UNESCO Publishing: Museum International (for institutions)

In recent years, languages have come to be recognized as fundamental to cultural diversity.

The present issue of Museum International deals in its first part with the legal and ethical principles that define and account for the importance of linguistic diversity in UNESCO’s cultural mission. The appeal made to governments to formulate policies allowing communities to use their first or mother language is illustrated here by articles on the European Charter of Regional or Minority Languages, the Guaraní language and African languages.

That the use of the vernacular is essential not only for ‘being’ oneself, but also for fully participating in communal life is underlined in the second part of this issue, which addresses the role of linguistic diversity in the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. Recent or planned initiatives evoked in this regard include the ‘Museum of Language’ and the ‘House of Languages’.