International Mother Language Day was established in 1999 and is intended to help protect linguistic diversity as a cultural heritage. This day has been observed at the Faculty of Philology of the University of Lodz since 2016. The adopted formula of the event includes workshops and lectures for high school students, preparation of thematic stands full of language games and activities, and a meeting with a special guest.
Numerous attractions and record attendance
During this year's edition, we managed to break the previous record – 9 student science clubs operating at the Institute of Polish Philology and Logopaedics were involved in the organisation of the event. In total, its organisation involved about 80 people (students, doctoral students and employees). This is probably the best proof that the initiative has taken root and our student science clubs are functioning efficiently
– emphasises dr hab. Anna Lenartowicz-Zagrodna, UL Professor, coordinator of the faculty celebrations of the International Mother Language Day.
The event participants took part in workshops and lectures devoted to, among others, linguistic dilemmas of Poles, dialectal styling in "Wesele" by Stanisław Wyspiański and exercises in the field of voice emission. The UL students also prepared stands with games and activities. You could test your knowledge of the language, Polish literature and culture, and win some gifts. Over 300 students from 9 high schools from Sieradz, Łęczyca, Turek, Zduńska Wola, Radomsko, Bełchatów, Zgierz, Kłodawa and Zelów participated in the activities.
A conversation with the master
The meeting with a special guest, Jacek Cygan was the culmination of the celebrations. The audience could find out what, according to the versatile creator of Polish culture and the Master of Polish Speech, the condition of the Polish language and the linguistic awareness of its users are. The conversation was led by Agata Becherka (student of Polish studies) and Jakub Sroka (University of Lodz Doctoral School of Humanities).
International Mother Language Day – fun and development
How do the participants assess the event?
The schools send their thanks and are already expressing their willingness to participate in the next year's edition of the event and in other events organised at the Faculty of Philology. It touched me that students from one of the grades considered International Mother Language Day the most educational project they have ever participated in. I believe that this is the best recommendation and encouragement for the organisers to keep undertaking such activities
– concludes Prof. Lenartowicz-Zagrodna.
Source: Faculty of Philology, University of Lodz