Seagull Jonathan felt the urge to fly high once again – across Europe, to experience how people meet, even if they do not speak the same language. Already at his first stop in Germany, Jonathan noticed: There are often initial uncertainties because some words sound foreign or dialects sound so very different. But as soon as people engaged with each other, they realized that behind every unfamiliar voice is a unique story – often beautiful, full of warmth and surprises.
Curious, Jonathan followed the updrafts to Austria. In a picturesque village, he met a group of immigrants who had gradually learned to communicate with the locals. Initially, it was difficult for everyone, as every word had to be laboriously translated, and some idioms were not understood by anyone. But over time, mutual trust grew. The more they laughed together and shared stories, the richer life became in this village.
Then Jonathan thought of his little friends in Stein (Dacia, Romania), who gather in a former parsonage. From an early age, there is a colorful mix of Roma, Hungarians, and Romanians. Thanks to these early encounters, the children grow up naturally together, learning to communicate in different languages and dialects, and discovering that inclusion does not allow barriers to arise in the first place. Everyone is encouraged to preserve their peculiarities, but at the same time be open to those of others – and thus a community is created in which every child belongs from the start.
Before his flight home, Jonathan landed on a hill to enjoy the vastness of the sky and the land. He thought of all the wonderful stories he had heard on his journey – about distant homelands, new dreams, and the often rocky paths people have taken. Yes, it takes courage and openness to immerse oneself in foreign languages. But every new sound, every discovered idiom, gives us insights into a life that is richer and more colorful than expected.
With a satisfied cry, Jonathan took to the air again. He now knew: Learning another language may be challenging, but it is worth it. Those who engage in it discover not only words but wonderful people and their unique stories. And just like the children in Stein, it shows us that despite all differences, more unites us than divides us.
International Mother Language Day
International Mother Language Day is celebrated every year on February 21. It was initiated by UNESCO in November 1999 to raise awareness of the importance of linguistic diversity and multilingualism. The date commemorates February 21, 1952, when students in Dhaka (now Bangladesh) lost their lives while advocating for the recognition of their mother language (Bengali).The aim of the commemorative day is to draw attention to the importance of mother languages for cultural identity and education and to advocate for the preservation of linguistic diversity. This is intended to prevent languages and dialects from disappearing, which would mean a great loss of cultural heritage. At the same time, the day emphasizes the role of multilingualism in global understanding and inclusive education systems.
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