz's concerns echo those of Baloch, who criticizes the intellectual class for neglecting their own languages.
Referring to the United Nations' endorsement of linguistic rights, Baloch advocates for primary education to be delivered in the mother tongue.
Dr Wassan said that the 'Mother Tongue Day' serves as a reminder of the imperative to preserve linguistic diversity, ensuring the safeguarding of our collective cultural heritage for generations to come.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st 2024.