Every year on 21 February, the world unites to observe International Mother Language Day, a global celebration dedicated to promoting linguistic and cultural diversity and safeguarding the world’s endangered languages.
Instituted by UNESCO in 1999, this year marks the 26th anniversary of the observance. Across the globe, communities reflect on the vital role mother tongues play in shaping identity, heritage, and intergenerational knowledge.
In the Maldives, where the Dhivehi language is deeply interwoven with the nation’s cultural fabric, this year’s theme strikes a particularly urgent chord. Experts and educators warn of a growing shift toward English in daily communication — especially among younger generations — raising alarms about the gradual erosion of the Dhivehi language. From classrooms to homes, English words are increasingly replacing native vocabulary, a trend observed across all age groups and genders, threatening to disconnect future Maldivians from their linguistic roots.
“The greatest service that can be done for the language today is simply to speak it — clearly, proudly, and without error,” emphasised Ashraf Ali, a prominent Dhivehi linguist.
This sentiment was echoed by Mohamed Asrar, a dedicated Dhivehi language teacher, who highlighted the crucial role of education in reviving linguistic pride.
“Instilling love for the Dhivehi language in students is essential. They will be the ones carrying the language into society — into workplaces, families, and public life. If they don’t value it now, who will speak it tomorrow?” he told PSM News.
The Dhivehi language, with its ancient roots and unique script, is more than a tool for communication — it is a living archive of Maldivian history, geography, and tradition. Regional dialects, especially in the southern atolls, reflect centuries of cultural evolution, with distinct phonetics, expressions, and vocabulary that capture the nuances of island life, the rhythms of the sea, and the depth of local customs.
Yet, as globalization accelerates, the survival of mother tongues like Dhivehi hangs in the balance. The solution, many agree, lies not in grand policies alone but in individual commitment. As the Maldives commemorates International Mother Language Day, the call is clear—to preserve the nation’s linguistic soul, every word spoken in Dhivehi is an act of resistance — and of love.