Background
The clarion call for the National Language Week and National Language Month began in the 1960s. The campaign has undergone many name changes such as Love Our Language Movement (1987-1996), Private Sector National Language Movement (1996-2005) and Literature Week (1987-1998). Finally in 1999, the movement was renamed the National Language and Literature Month.
The first National Language and Literature Month programme was launched in 1999 by Dato' Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, the then Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.
In 2009, in accordance with its implementation objectives, the National Language and Literature Month became known as the National Language Month.
Main Objectives
· The National Language Month (BBK) seeks to establish, strengthen and exhibit the Malaysian identity and image.
· To increase the sense of pride in the national language
· To promote and strengthen national unity through the national language
· To strengthen the role of the national language as the cornerstone of nation-building
The whole concept of the logo reflects the role of the people of various races in the country to unite in the concept of one Malaysia. “BBK” is the pillar of national excellence based on the development of language as its platform.
THE LETTER “B”
The graphically designed letter “B” with a pen forming the vertical stroke represents Bulan (month) and Bahasa Kebangsaan (national language). It is synonymous with DBP as the source of knowledge and as a platform for delivering and driving the vision and mission of DBP.
ROTATING GLOBE AND THE MALAYSIAN FLAG DESIGN
The graphically designed Malaysian flag in the form of a rotating globe reflects the direction for achieving an excellent future.
The rotating globe, which forms the background of the logo, symbolises the theme of solidarity and love for the language and country. It also represents the fostering and preservation of racial unity and harmony to ensure a brighter future, thus reflecting the union of the three major races in Malaysia so as to live in solidarity and to work together for national development.
The three swirls of red and white stripes of the Malaysian flag symbolise the activities of the National Language Month encompassing the various fields of knowledge and language.
PALM LEAF
The palm leaf which forms the roof of the logo is derived from the corporate logo of DBP. It represents language. Centred on this logo as the main pulse of BBK, it is also the source of language development in the era of globalisation.
PEN IN THE LETTER “B”
The pen forming the vertical stroke of the letter “B” reflects the goals of BBK. In addition, it symbolises language and literary activities.
COLOURS
RED AND WHITE
Red and white reflect the spirit of Malaysians to achieve distinction and symbolise 1Malaysia's pure and sincere vision.
YELLOW
Yellow symbolises the constitutional monarchy system that upholds the sovereignty of the nation as well as BBK’s activities to attain excellence.
BLUE
Blue means stability, unity and well-being of the various races in the country in order to achieve the goal of BBK.
GREEN
Green symbolises competence and credibility in developing the language to ensure that it remains globally competitive.
Designer:
Naim bin Haji Ahmat
