Celebrating World Book Day!
World Book Day gives us a nice excuse to promote the production of books in the local languages. Particularly since this year there was a special emphasis on indigenous languages!
In line with the theme of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-32), for this year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has chosen the theme “Indigenous Languages”! According to their official statement, “Indigenous and local languages feature as part of the World Book Capital Network Charter, and the Charter recognizes a less rigid concept of ‘the book'; it also acknowledges all forms of literature (including oral traditions).” The statement also mentions that, “Of the almost 7,000 existing languages – many of which are fast disappearing – the majority are spoken by indigenous peoples who represent the greater part of the world's cultural diversity.” Therefore, they are stressing the importance of safeguarding these languages, the mother tongues of indigenous people.
A relatively easy way to be part of this drive to publish books in local languages is by using the Bloom Library. How about starting with translating and printing the Cat and Dog series in a local language you know? It will immediately give you a basic library at four different reading levels!
Note that the bloom library also already has story books in a number of Indian languages such as Hindi, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Bengali, Gujarati, Oriya, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, Maithili, Santhali, Nepali, and even Sanskrit. You can add yours and let the rest of India and the world benefit from it.
Happy World Book Day!
Regards,
Karsten and Upasana Lepcha
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