Feb. 24 is Chamorro-Carolinian Mother Language Day

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres is joined by supporters and other dignitaries outside the Office of the Governor after he signed the proclamation that declared Feb. 24, 2022, as CNMI Chamorro-Carolinian Mother Language Day and the next 10 years as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. (Office of the Governor)

The CNMI’s two indigenous languages, Chamorro and Carolinian, are taking center stage this month, with the designation of Thursday next week, Feb. 24, 2022, as CNMI Chamorro-Carolinian Mother Language Day. Also, the next 10 years from Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, to Feb. 21, 2032, has been designated in the CNMI as the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.

This comes soon after Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signed a proclamation yesterday at the Office of the Governor where Torres said the CNMI is joining the United Nations in declaring an International Decade of Indigenous Languages, to begin this year until 2032.

Yesterday’s proclamation notes that the CNMI issued a proclamation last Feb. 24, 2020, promoting the recognition of the International Mother Language Day to promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism in the CNMI.

“Hundreds of mother languages across the world face extinction causing demise of rich cultures, heritages, customs, and folk knowledge.

“Today there is growing awareness that languages play a vital role in development, in ensuring cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, but also in strengthening cooperation and attaining quality education for all, in building inclusive knowledge societies and preserving cultural heritage, and in mobilizing political will for applying the benefits of science and technology to sustainable development.

“It is the language that we communicate and participate in all aspects of society, and through language, people preserve their community’s history, customs and traditions, memory, inimitable modes of thinking, meaning, and expression, which are certainly utilized to plot and construct their future,” the proclamation states.

The indigenous languages of the CNMI are Chamorro and Carolinian but the proclamation notes that both languages are in the danger of disappearing.

“I strongly encourage our CNMI family to band together and raise awareness about the importance of supporting the goals and ideals of Mother Language Day and to bring attention to the importance of preserving linguistic and cultural heritage throughout the Commonwealth…by means of speaking and writing in the language, displaying exhibits, posters, signs, playing music, and performing dances to promote our mother languages,” he said. (Saipan Tribune)