It is known that we dissect nature along lines laid down by our native language and that language is not simply a reporting device for experience but a defining framework for it. Language is the armory of the human mind, and at once contains the trophies of its past and the weapons of its future conquests. No one has any doubt that language shapes the way we think, and determines what we can think about. Many people are alarmed when a plant or animal species become extinct. A language dying hits even closer to us for it means a unique creation of human beings is gone from the world. An updated data base on the World’s Languages in Danger provides information about approximately 2,500 endangered languages around the world.

To promote the recognition and practice of the world’s mother tongues, International Mother Language Day is celebrated annually on February 21. The celebration this year highlights the importance of multilingualism, foreign languages learning, and translations for peace and dialogue, within the framework of the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures as declared by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

An International Symposium: Translation and Cultural Mediation was organized on the occasion of the 11th International Mother Language Day in collaboration with the International Association for Translation and Intercultural Studies (IATIS) at The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has launched the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures during 22-23 February 2010 at UNESCO – 7 Place de Fontenoy, Paris.

Experts from different parts of the world participated in the same and from India Dr Nirupama Prakash Professor from Birla Institute of Technology and Science – BITS Pilani Rajasthan was invited as resource person. Presently at BITS Pilani Prof Nirupama is Women Studies & Societal Development Unit Chief, Group Leader Humanistic Studies as well as Coordinator for Hospital and Health Systems Management degree Program. In the panel discussion, she spoke on Translation, Information Technologies and Gender in a Rajasthan Case Study.

About BITS Pilani: The Birla Institute of Technology and Science - BITS Pilani is a Deemed to be University established vide Sec.3 of the UGC Act, 1956 under notification No. F.12-23/63.U-2 of June 18, 1964. NAAC - National Assessment and Accreditation Council reaccredited BITS with 3.71 CGPA out of 4 and awarded "A" grade "Very Good" status. It is indeed a matter of pride that for the year 2009, BITS Pilani has been ranked among the top ranking universities along with IITs in various Magazine surveys such as India Today, Outlook, LiveMint DataQuest etc. BITS offers degrees in various disciplines presently at Pilani, Dubai, Goa and Hyderabad campuses. BITS Pilani has done pioneering work in industry university collaborations in terms of Practice School and Work Integrated Learning Programmes. Alumni of the Institute who are Proud to be BITSians and ambassadors for Brand BITS Pilani are spread across all continents from Australia to America.

Dr BR Natarajan
Professor & Vice President BITS Alumni Association - BITSAA
BITS Pilani Rajasthan 333031 India
Phone 91-1596-242210
Fax 91-1596-244183
Email: brnt(at)bits-pilani.ac.in
Website: www.bits-pilani.ac.in

This release was published on openPR.