Iranian Writers Association: Mother Tongue is Part of Freedom of Expression

The Iranian Writers Association issued a statement on the occasion of February 21, International Mother Language Day, declaring that the mother tongue is part of 'freedom of expression.' The statement noted that when the cry of 'Zan, Zindagi, Azadi' (Woman, Life, Freedom) rose from Kurdistan and spread across the protests in various parts of Iran and beyond, it was not merely a code name for freedom-seeking protests but carried an important message. The Iranian Writers Association added that differences in languages should not negate human solidarity; rather, they can strengthen the bonds among people. It stated, 'It is the powerful and regressive thinkers against freedom and human cohesion who create ethnic divisions from language differences and spread them among people.' The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated February 21 as International Mother Language Day in 1999 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity. A decade later, in 2008, the UN General Assembly declared that year as the 'International Year of Languages' due to the importance of the issue. The Iranian Writers Association emphasized that the diversity of languages and cultures together creates a beautiful and humane collection that reflects the equality of people in exercising their right to benefit from their mother tongue. The association also stated that individuals express their feelings and thoughts better, deeper, and clearer in their mother tongue, thereby fully utilizing their freedom of expression. The association described the 'prohibition of languages in educational, developmental, and expressive dimensions' as a violation of a part of the human and citizen rights of the people. The statement mentioned that currently, several 'civil activists defending the mother tongue' are in 'prison and exile,' and many have been summoned multiple times to 'police and security centers,' all of whom should be freed from 'harassment and pressures.' Meanwhile, the Coordination Council of Cultural Teachers' Associations of Iran also issued a separate statement on the occasion of International Mother Language Day, defending the 'right to education in the mother tongue,' stating that 'the continuation of a monolingual educational policy without regard to citizens' linguistic perspectives' is 'unscientific, undemocratic, and completely wrong.' Previously, based on a survey conducted by the 'Gomaan Institute,' 65% of the surveyed population agreed with teaching the mother tongue in schools alongside Persian. However, 61% opposed teaching the mother tongue instead of Persian at universities. This survey, conducted in Farvardin 1401 (March-April 2022), also indicated that about 84% of the population considers Persian the best option for an official or intermediary language in Iran. The United Nations website regarding International Mother Language Day states that multilingual and multicultural communities progress by preserving their languages as channels of traditional knowledge and cultural heritage. According to this report, linguistic diversity faces increasing threats as more languages disappear, and currently, 40% of the world's population does not have access to education in their mother tongue, with this figure exceeding 90% in some regions. The UN website emphasizes the role of languages in promoting inclusivity and achieving sustainable development goals, stating that multilingual education policies are crucial for inclusive education and the preservation of indigenous languages. By starting education in the mother tongue and gradually introducing other languages, barriers between home and school are removed, facilitating effective learning. The website notes that multilingual education not only promotes inclusive communities but also helps preserve non-dominant, minority, and indigenous languages, which is foundational for achieving equitable access to education and lifelong learning opportunities for all individuals.