International Mother Language Day
On February 21, the world will mark, International Mother Language Day. It is a worldwide annual observance to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and to promote multilingualism. First announced by UNESCO on 17 November 1999, it was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002.
Jehovah’s Witnesses appreciate the need to reach people’s hearts using their mother tongue. This is especially true with regards to their message of hope for the future. The jw.org website is the most translated website in the world. It is translated into some 1,052 languages. In Nigeria, Jehovah’s Witnesses translate their publications into 31 Nigerian languages. Their official website www.jw.org is translated into 22 Nigerian languages, including Nigerian Sign Language. Publication downloads are available in 9 other Nigerian languages: Berom, Como Karim, Ebira, Ejagham, Fulfulde (Nigerian), Igala, Kamwe, Tarok, Yala.
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On April 4, 2021, the revised New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures was released in Igbo. This is in addition to the Yoruba, Isoko, and Efik languages.
The spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses in Nigeria, Olusegun Eroyemi, notes that there are over 600,000 video and audio materials that are provided in a variety of languages on subjects like: How to Break Free From Drug Addiction, Surviving the First Year of Marriage, Maintaining Commitment in Your Marriage, Am I Ready to Date? Is This Person Right for Me? The Best Help for Those Who Grieve, Is Life Worth Living When Disaster Strikes? How God’s Care Can Benefit You. Coping with Pandemic Anxiety, and many more. These materials can be downloaded for free.
It is well understood that the best way to motivate humans is to speak to them in the language that reaches the heart.
All are invited to visit www.jw.org and browse in their mother tongue.
Contact:
Olusegun Eroyemi
[email protected]
Nigeria Branch Office of Jehovah’s Witnesses
