Academy: Want to serve linguistics? Speak proper Dhivehi

As the world celebrates International Mother Language Day, Dhivehi Bahuge Academy appeals to all Maldivians to provide service to the Dhivehi language by speaking in proper Dhivehi instead of integrating other languages into day-to-day conversations.

“We need to develop the practice of speaking in proper Dhivehi. This is the greatest service anyone can do to Dhivehi language. Speaking the language, speaking in proper Dhivehi language,” said President of Dhivehi Bahuge Academy, Ashraf Ali, in his exclusive interview to “Sun”.

Ashraf stressed that the Dhivehi language symbolized the individuality of Maldivians.

He said that the academy was conducting courses to educate State employees as well as the general public on proper use of Dhivehi language.

He said that using a mix of languages during normal conversations was of concern as it muddled the understanding of Dhivehi language among younger generations of Maldivians.

“When talking to children, don’t mix up languages. If you speak in English, speak in proper English. If you speak in Dhivehi, speak in proper Dhivehi. Mixing the two languages will muddle up both the languages for the child,” said Ashraf.

The theme for International Mother Language Day 2017 by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is “Towards Sustainable Futures through Multilingual Education.”

International Mother Language Day is celebrated on February 21 to promote peace and multilingualism. The date corresponds to February 21, 1952 when students from University of Dhaka, Jagannath College and Dhaka Medical College were shot dead by police while demonstrating for recognition of Bengali as a national language.