All languages are linked through their origins and borrowing, but each is a unique source of meaning for understanding, writing and expressing reality.

从起源到后来的相互借鉴，所有语言都是相互联系的，但对于我们理解、记述与表现现实生活而言，每一种语言又都具有其独特性。

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 linguistic¹ diversity.

母语的特殊意义在于为我们提供了一种最初用话语表达的工具和认识这个世界的镜子。国际母语日，我们要认识到母语的重要性并努力促进多语言使用和语言多样性。

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 harmoniously² our relationship with the environment and change.

母语以及语言多样性与个人的身份认同息息相关。作为创造性的源泉和文化表达的载体，它们对于社会的健康也至关重要。语言还是促进发展和增长的要素。我们深知母语教育对学习成绩的重要性。母语教学是消除歧视和帮助边缘化人群的有效工具。作为知识的源泉，语言也是提高发展的可持续性以及更和谐地调整我们与环境之间的关系和管理变革的出发点。

Multilingualism opens fabulous³ opportunities for the dialogue that is necessary to understanding and cooperation. Mother languages live harmoniously with the acquisition of other languages. A plural⁴ 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.

多语言使用为理解与合作所必需的对话创造了绝佳的机会。母语与掌握其他语言并行不悖。语言多元化的环境让人们共享多样化的财富，促进知识与经验的交流。这是 2010 国际文化和睦年的核心主题。在母语的基础上进一步学习多种语言必须成为 21 世纪教育的一个支柱。

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.

与此同时，我们要更加支持翻译事业的均衡发展，它是通向全世界丰富多彩的知识与经验宝库的一条途径。

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年国际母语日的主题是利用信息与传播技术保护和促进语言与语言多样性。

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.

语言是信息与传播技术的软件。这些技术也为促进语言多样性拓展了新的疆域。联合国教科文组织致力于推动互联网上多种语言的使用。教科文组织与互联网名称与数字地址分配机构的合作也是基于这种目的。

Innovative⁵ technologies provide new ways also to follow, examine and learn languages. The success of the online edition of UNESCO’s Atlas⁶ of the World’s Languages in Danger shows the power of the Internet to track the state of languages and multilingualism, and to raise awareness⁷ with a global audience.

创新的技术还为我们观察、研究和学习语言提供了新的手段。教科文组织《世界濒危语言图谱》网络版的巨大成功展现了互联网在监测语言现状和多语言使用状况以及面向全球受众提高人们认识方面的强大力量。

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 tapestry⁸ of humanity’s story. The innovation, flexibility⁹ 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.

信息与传播技术在倡导母语方面可发挥特别重要的作用。我们必须利用科技进步的力量，保护各种不同的世界观，促进各种来源的知识和表达形式。它们是编织人类历史挂毯的丝线。创新、灵活和社会交流，作为新的信息与传播技术的核心要素，有助于我们实现这些目标。值此国际母语日之际，让我们决心为此而共同努力。