On February 20, Sumgayit State University hosted an online round table on "Let"s love and protect our native language" dedicated to the International Mother Language Day at the initiative and organization of the Department of Azerbaijani Language and its Teaching Methods at the Faculty of Philology.

The event was attended by professors, masters, doctoral students and dissertators of the Faculty of Philology of SSU, as well as by Director of the Institute of Folklore of ANAS, academician Mukhtar Imanov, Head of the Department of Modern Azerbaijani Language of ASPU, Professor Buludkhan Khalilov, Director of the Monitoring Center under the State Language Commission, Professor Sevinj Aliyeva, Dean of the Faculty of Philology Professor Mahira Huseynova, Professor Ilhama Hajiyeva, Head of the Department of Azerbaijani Language and Speech Culture of BSU, Professor of the Department of Azerbaijani Language and Literature of Nakhchivan State University Sadagat Hasanova, Associate Professor of the Department of Turkology of BSU Nurida Novruzova, Professor of the Department of Azerbaijani Language Ikram Gasimov, Professor of the Department of Azerbaijani Language of Ganja State University Yadigar Aliyev.

Opening the event, SSU Vice-Rector for Science and Innovations Professor Ramazan Mammadov conveyed the greetings of the University Rector Professor Elkhan Huseynov to the participants and guests and spoke about the importance of February 21 - International Mother Language Day, the importance of preserving literary language norms. He recalled that the celebration of February 21 as "International Mother Language Day" was adopted by the UN in November 1999 at the initiative of the Ambassador of Bangladesh. The International Mother Language Day, held annually to protect endangered languages around the world, reminds everyone of the right to feel the existence of their native language, to be proud of it, to preserve and develop it.

The Vice-Rector also noted that, as in many countries, this significant day is marked in our country. It is gratifying that issues such as caring for, protecting and promoting our language are not only relevant in our country today, but are implemented on a regular basis. In this regard, the great leader Heydar Aliyev pursued a consistent and purposeful language policy and rendered unparalleled services in preserving the Azerbaijani language. At present, these traditions are successfully continued by President Ilham Aliyev.

Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Associate Professor Sevinj Hamzayeva noted that the main purpose of celebrating February 21 as International Mother Language Day is to increase students" knowledge about the historical stages, diversity and works of the Azerbaijani language, their love for our native language to pass it on to future generations. and to increase respect. The dean also stressed that the comprehensive development of the native language in our country, its transformation into a working language, finding a way into the system of international relations is the result of the thoughtful policy of our national leader Heydar Aliyev aimed at protecting the language.

Associate Professor Boyukkhanim Eminli, Head of the Department of Azerbaijani Language and its Teaching Methods, spoke about the celebration of the International Mother Language Day solemnly by the countries of the world, about the means of communication of the language, the main factors that characterize the image of the nation, the manifestation of the existence of any nation, its national wealth and blood memory. She noted that the Azerbaijani language stands out among the world languages and is one of the main factors determining the national existence of our people. The Azerbaijani language is not only a national and spiritual treasure of our people, but also a key factor and symbol of our state independence. National leader Heydar Aliyev has played a historic role in raising the Azerbaijani language to the level of the state language. Today, the Azerbaijani state also cares for the protection of national and spiritual values and the development of our language.

Afterwards the speakers delivered speech: Director of the Institute of Folklore of ANAS, academician Mukhtar Imanov "Mother tongue struggle as a part of the struggle for independence", head of the department of world literature of BSU professor Jalil Nagiyev "Our native language: current situation and problems", head of the department of Azerbaijani language of ASPU Professor Buludkhan Khalilov "Issues of application of the Azerbaijani language", Professor Sevinj Aliyeva, Director of the Monitoring Center under the State Language Commission, "Protection of the purity of our native language and the tasks ahead", Professor Ilhama Hajiyeva, Head of the Department of Azerbaijani Language and Speech Culture of BSU, "Language Policy and Alphabet", Dean of the Faculty of Philology, ASPU, Professor Mahira Huseynova "Our language is the food of our soul", Professor of the Department of Azerbaijani Language and Literature of Nakhchivan State University Sadagat Hasanova "Actual problems of the modern Azerbaijani language", Associate Professor of Turkology Nurida Novruzova "Problems of application of the state language in Baku", Department of Azerbaijani language of BSU Professor Ikram Gasimov "On the language of advertising", Professor of the Azerbaijani language department of Ganja State University Yadigar Aliyev "Participation of Turkish words in lexical-terminological renewal in the Azerbaijani language", Gunel Pashayeva, associate professor of the Azerbaijani language and its teaching methods department of SSU "The impact of social networks on our native language", senior teacher Khayala Mursaliyeva "The role of the teacher in the development of the native language".

The speakers spoke about the purity of the Azerbaijani language and its protection, emphasizing that the state pursues a successful language policy. They praised the importance of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev dated November 1, 2018 "On measures to protect the purity of the Azerbaijani language and further improve the use of the state language". They noted that it is the civic duty of every Azerbaijani youth to preserve the purity of our native language and learn it deeply.

At the event, the scientists answered questions related to the topic in detail and thanked the leadership and staff of SSU for organizing the event.