English Language Day
English Language Day is celebrated on 23 April annually and is a United Nations (UN) observance day. The day coincides with both the birthday and death day of William Shakespeare and World Book Day. The English language is one of the most popular languages used across the world. The day prospects the development, history, culture, and achievements associated with the language.
English is the most widely spoken language or a "world language". Therefore, it is known as lingua franca of the modern era.
Basically, the main purpose of the UN's language days is to observe multilingualism and cultural diversity. The days also promote the equal use of all six official languages throughout the Organisation.
At the UN, the Language days aims to entertain and to inform about the goal of raising awareness and respect for the history, culture, and achievements of each of the six working languages among the UN community.
The celebrations of the day for 2021 focuses on Africa. English is spoken in about two dozen African countries as an official language or widely used in education, administration, law, business, the mass media, and literature, the top five (by the number of inhabitants) gathering nearly 500 million people. English is also one of the official languages of the African Union and of various Africa's subregional organisations.
Multilingualism is an essential factor in harmonious communication among peoples. By promoting tolerance, it ensures effective and increased participation of all the Organisation's work, as well as greater effectiveness and involvement with better outcomes.
The key role of the language is shaping cultural and social attitudes by using gender-inclusive language as a powerful way to boost gender equality and eradicate gender bias. It also does not perpetuate gender stereotypes.
Therefore, English Language Day is observed on 23 April to generate awareness regarding the importance of language.
Vice-Dean of the
Faculty of Foreign Languages