每年的2月21日是国际母语日。这是联合国教科文组织在1999年宣布设立的，旨在促进语言和文化的多样性。目前，由于全球化进程，许多语言濒临灭绝。根据专家的数据，最近三代期间世界6000多种语言中消失了200多种。俄罗斯的200种语言中有22种处于频临灭绝状态，包括阿留申语、捷列克萨阿米语和伊特里门语
2012 international mother language day: mother tongue instruction and inclusive education
international mother language day was proclaimed by the general conference of the united nations educational, scientific and cultural organization (unesco) in november 1999 (30c/62).
on 16 may 2009 the united nations general assembly in its resolution a/res/61/266 called upon member states "to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world". by the same resolution, the general assembly proclaimed 2008 as the international year of languages, to promote unity in diversity and international understanding, through multilingualism and multiculturalism.
international mother language day has been observed every year since february 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. the date represents the day in 1952 when students demonstrating for recognition of their language, bangla, as one of the two national languages of the then pakistan, were shot and killed by police in dhaka, the capital of what is now bangladesh.
languages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our tangible and intangible heritage. all moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will serve not only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education but also to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.
历届主题
2000年的主题是：“首次国际母语日庆典（inaugural celebration of international mother language day）“；
2001年的主题是：“第二次年度庆典（second annual celebration）“；
2002年的主题是：“语言多样性：3000种濒危语言（linguistic diversity: 3,000 languages in danger）”
2003年的主题是：“第四次年度庆典（fourth annual celebration）“；
2004年的主题是：“儿童学习（children learning）“；
2005年的主题是：“盲文和符号语言（braille and sign languages）“；
2006年的主题是：“语言与网络空间（languages and cyberspace）“；
2007年的主题是：“多语言教育（multilingual education）“；
2008年的主题是：“国际语言年（ international year of languages）“；
2009年的主题是：“第十次年度庆典（ tenth annual celebration）“；
2010年的主题是：“国际文化友好年（international year for the rapprochement of cultures）“。