English Language Day 2024: English Language Day is celebrated and observed on the 23rd of April. The date is traditionally observed as both the birthday and date of William Shakespeare. It is an initiative by the Department of Global Communication.
The purpose of this day is to celebrate multilingualism and cultural diversity as well as to promote the equal use of all six languages throughout the Organisation. The world celebrates six separate days, each dedicated to one of six official languages Under the Initiative. These days are as follows:
- Arabic (18th December)
- Chinese (20th April)
- English (23rd April)
- French (20th March)
- Russian (6th June)
- Spanish (23rd April)
These dedicated days are also used to increase awareness and respect for the history, culture, and achievements of the six working languages in the UN community.
What is English Language Day?
This day was celebrated in 2010, along with Arabic Language Day, Chinese Language Day, French Language Day, Russian Language Day, and Spanish Language Day. Each language has a special day aimed to raise awareness of the history, achievements, and culture of these languages.
Why it is celebrated only on 23rd April?
It is because of William Shakespeare’s birthday and the anniversary of his death. He was writing in the 16th and 17th centuries and a lot of changes were going on in the English language. He introduced hundreds of new words and phrases that are still used commonly.
The Origins of English
English was introduced in the fifth century when German tribes invaded Celtic-speaking Britain and brought their language. People were unable to understand each other at first, however, the lower classes used English whereas the upper classes spoke French, but gradually English suppressed French.
By Shakespeare’s time, Modern English developed gradually, printing had been invented and people eventually started speaking correctly and vocabulary was als0 improved.
Shakespeare’s plays have been translated into every major language around the globe and have been performed more than anyone. He is one of the people who was born on the same date, born on 23rd April of1564 and died on 23rd of April 1616.