聯合國教科文組織總幹事“國際母語日”致辭
All languages are linked through their origins and borrowing, but each is a unique source of meaning for understanding, writing and expressing reality.
從起源到後來的相互借鑑，所有語言都是相互聯繫的，但對於我們理解、記述與表現現實生活而言，每一種語言又都具有其獨特性。
Mother languages are special in providing the material with which the world is first voiced, the lens through which it is first understood. International Mother Language Day is a moment to recognize their importance and to mobilise for multilingualism and linguistic diversity.
母語的特殊意義在於爲我們提供了一種最初用話語表達的工具和認識這個世界的鏡子。國際母語日，我們要認識到母語的重要性並努力促進多語言使用和語言多樣性。
Mother languages, along with linguistic diversity, matter for the identity of individuals. As sources of creativity and vehicles for cultural expression, they are also important for the health of societies. Not least, languages are factors for development and growth. We know how important education in the mother language is for learning outcomes. Mother language instruction is a powerful way to fight discrimination and reach out to marginalised populations. As wellsprings of knowledge, languages are also starting points for greater sustainability in development, for managing more harmoniously our relationship with the environment and change.
母語以及語言多樣性與個人的身份認同息息相關。作爲創造性的源泉和文化表達的載體，它們對於社會的健康也至關重要。語言還是促進發展和增長的要素。我們深知母語教育對學習成績的重要性。母語教學是消除歧視和幫助邊緣化人羣的有效工具。作爲知識的源泉，語言也是提高發展的可持續性以及更和諧地調整我們與環境之間的關係和管理變革的出發點。
Multilingualism opens fabulous opportunities for the dialogue that is necessary to understanding and cooperation. Mother languages live harmoniously with the acquisition of other languages. A plural linguistic space allows the wealth of diversity to put in common. It accelerates the exchange of knowledge and experience. This was one of the core themes of the 2010, International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures. Building on the mother language, the learning of multiple languages must be a pillar of 21st century education.
多語言使用爲理解與合作所必需的對話創造了絕佳的機會。母語與掌握其他語言並行不悖。語言多元化的環境讓人們共享多樣化的財富，促進知識與經驗的交流。這是 2010 國際文化和睦年的核心主題。在母語的基礎上進一步學習多種語言必須成爲 21 世紀教育的一個支柱。
At the same time, we can do more to support the balanced development of translation, as a channel to open to all the great diversity of knowledge and experience throughout the world.
與此同時，我們要更加支持翻譯事業的均衡發展，它是通向全世界豐富多彩的知識與經驗寶庫的一條途徑。
The theme of the 2011 International Mother Language Day concerns the use of information and communication technologies for safeguarding and promoting languages and linguistic diversity.
2011年國際母語日的主題是利用信息與傳播技術保護和促進語言與語言多樣性。
Languages provide the software for information and communication technologies. These technologies are also a new frontier for promoting linguistic diversity. UNESCO is committed to promoting multilingualism on the Internet. These goals guide UNESCO in its work with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.
語言是信息與傳播技術的軟件。這些技術也爲促進語言多樣性拓展了新的疆域。聯合國教科文組織致力於推動互聯網上多種語言的使用。教科文組織與互聯網名稱與數字地址分配機構的合作也是基於這種目的。
Innovative technologies provide new ways also to follow, examine and learn languages. The success of the online edition of UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger shows the power of the Internet to track the state of languages and multilingualism, and to raise awareness with a global audience.
創新的技術還爲我們觀察、研究和學習語言提供了新的手段。教科文組織《世界瀕危語言圖譜》網絡版的巨大成功展現了互聯網在監測語言現狀和多語言使用狀況以及面向全球受衆提高人們認識方面的強大力量。
Information and communication technologies can be especially useful in promoting mother languages. We must harness the power of progress to protect diverse visions of the world and to promote all sources of knowledge and forms of expression. These are the threads that weave the tapestry of humanity’s story. The innovation, flexibility and social interaction that lie at the heart of new information and communication technologies can support these goals. On this International Mother Language Day, let us pledge to work together in this direction.
信息與傳播技術在倡導母語方面可發揮特別重要的作用。我們必須利用科技進步的力量，保護各種不同的世界觀，促進各種來源的知識和表達形式。它們是編織人類歷史掛毯的絲線。創新、靈活和社會交流，作爲新的信息與傳播技術的核心要素，有助於我們實現這些目標。值此國際母語日之際，讓我們決心爲此而共同努力。
