EKI project manager: Mother Language Day needs a new name, 214 languages spoken as native languages in Estonia

Ellen Vimberg, project manager of the Language Teaching Development Department at the Institute of the Estonian Language (EKI), writes that Estonia is home to representatives of 214 nationalities and over 30,000 children in schools are learning Estonian as a second language. Vimberg argues that the observance of Mother Language Day creates confusion among children with other native languages and suggests the day should instead be called Estonian Language Day.

Estonia is home to representatives of 214 nationalities today, a figure that has grown dramatically since the 1989 census, when 122 nationalities were recorded. This was noted by Ellen Vimberg, project manager of the Language Teaching Development Department at the Institute of the Estonian Language (EKI), who writes in her opinion piece about multilingualism, language learning, and the future of Mother Language Day.

Personal experience with multilingualism

Vimberg grew up in a household where Estonian and Russian existed side by side. Her brothers' experience reflects a language-based identity question driven by the lack of access to Estonian-language kindergarten, which made Russian their dominant language. Vimberg herself learned early in childhood, as early as age four, how important personal motivation is in language acquisition: she wanted to communicate with her grandmother, but they had no common language.

This experience has shaped her firm conviction: children with native languages other than Estonian must have free access to Estonian so they can shape their lives according to their talents and dreams, rather than being limited by language barriers.

214 nationalities in Estonian schools

According to data from the education portal Haridussilm, 30,556 children are learning Estonian as a second language in general education schools this school year. All 214 nationalities represented in Estonia are represented in the local educational landscape, enriching and diversifying the learning environment.

Vimberg points to scientific research showing that valuing a child's native language and cultural background promotes learning of school and societal languages. Strong proficiency in the native language also supports the acquisition of Estonian. "If we want children with different language and cultural backgrounds to learn Estonian successfully, we should not ask them to leave their native language at the schoolhouse door," Vimberg emphasizes.

Mother Language Day creates a paradox

Vimberg raises the question of whether the name of Mother Language Day is appropriate. Currently, 14 March is celebrated as Mother Language Day, a national holiday that values the Estonian language, and Vimberg does not doubt its importance, especially considering the Soviet legacy and the continued influence of our neighbor on the other side of the Narva River.

However, for the 30,556 children learning Estonian as a second language, the day's name creates confusion: if the school celebrates their native language as Estonian, children with other home languages are sidelined. If children think of their own native language, they move away from the day's core message.

Proposal: Estonian Language Day

As a solution, Vimberg proposes renaming Mother Language Day as Estonian Language Day, which would include everyone living in Estonia to celebrate together the language that helps strengthen society. She also recommends celebrating International Mother Language Day on 21 February to value each person's native language separately.

The author has a clear vision: "We should invite everyone living in this land to join us in celebrating the language whose adequate mastery would ultimately help bind our society together more strongly and more cohesively."