European Day of Languages
Next: September 26, 2027
Learn to say hello in one more.
The story
Where it comes from
The Council of Europe and the European Union declared 2001 the European Year of Languages, and at its close the Council of Europe made 26 September an annual European Day of Languages, to celebrate the continent's linguistic diversity and encourage lifelong language learning.
How it's celebrated
Schools, language institutes and embassies hold taster lessons, quizzes and film screenings; cities put up multilingual signs; people are challenged to learn a phrase in a language they do not speak. Events happen well beyond Europe through cultural institutes such as the Alliance Française, Goethe-Institut and Instituto Cervantes.
Did you know
- Europe has over 200 indigenous languages, roughly three per cent of the world's total.
- Around half the world's population speaks at least two languages.
- Malaysia is among the most multilingual countries: Malay, English, Mandarin, Tamil and several Chinese and Indian languages are heard daily.
Coming up next
- World Tourism Day · September 27, 2027
- World Rabies Day · September 28, 2027
- World Heart Day · September 29, 2027
- International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste · September 29, 2027
- International Translation Day · September 30, 2027
- World Maritime Day · September 30, 2027