A Mother Tongue, Miles Away

I was born and raised far away from Bangladesh, yet every year on 21 February, the day feels deeply personal. Growing up, I heard countless stories about 1952, about students who gave their lives to protect their mother tongue, Bangla. What began as a protest became a defining moment in our history, a symbol of courage and identity. Even though I learned about it at the dinner table or by reading books instead of in the streets of Dhaka, the meaning of the day slowly became part of who I am.

This wonderful art piece was created by Elin Ahmed, Grade 4, daughter of Dr. Faisal Ahmed Back home in Bangladesh, people wake up before dawn and walk barefoot to the Shaheed Minar, placing flowers in silence to honor those young lives. I visited the monument once, and the memory has stayed with me ever since. The quiet lines of people, the songs softly playing, and the flowers covering the steps made the meaning of the day feel real in a way I had never experienced before. I also learned that the spirit of the day is not only about Bangla but about protecting all mother tongues, including indigenous and Aboriginal languages around the world. This global message is reflected even here in Canada, where Bill S-214, the International Mother Language Day Act, officially recognized February 21 as International Mother Language Day. Here in Canada, the day passes quietly around me. I may not see the monuments covered in flowers or hear patriotic songs echoing through the streets, but I still feel that quiet pride. Because language is more than words. Language carries memory, culture, and belonging. Canada itself is home to many languages, including English, French, and numerous Indigenous languages, so the meaning of International Mother Language Day connects deeply with conversations about preserving cultural heritage. When I speak Bangla at home, thousands of miles away, it feels like an act of remembrance and connection, something that continues to tie me to my roots wherever I am. Ultimately, 21 February is a reminder that identity is not defined only by where we grow up, but it is shaped by the stories passed down to us. Even while living far from the land where this history unfolded, its meaning lives on in everyday moments, as each conversation in Bangla becomes a quiet tribute to those who protected the right to speak it. In this way, the legacy of the day continues not only in monuments and ceremonies, but in the voices of people around the world who keep their mother tongues alive.

A Mother Tongue, Miles Away

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