Courtesy of MOIA
***NO CAPTION***
By Michael V. Cusenza
The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) on Tuesday released a newly designed immigrant resource roadmap in 52 languages. The roadmap includes a list of City resources and protected rights for all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status.
On Feb. 21, 1952, students in Bangladesh began the Language Movement for the right to speak, learn, and govern in their native language. Since then, International Mother Language Day (IMLD) became a national holiday that is observed to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. A mother language is the first language that someone speaks.
Every New Yorker has a right to speak and engage with New York City in their language; this right is protected by Local Law 30.
Courtesy of MOIA
***NO CAPTION***
On this year’s International Mother Language Day, the MOIA said it affirms and celebrates the linguistic diversity of the Big Apple—where more than 400 languages are spoken.
“Every language is filled with a rich culture,” said MOIA Commissioner Manuel Castro. “New York City would not be the incredible city it is without the 400-plus languages spoken in our five boroughs. As we observe International Mother Language Day, our office celebrates the city’s diversity by ensuring communities can access information and connect with their city in their own language.”
According to the United Nations, IMLD “recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion.” Additionally, the UN noted that “multilingual education based on mother-tongue facilitates access to and inclusion in learning for population groups that speak non-dominant languages, languages of minority groups and indigenous languages.”
New Yorkers can access the immigrant resource roadmap by visiting nyc.gov/immigrantresources.
