culture

A great number of languages are presently used around the world. Many of them are spoken only within a certain region or tribe and some are gradually disappearing.

Linguists said that thousands of languages are not available in the media, publications and public spaces, and they are concerned that if effective measures are not taken, the rate of extinction of some languages will be faster than that of endangered animals and plants.

Experts assert that the death of a national language means the end of that nation, and the international community regards the crisis of language extinction as one of the most serious problems facing mankind today.

In 1999, the UNESCO set February 21 every year as International Mother Language Day. It was geared to preserving the languages of the world, stepping up the sustainable development of diverse cultures and promoting mutual understanding among the peoples of different countries.

Language is one of the common features of a nation as well as an important element characterizing the national form of culture.

Therefore, many countries are trying to maintain their national character while directing great efforts to developing their national language.

Efforts are also being made on a worldwide scale to protect the national languages and maintain the diversity of language.

In the DPRK, the national language with the cultured Pyongyang dialect as the standard is developing as required by the socialist lifestyle.

The cultured Pyongyang dialect, which is regarded as one of the most excellent languages of the world for its fluent sound and outstanding power of expression that can convey complex and delicate feelings and even subtle differences in things and phenomena, is a popular language refined in a modern way and embodying the unique characteristics and excellence of the national language.

The Korean people are proud of having the cultured Pyongyang dialect which is associated with the spirit of the Korean nation.