The mom tongue or mom tongue is probably the costliest factor for anybody. The language concern has led to many conflicts and discontent. The 1952 language motion in Bangladesh is the perfect instance of this discontent. Alternatively, we can't dwell in isolation. We should keep up a correspondence with audio system of different languages. Bangladesh is taken into account a monolingual nation by which over 98% of the inhabitants speaks Bengali. Nevertheless, there are greater than ten languages in a rustic as small as Bangladesh. Monipuri, Urdu, Chakma, Santali, Garo, Rakhain and Tipra are simply a number of the different languages in Bangladesh.
The fascinating factor is that Urdu is an Indo-European language however written in Arabic, Santali belongs to the Mono-Khemar language household whereas Chakma belongs to the Chinese language-Burmese language group. Thus, though Bangladesh is commonly introduced as a rustic of linguistic union based mostly on the Bangladeshi language, it has a exceptional linguistic range. To speak with audio system of different languages, we should both know their language or talk in a Lingua-Franca comprehensible for each of us.
As we speak, the world has grow to be a worldwide village. Because of the development of the communication system and expertise. Every nation relies on others for commerce, training, politics, and so forth. We should subsequently talk always with different international locations and audio system of different languages. Third world international locations like Bangladesh should rely on international support as a result of they don't seem to be self-sufficient. Because of this, many foreigners come to Bangladesh. A 3rd issue is the issue of faith. The sacred language of Muslims is Arabic, Sanskrit for Hindus, Pali for Buddhists and Latin for Christians.
All of those elements remind us of the necessity to study different languages along with our native language. In keeping with this actuality, many international locations on the earth have adopted a European language as a second language, which is commonly utilized in training, courts, financial actions and public works. These languages have more often than not an official standing within the structure of those international locations. In lots of circumstances, international locations have adopted the language of their former colonial leaders as a second language. Generally these languages are additionally referred to as official languages. In lots of African international locations we will see this image. Alternatively, some European languages have grow to be essential on the earth for literary and financial functions. For instance, German and French are thought-about essential languages of the world as a result of literature and economics are related to them.
For instance, many individuals in our nation wish to study French as a result of it may possibly assist them get jobs within the UN and jobs in multinational firms. One other fascinating motivation for studying French in Bangladesh is that it may possibly assist us immigrate to Canada, as a result of fluency in French offers an individual a number of further factors within the level system of Canadian immigration.
The title of my analysis is "Standing of English in Bangladesh: Second Language or International Language?" I selected this subject as a result of from a sociolinguistic viewpoint, the standing of English may be very fascinating. On one facet, the English language is dominant in all elements of our nationwide life, whereas on the opposite facet of our structure, it's clearly said that the language of the nation is Bangla. In truth, nothing is claimed in regards to the standing of the English language in our structure. On the one hand, financial actions in non-public firms are carried out in English whereas there's a authorities regulation (Bangla procholon ain1987) in keeping with which authorities places of work should use Bangla of their official works. From the federal government's viewpoint, Bengali is the official language of Bangladesh and English is an important international language. However in actuality, English is the second language of the nation and, in lots of locations, English is extra essential than Bangla in Bangladesh.
Second language:
A second language is any language aside from the primary or the primary language discovered; it's typically used for geographical or social causes. The time period should be distinguished from a international language; The linguist Eric Lenneberg makes use of, in his speculation of important interval, a second language as a language discovered or used consciously by his speaker after puberty. Generally, folks by no means obtain the identical stage of proficiency and comprehension of their second language as of their mom tongue.
Traditionally in Europe, probably the most used second language (or lingua franca) was Latin. It has been utilized by the Church. by regulation (as it's nonetheless right this moment); in medication (beginning a lot later); Horticulture and organic classification of vegetation, animals, fruits, nuts, and many others.
Latin was so broadly used all through Europe that it was referred to as vulgar (or widespread language); that's the reason the Latin model of the Bible calls the Vulgate.
These days, English is taken into account the second most generally spoken language on the earth. It's utilized in fields as various because the Web, tv and radio and worldwide aviation.
The success of English world wide stems from two primary causes: the appreciable affect of the British empire and the dominance of the US (and the 20 th century) within the fields of enterprise and leisure.
French was for a time the lingua franca (the origin of the time period) in Europe. In historical past, England and France had been dominated by a single crown - the language utilized by the royal court docket was French (English was thought-about "the language of the peasant"). Then, as was the case with English, the French empire unfold its language by way of colonization. French continues to be one of the vital spoken languages on the earth. (Supply: Wikipedia)
If we take a look at the second language definition, we will simply say that English is the second language of Bangladesh. It's broadly utilized in many components of our nationwide life. Many individuals watch English TV channels and likewise use the Web. College students should examine for twelve years and people wishing to affix the general public service by passing a BCS examination should additionally take an English examination. The one factor lacking from the above definition is the truth that, aside from formal events, nobody speaks English in Bangladesh. This isn't the language used at dwelling amongst members of the family and pals in casual conversations.
A international language:
A international language is a language that's not spoken by indigenous peoples of a sure place: for instance, English is a international language in Japan. Additionally it is a language that's not spoken within the dwelling nation of the meant particular person, that's, an English-speaking resident of Japan can say that Japanese is a international language for him.
Some youngsters study a couple of language at beginning or at a really younger age: they're bilingual. We are able to say that these youngsters have two mom tongues: no language is international to this youngster, even when a language is a international language for the overwhelming majority of the inhabitants of his nation of beginning. For instance, in Japan, a baby who learns English by way of his English mom can converse English and Japanese, however she doesn't converse a international language both. (Supply- Wikipedia)
From the above definition, we see that international language refers to a language that's not native to an individual. From this viewpoint, English will be thought-about a international language in Bangladesh since it's not native to our nation. Just about no Bangladeshi speaks English though many use it within the fields of training and enterprise.
Official language:
An official language is a novel standing in international locations, states and different territories. It's typically the language used within the legislative our bodies of a rustic, though many international locations' regulation requires that authorities paperwork are additionally produced in different languages.
Formally acknowledged minority languages are sometimes confused with official languages. Nevertheless, a language formally acknowledged by a state, taught in colleges and utilized in official communications is just not essentially an official language. For instance, Ladin and Sardinian in Italy and Mirandais in Portugal are solely formally acknowledged minority languages, and never official languages within the strict sense.
Half of the world's international locations have official languages. Some have just one official language, corresponding to Albania, France or Lithuania, even if in all these international locations different mom tongues are additionally spoken. Some have a number of official languages, corresponding to Afghanistan, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Eritrea, Finland, India, Paraguay, South Africa and Switzerland.
In some international locations, corresponding to Iraq, Italy, Russia and Spain, there may be an official language for the nation, however different languages are co-official in some areas essential. Some international locations, corresponding to Australia, the US, Sweden and Tuvalu shouldn't have an official language.
The official languages of some former colonies, normally French or English, are neither the nationwide languages nor probably the most spoken language.
In distinction to nationalism, Irish is the "nationwide language" of the Republic of Eire and its first official language, though it's spoken solely by a small a part of its inhabitants. English, which is spoken by the bulk, is just described as a second official language (Structure of Eire, Article 8).
In some international locations, the query of which language must be used by which context is a serious political drawback. (Supply-Wikipedia)
From the definition above, we see that the notion of official language is difficult. In keeping with our structure, English can't be certified because the official language of Bangladesh since there is no such thing as a standing in our structure. The one language talked about in our structure is Bengali. However English is allowed in our parliament and in lots of authorities occasions. For instance, when there's a authorities occasion attended by some foreigners, audio system typically use English. Many essential authorities paperwork are written in Bengali and English. The work of Parliament takes place in these two languages. When a authorities company organizes a good, the memento is commonly printed in English.
Structure:
Concerning the language of the nation, the Bangladesh Structure clearly states:
"The official language.
The official language of the Republic is [Bangla]. "
(Supply: [http://www.pmo.gov.bd/constitution/consti2.htm#3].)
Within the structure, nothing is talked about in regards to the standing of English. English is just not talked about as a second language or official language. So, if we take English standing in our structure, we can't fake that English is a second language or an official language in Bangladesh.
English in court docket in Bangladesh:
After independence, the federal government took the initiative to implement Bengali in court docket. Because of this, the decrease courts now function in Bangla, however English nonetheless exerts nice affect within the Excessive Court docket and the Supreme Court docket. If a lawyer needs to apply on the Supreme Court docket, he should grasp the English language. Many judges nonetheless pronounce their verdicts in English. Evidently this tendency to make use of English will stay for the longer term compelled.
English within the training sector in Bangladesh:
The formal and institutionalized instructional system started in Bangladesh below British rule. At the moment, Bangladesh was a part of British India. There was a debate on the medium of training. Raja Rammohan Roy argued that the medium must be English fairly than Sanskrit or Persian. Throughout the British interval, the tutorial setting was largely in English. The College of Calcutta took the initiative in 1935 to introduce Bengali as a medium of instruction concurrently English. In Bangladesh, the usage of Bengali on the college stage started within the 1960s. College students can now take exams in Bengali or English. After 1971, on the school and college stage, the federal government tried to sponsor Bangla and implement it by changing English within the training sector, however this didn't occur due to basic issues. The primary drawback is that there have been not sufficient books of a website in Bengali. This drawback is extra acute in science and expertise. For instance, there may be nearly no guide in Bengali on laptop expertise that can be utilized as a reference work on the college stage.
In truth, there are three kinds of training techniques in our nation: Bengali, English and Madrasa. Center colleges in Bengali will be divided into two sections: public colleges and kindergartens. In nursery colleges, English is extra essential than in public colleges. Among the well-known nursery colleges in Dhaka are Vikarounnesa, Holycross, Willes Little Flower, and many others. Though these colleges belong to Bengali, college students should examine Three or Four books in English corresponding to: Radiant Method, Energetic English, Workplace Work, Elementary English, Grammar Brighter, and many others. Alternatively, in public colleges, there may be primarily an English for As we speak guide printed by Bangladesh Textual content E-book Board. English colleges don't comply with the Bangladeshi instructional system and are below the supervision of the British Council. The medium of instruction in these colleges is English and lots of English language college students are very weak within the Bangladeshi language. There are two kinds of Madrassas - Dakhil and Kawmi. Kawmi Madrassas should not acknowledged by the federal government and obtain no assist from the federal government. In these Madrassas, the main target is on studying Arabic, Persian and Urdu, whereas Bengali and English are uncared for. Alternatively, in Dakhil, madrassas emphasize Arabic, and Bengali and English should not uncared for.
Thus, we will clearly see that the distinction in training system in Bangladesh is predicated solely on the distinction of instructional setting. Though Bengali is the official nationwide language of Bangladesh, it's the English language instructional establishments that obtain more cash. The rise of personal universities has solely strengthened the standing and significance of the English language in Bangladesh. There are actually greater than 50 non-public universities in Bangladesh and English is their language of instruction. These universities cost 2 lakh to five lakh taka for Bachelor programs. If the center of training was in Bangla, then nearly no pupil or father or mother could be desirous about paying a lot cash for training in non-public universities.
The dialogue above clearly exhibits that in our system of common training, English has an significance equal, if not superior, to that of Bangla. In our academic system, English is actually the second language as a result of all college students should examine it as a obligatory topic for twelve years.
English and administration:
Throughout the linguistic motion, the folks of Bangladesh feared that if Urdu had been created because the official language of Pakistan, all authorities actions could be carried out in Urdu and our folks would endure. On account of the language motion, the Pakistani regime continued to conduct authorities actions in English. After the independence of Bangladesh, the Awami League authorities determined to interchange English with Bengali within the administrative work, however after the demise of Sheikh Mujib, the method stopped and English remained the language dominant. It was through the reign of Ershad Bangla Procholon Aeen of 1987 was created and carried out. From that second, English started to lose its significance within the administration. Nevertheless, it must be talked about that every one worldwide communications of the Authorities of Bangladesh are in English.
English in financial actions:
Bangladesh's economic system depends on international support and the export of some widespread objects corresponding to made-up garments, jute, tea, fish, and many others. We additionally import plenty of merchandise. Bangladesh is just not economically autonomous. Commerce is extra standard than manufacturing. Commerce requires fixed communication with international firms. Many firms concerned in buying and selling should use English to cope with strangers. Suppose that an organization is negotiating with China, which isn't an English talking nation. Then the corporate should contact the Chinese language firm in English. If we take a look at the non-public sector job gives, we will simply discover that almost all job gives are printed in English. Even most non-public sector job gives printed in Bengali newspapers are printed in English. Virtually all non-public jobs point out that candidates should grasp English. Virtually all public restricted firms publish their annual stories in English. A few of these firms produce a Bengali model of their annual report, however the focus is at all times on English. It's subsequently clear that English is the dominant language in our financial actions.
Comparability of English with Arabic, Sanskrit and Pali in Bangladesh:
Arabic, Sanskrit and Pali are the non secular languages of Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. Even uneducated folks attempt to study these languages as a result of they're thought-about holy. If we examine the training of English with these languages, we notice that we connect extra significance to English. For instance, the schooling charges of an English teaching middle are a lot greater than these of an Arab teaching middle. English non-public lecturers get Four to five instances more cash than Arabic non-public lecturers (Huzur). Thus, though Arabic has a non secular feeling, English is taken into account extra essential as a result of it has financial advantages.
Comparability of English international languages corresponding to French, German and Farsi:
French and German have grow to be extremely popular for financial causes in our nation. Studying these languages helps us to extend our possibilities of getting a job on the UN. Studying French can be helpful for getting immigration to Canada. There are additionally good amenities for studying these languages on the College of Dhaka, the Alliance Française and the Goethe Institute. The English Institute of the North-South College lately launched the French course. Throughout the Muslim reign, Farsi was the language of the royal administration and the Bangladesh court docket. At the moment, a pupil can take a Farsi course for one semester by merely paying tk. 250 on the Iranian Cultural Middle, however few college students are desirous about studying Farsi, French and German. Alternatively, a whole lot of scholars every year take the TOEFL and IELTS exams in English.
It's clear from the image above that the standing of English is far greater than that of international languages corresponding to German, French and Farsi. We can't deny the truth that if an individual is presented in English, he can earn cash in any a part of Bangladesh, but when an individual is presented in French, German or Farsi, nearly no alternative to make cash utilizing his expertise. these languages.
suggestions:
In keeping with the dialogue that has taken place thus far, English is undoubtedly the second language of Bangladesh, however this actuality is just not mirrored in our structure. Formally, Bangladesh is just not often known as an ALS nation to the skin world. The federal government ought to subsequently declare Bangladesh ASL immediately. We study English not as a result of we like Shakespeare or Dickens. We study English by necessity. If Bangladesh is said an SLA nation and the English language is given a transparent standing within the structure, it is going to replicate not solely the fact, however it is going to additionally assist us internationally. As we speak, Bangladesh is desperately attempting to draw international traders. Earlier than an organization involves Bangladesh to discover funding alternatives, one of many key areas to search for could be the supply of a pool of English graduates. Additionally they count on regular staff to realize a primary understanding of the English language. If we grow to be an ESL nation, then these international firms in search of to study Bangladesh will probably be reassured in regards to the sturdy presence of the English language on this nation.
The identical image is there in regards to the training sector. Many Bangladeshi college students want to proceed their research in developed international locations corresponding to the US, the UK, Canada and Australia. If Bangladesh is said an ALS nation, these college students will profit as a result of the colleges of those international locations will then have the concept that English has a particular which means in Bangladesh.
I subsequently suggest to the Authorities of Bangladesh that English be declared the second language of the nation by amending the structure.
Conclusion:
Bangladesh is the one nation on the earth the place folks have sacrificed their lives for the language. As we speak, the historic linguistic motion of 1952 is internationally acknowledged because the Worldwide Mom Language Day. It's true that our individuals are moved by their language, Bangla. Nevertheless, it is usually true that our folks have grow to be determined to grow to be proficient in English. Because of this, there are greater than fifty non-public universities in Bangladesh. If North-South provided BAA and laptop programs in Bengali, they'd not even get 10% of the variety of college students they at present have. It's now time to place an finish to the good contradiction surrounding the language concern and to declare Bangladesh as an ALS nation to our benefit.
Bibliography
1. Dr. Musa, Monsur. BHASHACINTA PROSONGO O PORIDHI. Dhaka: Bangla
Academy, 2002.
2. Dr. Musa, Monsur. BANGLADESHER RASHTRABHASHA. Dhaka: Bangla
Academy, 2002.
3. Dr. Musa, Monsur. BHASHA PORIKOLPONAR SHOMAJ
BHASHATATTA. Dhaka: Bangla Academy, 1996.
4. Dr. Musa, Monsur. BANGLA PARIBHASHA: ITIHAS O SAMASYA. Dhaka: Bangla
Academy, 2002.
