On the occasion of International Mother Language Day (February 21), the UN is batting for multilingualism and teaching in mother tongue or home language at early education level (Now called Foundation Stage) for inclusion of children in schools and society both.
According to UNESCO, home languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion since education based on the first language or mother tongue in the early years provides a strong foundation of cognitive development and imparts joy of learning.
The UN has urged the world community to contribute to the United Nations International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032), for which UNESCO is the lead agency, which places multilingualism at the heart of indigenous peoples’ development.
UNESCO has underscored the following issues for this decade as follows.
Rethinking inclusive policy and practice in teaching and learning in multilingual contexts
Enhancing inclusion through multilingualism, including sign language, in early childhood education and care (ECCE), the foundation for learning
There is need to revive Haryanvi dialect and create language primer of early years learning by the Kids in Haryana with the words of which pictures can be made. Though Haryanavi language has the Devnagari script which has many words of Bangru due to influence of Bagari of Rajasthan and Ahirwati dialects spoken around Delhi.
If overall situation is seen, Haryanvi, as a composite language consists dialects such as Ahirwal, Bagri, Mewati, Khaddar and Braj. Haryanavi is needed to be developed as Regional language and early primary education is needed to to be imparted through it for unity in the dialects which are close to each other.
Ex-Raist, Arun Rathi, has been putting up Haryanvi-worded humour through his posts to promote communication in the dialect popular around Sonipat and Rohtak which I appreciated a lot since it enhanced my vocabulary.
In Hayana, the lead can be taken by the NGOs, social groups, alumni groups and educators to develop a picture book, charts, children's songs / poems book and primer in Haryanvi to begin with.
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