World Portuguese Language Day is annually observed across the globe on May 5 to highlight the important role the Portuguese language plays in maintaining human civilization and culture.
Background:
i. Since 2005, the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) Member States have observed May 5 as a day of the Portuguese language and Lusophone culture.
- On their initiative, the CPLP Member States also organised the 1st celebration of the Portuguese language at the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) headquarters (Paris, France) in 2006.
ii. The UNESCO General Conference’s 40th session, held in 2019, proclaimed May 5 of every year as “World Portuguese Language Day”.
iii. The 1st ever World Language Day was observed on 5th May 2020.
History of Portuguese Language:
i. The Portuguese language, one of the world’s most spoken and widespread languages across the globe, originated from Latin in the Western Iberian Peninsula.
- Portuguese is the official language of Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Sao Tome and Principe, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Macao, Equatorial Guinea and East Timor
- It is also used in Macau, a territory under Portuguese administration until 1999, and in Goa.
ii. A Portuguese-speaking person or nation is referred to as “Lusophone” (lusófono).
iii. Around 228.5 million people speak Portuguese as their first (mother) language worldwide.
iv. It is also the official language of the UNESCO General Conference and several other multiple regional organisations.
About the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO):
Director-General- Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters- Paris, France
Establishment- 1945 (came into force in 1946)
Members- 193 Members and 11 Associate Members.
