Croatian Learning Community and Resources

Dear Croatian Community,

International Mother Language Day is celebrated annually on February 21 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity, as well as multilingualism. Established by UNESCO in 1999, the day honors the importance of preserving and protecting all languages spoken around the world, especially those at risk of disappearing.

The date commemorates the 1952 Bengali Language Movement in Bangladesh (then East Pakistan), where students lost their lives advocating for the recognition of their mother tongue, Bengali, as an official language.

Languages are more than just a means of communication—they are carriers of identity, history, and culture. With thousands of languages facing extinction due to globalization and sociopolitical changes, International Mother Language Day serves as a reminder to preserve linguistic heritage and support language education worldwide.

As a native Croatian speaker, I take great pride in my mother tongue, a language rich in history, dialects, and cultural expressions. Croatian is a South Slavic language with a unique script, grammar, and vocabulary that reflect the country’s diverse influences. It is spoken by millions and plays a key role in preserving Croatian identity and traditions.

Now, we’d love to hear from you! What is your mother tongue? Tell us more about its history, uniqueness, and what it means to you. Let’s celebrate linguistic diversity together!