Page 10 - AHATA

A16 LOCAL
Saturday 22 February 2020

International Mother Language Day:
Do you know Papiamento?

ORANJESTAD — On May different native languag-
21, 2003, Papiamento was es, into the more complex
recognized as an official language it is today. At its
language in addition to base, the language is an
Dutch. Dutch and the local Afro-Portuguese Creole,
language, Papiamento, which, over the years, has
are the official languages grown in syntax and lexicon
of Aruba, but most Arubans with increased borrowings
speak a minimum of four from Dutch, English and
languages including Eng- Spanish, but still possessing
lish and Spanish. Yesterday its own unique rhythm and
was International Mother meanings.
Language Day. Let’s see Although in use as the na-
what you know about Pa- tive language for 300 years,
piamento. Papiamento was only de- threat, or disappearing al- been given a place in ed- throughout the world and
clared Aruba’s official lan- together. When languages ucation systems and the to inspire solidarity based
Aruba’s native language guage, alongside Dutch, as fade, so does the world's public domain, and less on understanding, toler-
embodies the friendliness of March 19, 2003. - Source: rich tapestry of cultural di- than a hundred are used in ance and dialogue. Every
for which the local popu- University of Aruba. versity. the digital world. Languag- two weeks a language dis-
lation is known, with the Opportunities, traditions, es are the most powerful in- appears taking with it an
language marked with an 43% languages endan- memory, unique modes of struments of preserving and entire cultural and intellec-
inclusive and open nature gered thinking and expression — developing our tangible tual heritage.
as represented in its unique Languages, with their com- valuable resources for en- and intangible heritage. International Mother Lan-
sayings and mannerisms. plex implications for iden- suring a better future — are All moves to promote the guage Day has been ob-
Unique to the ABC islands of tity, communication, social also lost. dissemination of mother served every year since
Aruba, Bonaire and Cura- integration, education and At least 43% of the estimat- tongues will serve not only February 2000 to promote
cao, Papiamento evolved development, are of stra- ed 6000 languages spoken to encourage linguistic di- linguistic and cultural di-
from a rudimentary pidgin tegic importance for peo- in the world are endan- versity and multilingual ed- versity and multilingual-
language, utilized for the ple and planet. Yet, due gered. ucation but also to develop ism. -Source: https://www.
purposes of communica- to globalization processes, Only a few hundred lan- fuller awareness of linguis- un.org/en/observances/
tion among peoples with they are increasingly under guages have genuinely tic and cultural traditions mother-language-day. q