The Bengali language
Every year around the world millions commemorate international mother language day on the 21st of February. There are many languages but Bengali (known as ‘Bangla’ in Bengal itself) is unique in that it is the language which gave birth to international mother language day. Such was the love for the people of Bengal for their mother language in the face of a racist West Pakistani regime that sought to suppress them that people died in their struggle for preserving their language and their rights as citizens that Pakistani security forces massacred five Bengalis in the then east Pakistan on 21st February 1952. To honour the memories of the murdered the UN itself recognised the 21st February as world mother language day.
Bengali, also known as Bangla, is an Indo-Aryan language spoken predominantly in the Indian subcontinent. With a rich cultural and linguistic heritage, Bengali is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. This article explores the origins, history, development, similarities and differences with related languages, dialects, number of speakers and geographical distribution, literary works, and the current situation of the Bengali language.
Origins and History: The roots of the Bengali language can be traced back to the ancient Sanskrit language, with its earliest literary records found in the 8th to 10th centuries. Over time, Bengali evolved from the Magadhi Prakrit, a derivative of Sanskrit, and underwent significant linguistic changes influenced by various socio-cultural and historical factors.
Development: The development of Bengali can be divided into three major periods: Old Bengali (c. 1000–1350 CE), Middle Bengali (c. 1350–1800 CE), and Modern Bengali (c. 1800 CE–present). Old Bengali marked the emergence of regional literary traditions, while Middle Bengali witnessed the flourishing of medieval literature. At a certain time in history Bengali was seen as a ‘Muslim language’ in comparison to Sanskrit which was more associated with Hinduism due to its role as the liturgical language of the Hindu religion and of course the language of its religious texts. Modern Bengali, influenced by the colonial period and the Renaissance, experienced a linguistic and cultural renaissance that shaped the language into its contemporary form.
Similarities and Differences with Related Languages: Bengali shares linguistic roots with other Indo-Aryan languages, particularly the Eastern Indo-Aryan group. It exhibits similarities with languages such as Assamese, Oriya, and Maithili. However, it has distinct phonetic, lexical, and grammatical features that set it apart from other languages in the region.
Dialects: Bengali exhibits regional dialectal variations, with prominent dialects including the Standard Colloquial Bengali (based on the dialect of Kolkata), Chittagonian, Sylheti, and Rangpuri. These dialects reflect the geographical and cultural diversity within the Bengali-speaking community. The Sylheti language is called by some a separate language and by some a sub-dialect of the Bengali language itself. However it can be considered a separate language as it had its own script (Nagri) and had a literary version in which Muslim religious texts related to Sufism were written.
Number of Speakers and Geographic Distribution: Bengali boasts over 230 million native speakers, making it the seventh most spoken language globally. It is primarily spoken in the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam, as well as the neighboring country of Bangladesh. Additionally, Bengali diaspora communities around the world contribute to its global presence. The language is flourishing in Bangladesh where it is the state language used by around 170 million people. It is also spoken by millions of Bangladeshi expatriate workers in the middle east.
Literary Works: Bengali literature has a rich and illustrious history, with contributions from renowned poets, novelists, and playwrights. The medieval period saw the works of poets like Chandidas and Vidyapati, while the modern era witnessed literary giants such as Rabindranath Tagore, the first non-European Nobel laureate in Literature. Notable literary genres include poetry, novels, short stories, and drama, each contributing to the vibrant tapestry of Bengali literature.
Current Situation: Today, Bengali stands as a language of cultural significance, serving as the medium of education, administration, and communication in West Bengal, Bangladesh, and Bengali diaspora communities. The language has adapted to contemporary challenges, embracing technology and globalization while retaining its cultural distinctiveness. However whilst the language is secure in Bangladesh itself home to most Bengali speakers it faces threats from Hindi in neighbouring India. Bengali regional nationalism in India has often been quite secular and inclusive whereas the militant Hindu revivalists of the BJP have a pan-Hindu ideology which sees Hindi as more important. Many of the BJP’s leaders are Hindutva radicals from Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh
In conclusion, the Bengali language has a rich and diverse history, marked by linguistic evolution, cultural developments, and literary achievements. With a vast number of speakers and a vibrant literary tradition, Bengali continues to play a crucial role in shaping the cultural landscape of the Indian subcontinent and beyond. It has apparently been called the ‘sweetest language’ by UN officials but it is the language of what was traditionally south Asia’s wealthiest, most culturally developed and most important region, Bengal.
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A video related to the Bengali language: