Celebrate the Richness of Mother Tongue and Heritage Languages

Join us in honoring the diverse tapestry of Indian languages that connect us to Indian roots and cultural identities. Discover the beauty and significance of mother tongue and heritage languages through engaging events and activities.

Celebrating Mother Languages of India

The Mother Language Celebration is dedicated to preserving and promoting the languages of India that form the foundation of Indian cultural heritage. Join our celebration of International Mother Language Month as we highlight the important role played by multilingualism in India, where 145 languages and 1,600 mother tongues are used daily. Expect a series of interactive activities and events designed to deepen your understanding and appreciation of linguistic diversity.

How will we honor Indian writers, Indian heritage writers, and writers of the Indian diaspora? Read on!

Your Questions Answered

Here are answers to your questions, including all the details you need to participate.

How can I participate in the celebration?

To participate, follow the instructions below. We welcome everyone interested in celebrating and preserving heritage languages.

1) Text Selection: Read texts written by an Indian author, Indian heritage author, or author of the Indian diaspora in its original or translated form.

2) Text-Life Connection: Please share what you have read with a friend.

3) Share With Fulbrighters: (Family and Friends, too). Submit a brief reflection about each text by following the above suggestions.

How do I submit my text selection?

Submit as 1 min video or 1 powerpoint slide

Use the Google form or submit it as an attachment to the listed emails. Scan the QR code on the flyer or use the link below.
https://tinyurl.com/FIIGMotherLanguage

Where can I see my submission?

Look for your summaries on our Fulbright India Interest Group social media pages and website in February.

Have More Questions?

Feel free to reach out to us and we can help you with the process.
Contact: Advocacy Team Director, Sharolyn Pollard; Persis Naumann; or Loren Hershey

persis.naumann@fulbrightmail.org indiainterestgroup@fulbright.org

Upcoming Events

Language Education Inequities

Februray 2025
FREE
Build an awareness of the issues that challenge the equitable development and maintenance of multilingualism in India and in the U.S. In India, language loss continues and can be attributed to several factors. Language loss continues to occur perhaps even in the Indian diaspora when individuals may discontinue using the heritage language. The debates about language education and the role of Indian languages and English in the Indian educational system continue.
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Heritage Language Maintenance

February 2025
FREE
Build awareness about the value of heritage/indigenous language maintenance in educational settings in India and in the U.S. In the U.S. bilingualism typically means using the heritage language to develop English as a Second Language (ESL) while not promoting continued academic use of the heritage language. In India, the Three Language Formula (TLF) as an educational policy promotes multilingualism although the implementation of this policy is not always equitable.
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Future Language Scholars

February 2025
FREE
Advocate within the Fulbright Program during the official advocacy period to meet with congressional members to raise awareness about the value of the India Fulbright program and to advocate for additional funding to support grants for U.S. scholars and students to travel to India and for Indian scholars and students to travel to the United States. Advocate for future scholars (e.g., linguists, linguist anthropologists, language educators) who focus on language education rights, language planning/policies, indigenous languages, etc. to consider participating in the Fulbright India program (research, teaching, etc.).
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International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032

Potential Dates: 2025 – 2026

Coming Soon…
UNESCO encourages the promotion and celebration of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. The IIG Advocacy Group will organize a guest speaker who will provide a talk on the current condition and challenges for providing an equitable education for speakers of indigenous languages in India. The FIIG Advocacy Group will provide a guest speaker from the U.S. who will provide a talk on the current conditions and challenges for providing an equitable education for Indigenous Americans.
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Watch Fulbrighters In Action

Celebration Moments Captured

Stay Informed with Our Updates

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Celebrate With Us!

Share Your Mother Tongue & Heritage Language Journey
Join the Celebration