We are delighted to share the Mother Tongue Other Tongue ebook, a digital anthology of children’s writing from across the North East. The anthology includes pieces from children writing in 35 different languages from across the world.
Click here to read the 2023 Mother Tongue Other Tongue Digital Anthology
Children aged 7-18 years old in schools, community schools or groups could submit a poem, song or remembered piece in their home language (Mother Tongue) and those learning a new language submit original pieces of poetic writing. The anthology includes examples from all schools and groups participating and every child received a certificate.
This is project is part of the annual Express Yourself: North East Festival of Languages, which International Newcastle co-ordinates. It provides an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the creativity and diverse languages and cultures across the region. This year an estimated 1,560 children across the region were involved in Mother Tongue Other Tongue, with 21,532 children and young people involved in the Festival from January to March 2023.
The submissions of writing from children for Mother Tongue Other Tongue and the selection shared in the digital anthology, demonstrates their creativity and reflects their memories, new experiences, as well as things that matter to them. Topics are as varied as climate change, nature, identity, faith, community, family, overcoming challenges, equality, hopes and dreams, friendship, food, the importance of education and reflections on home countries, where they have had to leave. They include original pieces, remembered poems and songs. The children explain why they chose to write the pieces and some accompany them with drawings. They are a joy to read, many are moving and thought provoking, others will make you smile.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to all the children who participated and shared their thoughts, feelings and passions. Thank you to all the schools, teachers, families, communities and groups that made their involvement possible and for giving them this opportunity.
We would also like to acknowledge the incredible efforts of Project Co-ordinator Crista Hazell and the staff and students at Newcastle University’s Language Resource Centre, who checked all the submissions. We also thank Steven Fawkes of the Association of Language Learning North East for financing this project and providing ongoing support and expertise.
It is a joy to read each creative piece from the young people across the region for the Mother Tongue Other Tongue project. The passion, joy and emotion of their writing is inspiring. The partnership and support behind the project has been wonderful and the schools have enabled children’s involvement, shining a light, valuing and celebrating each language, whether taught in schools or spoken at home and in the community. Happy Reading the 2023 anthology!
Crista Hazell, Mother Tongue Other Tongue Coordinator
Once again, it was great to involve the students at Newcastle University’s Language Resource Centre in the MTOT celebration of language and culture. The activity brings together such a variety of language and cultures, backgrounds, age groups and global experience. The range of languages and enthusiasm for them is shown by the pupils’ submission and this is matched by the enthusiasm of university students involved.
Andrew Grenfell, Manager Open Learning Resources, Newcastle University Language Resource Centre
We have been sharing our experiences of the Festival and Mother Tongue Other Tongue with others across the UK. We have presented at national webinars, as well as providing advice on our approach and its impact to other cities and areas around the UK, including Leeds and Norfolk. We are also part of the national network of partners promoting Mother Tongue Other Tongue across the UK, led by Manchester Metropolitan University, which originated the Mother Tongue Other Tongue project.
Some examples from the digital anthology
