Clear interpretation of languages, expressions important during pandemic: FM

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has laid emphasis on the importance of “clear and unambiguous” interpretation of languages and expressions in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In that context he said that some populist leaders used the pandemic as a “punching bag to ignite more nationalistic or sectarian firestorm of denial and division.

Whereas, Momen said, leaders like Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina or former German Chancellor Angela Merkel “spoke the language of compassion, solidarity, responsibility and inclusion.”

He made the remarks in a video message at the two-day virtual event celebrating the International Mother Language Day themed “Language in the Time of the Covid-19 Pandemic” organized by Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur in collaboration with the Centre for Genocide Studies, Dhaka University and School of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Taylor’s University, Malaysia that ended on Friday.

The event brought together diverse cultures and languages through the active and spontaneous participation of multiple countries and institutions, which reflects the essence of the International Mother Language Day.

Yumna Maumoon, Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage of Maldives highlighted the important role of language during pandemic with regard to get the right information about the virus and preventative measures be provided accurately to fight against it.

She also remembered the Language Movement of Bangladesh in 1952.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Md. Golam Sarwar said that the International Mother Language Day shows the spirit to preserve and protect the cultural and linguistic diversity.

Prof. Dr. Neethiahnanthan Ari Ragavan Executive Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences & Leisure Management Taylor’s University Malaysia touched on the linkage of languages towards the tapestry of cultures across borders.