The day is held annually worldwide to promote peace and raise awareness of the diverse languages we speak, learn and use to connect within our communities.
Mayor Lisa Lake said that with such a diverse community in Cumberland, it was vitally important to acknowledge our many cultures and continue practising the mother tongue of the different languages spoken in our communities.
Mayor Lake said at least 43 percent of the estimated 6,000 languages spoken in the world were endangered and when they disappeared they took an entire cultural and intellectual heritage.
“Languages are the most powerful instruments for developing and preserving cultural heritage and identity,” she said.
“The acknowledgement of languages in local communities helps to spread an understanding and appreciation of our diverse community.”
Cumberland is one of the most multilingual communities in Sydney comprising 67 different languages with more than half of the population speaking another language at home.
Cumberland libraries collectively stock more than 31,000 books, magazines and digital materials in more than 20 different languages. Each of the eight libraries in Cumberland have an “Ekushey Corner” to help conserve, promote and protect mother languages.
Mayor Lake said the decline of mother languages had been a driving force behind the establishment of Ekushey Corners.
“Cumberland is one of the most multicultural communities in Sydney and welcomes people from all language and cultural backgrounds,” she said.
“Our libraries support our multicultural communities by providing collections in languages other than English, and provides a place to connect with others and create a more inclusive community.”
