ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

International Year of Indigenous Languages

The International Year of Indigenous Languages is a special year that countries and organizations all over the world have decided to have starting from 2019. This year is all about celebrating and recognizing the languages that are spoken by indigenous peoples all around the globe.

Now you may wonder, who are indigenous people? Indigenous people are those who have been living in a particular place for thousands of years before the arrival of others who came from different places. They have their own culture, beliefs, and most importantly, they speak a language that has been passed down from their ancestors.

It is important to celebrate indigenous languages because some of them are at risk of disappearing forever. This can happen because people are moving away from their traditional culture or because the younger generation is not learning these languages.

So during the International Year of Indigenous Languages, people are going to do special events and activities that will draw attention to these languages. For example, there will be workshops, storytelling, music, and dance performances, and even new apps and websites to help people learn and use these languages.

By doing all of these things, we can help to preserve and promote indigenous languages, and all the richness and diversity that comes with them. After all, every language is like a key to open up a new world of knowledge, and we shouldn't let any of them disappear.