LFCG Language Exchange
Last February, in the framework of the International Mother Language Day, the LFCG Diversity Club organised the second edition of the . for students and teachers. The objective of the activity was to encourage students to learn about other cultures and languages, and to celebrate each student who speaks different languages, dialects, and patois, at any level.
Three sessions were organised to allow a large number of students to join in. Each of them started with a presentation about the Mother Language Day, and a participatory discussion on the number and diversity of languages that exist today in the world, raising awareness among the students who were not necessarily familiar with the topic. CIPL participated through one of our committee members, who presented two indigenous languages from Mexico: Náhuatl and Maya. We were very impressed by the excellent organization and by the dedication of all the team at the Diversity and Inclusion Club, as well as by the children’s enthusiasm, genuine interest, and excitement in sharing the languages they speak in addition to French and English.
Every child’s contribution was valued and it was clear that everyone felt comfortable, happy and celebrated in sharing a bit of the key words and fun expressions of languages they know, and in learning from others. Teachers and CPE were also present, contributing and engaging with various children and asking interesting questions to all of us who presented languages at this event.
This was also an opportunity for everyone to realise the importance of keeping alive our Mother Languages because each language reflects different views of the world, and has specific concepts or notions that cannot be explained in a single word in other languages.
For instance, in Náhuatl we don’t say: how are you? We say: Tlein kihtoa moyolla? which means: How is your heart doing? And we don’t say: “I miss you”, we say: Mitzemoah noyollo, which means “my heart keeps looking for you”.
The . is undoubtedly a very important initiative that contributes to making LFCG a safer and more inclusive space for everyone, day by day. CIPL thanks LFCG and the organisers - particularly Ms. Aggas- for inviting us, and looks forward to continuing supporting this, and any other activities by the Diversity and Inclusion Club in the future.
Click here for a video or last year’s . .
With special thanks to Ms Agusta Aggas and Ms. Amelia Hunt for their extraordinary work and for the success of this event, in this photo with Wanda Muñoz from CIPL. No photos of the children were taken to respect their privacy.
Or as the Language Exchange website says . … Dankie, شكرا, ধন্যবাদ, 唔該, Děkuji, Dank je, Kiitos, Merci, Danke, ευχαριστώ, Mahalo, תּוֹדָה, धन्यवाद, Takk, Terima kasih, Grazie, ありがとう, ឣរគុណ, 고마워, 谢谢, धन्यवाद, سپاسگزارم, Dziękuję ci, Obrigado, Mulţumesc, Cпасибо, Gracias, Asante, Tack, Salamat, ขอบคุณ, Teşekkür ederim, Дякую, شکریہ, Cảm ơn !
