Asghar Zareh Kahnamouei – February 1, 2014
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| Asghar Zareh Kahnamouei |
“Teaching the mother tongue” is a right. Who can deny this fundamental and foundational right?
The statements made by certain esteemed members of the Academy of Persian Language and Literature, criticizing the "right to teach the mother tongue," are both astonishing and regrettable. This astonishment and regret become even more profound when figures like Fathollah Mojtabai, Bahaeddin Khoramshahi, and Mohammad-Ali Mo’vhed, who are cultural luminaries rather than political opportunists, voice such criticisms. These individuals, who recognize the value of language and are acquainted with at least one non-Persian language, understand that every language has intrinsic worth and carries a unique cultural worldview and lived experiences of “the other.”
1. Teaching the Mother Tongue is a Right
Who can deny this fundamental and foundational right? This right has been emphasized in numerous human rights documents and treaties, such as the Charter on Mother Tongue, the Universal Declaration of Linguistic Rights, clauses 3 and 4 of Article 4 of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious, and Linguistic Minorities, Article 30 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 15 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Can we sacrifice such a fundamental right for expediency? Only a rigid and abstract interpretation of expediency could entirely disregard this significant right. Can the interests of the nation be considered while ignoring the rights of its citizens?
Even if teaching the mother tongue were not a rightful demand of the various ethnic groups in our country, it would still be the duty of the government to proactively ensure that non-Persian-speaking citizens are familiar with and proficient in their mother tongue. These individuals, even if unaware of their rights, should not be deprived of them. Moreover, for decades, the full demand for mother-tongue education has been articulated by Iran’s non-Persian-speaking citizens, only to be met with denial by some cultural and political authorities.
2. Teaching the Mother Tongue is Not a Conspiracy
It took a long time for some Tehran-based politicians to heed the warnings of intellectuals and the actions of ethnic groups, understanding that mother-tongue education is not a conspiracy but a civic demand that could foster national solidarity. The somewhat positive stance of the “prudence and hope” presidential candidate toward this and other ethnic demands had a profound effect, garnering overwhelming support from ethnic groups for Hassan Rouhani.
The “conspiracy theory” is a damaging tradition. When no other means exist to oppose a rightful demand, labeling it as dangerous and a conspiracy becomes a convenient tool. It is astonishing that now, when the government has acknowledged these long-neglected demands, certain cultural elites oppose this truth. They must answer a crucial question: Do they agree with human rights, the Constitution, and Islamic principles or not? Are they aware that opposing mother-tongue education is an anti-human-rights stance, a non-Islamic action, and, most importantly, a direct contradiction of the Constitution?
3. Teaching the Mother Tongue is Not Dangerous; It Strengthens National Security
Some opponents of mother-tongue education claim to be concerned about borders and national security. If we take this concern at face value, we must point to the statements of numerous prominent sociologists and political scientists who unequivocally affirm that teaching the mother tongue reinforces national security and enhances national unity. Figures such as Ali Younesi, Ali Rabiei, Mojtaba Maqsoudi, Hamidreza Jalaeipour, Abdollah Ramezan-Zadeh, Hashem Hedaiati, the late Kazem Motamed-Nejad, Kavous Seyed-Emami, Ebrahim Hajiani, Ahmad Rezaei, Sattar Azizi, Mostafa Malekian, and many others have consistently argued that recognizing and fulfilling the rights of ethnic groups is essential for the stability of the country, preservation of borders, and maintenance of national security.
The experiences of countries like Bulgaria and Turkey demonstrate that denying and suppressing these rights can lead to full-scale crises.
4. The Mother Tongue is Not in Opposition to Persian
Teaching ethnic languages is not equivalent to eliminating Persian from education. None of the ethnic intellectuals advocating for this right argue for the removal of Persian. Teaching ethnic languages is entirely distinct from teaching Persian, just as teaching English or Arabic is separate from teaching Persian.
Those who immediately pit teaching non-Persian mother tongues against Persian are engaging in a dangerous game with the Persian language. Without realizing it, they position ethnic groups in opposition to Persian. Teaching ethnic languages is a fundamental right. The protests of those who advocate for Persian, often poorly, are misplaced. Millions are spent annually to promote Persian, and no one—neither ethnic groups nor politicians—objects to this. Yet, when it is suggested that the mother tongues of non-Persian Iranians should also be taught and promoted alongside Persian, defenders of Persian cry foul.
This objection is entirely baseless. Defenders of Persian should focus on their mandate and leave other languages to their rightful advocates—experts in non-Persian languages and relevant authorities. If Persian is ever truly endangered, or if it is removed from the curriculum, they can voice their concerns. However, the goal is not to replace Persian but to teach non-Persian mother tongues alongside it.
A reminder of the wisdom of the late Dr. Kazem Motamed-Nejad is apt here: “We must answer history regarding the mother tongues of ethnic groups.” Now that the government has heard the voice of ethnic groups, it is time for intellectuals, cultural figures, and academics to do the same. Not for the sake of truth, humanity, or even faith—but at least for the sake of Iran and their own conscience. Let us finally and decisively address this rightful demand, giving history an appropriate answer.