Situation of English in Bangladesh: Second Language or Overseas Language

Mom tongue or mom tongue is probably the preferred factor for each particular person. The query of language has resolved itself into many conflicts and dissatisfaction. The prime instance of such dissatisfaction is the 1952 linguistic motion in Bangladesh. Alternatively, we cannot stay in isolation. We must be involved with the audio system of different languages. Bangladesh is taken into account a monolingual nation, the place greater than 98% of the inhabitants communicate Bangla. Nevertheless, there are greater than ten languages ​​in a small nation like Bangladesh. Monipuri, Urdu, Chakma, Santali, Garo, Rakhain, Tipra - are simply among the different languages ​​accessible in Bangladesh.

The attention-grabbing factor is that Urdu is an Indo-European language. Santali, nevertheless, belongs to the Arabic script and belongs to the Mon-Khemar language household, whereas Chakma belongs to the Chinese language-Barmesian language group. Though Bangladesh is usually portrayed as a rustic of linguistic unity primarily based on the Bangla language, it has no linguistic range. So as to have the ability to talk with the audio system of different languages, we should both grasp their language or talk in a lingua franca comprehensible to each.

In the present day, the world has change into a worldwide village. Because of the development of communication system and know-how. Every nation relies on others for commerce and commerce, training, politics, and many others. Due to this fact, we have to talk continually with different international locations and with audio system of different languages. Third world international locations like Bangladesh want overseas help as a result of they aren't self-sufficient. In consequence, many foreigners come to Bangladesh. A 3rd issue is the issue of faith. The holy language of Muslims is Arabic, Sanskrit for Hindus, Pali for Buddhists and Latin for Christians.

All of those components remind us that we have to study different languages ​​in addition to our mom tongue. In keeping with this actuality, many international locations on this planet have launched a European language as a second language, which is usually utilized in training, courtroom, enterprise, and authorities work. These languages ​​often have official standing within the structure of those international locations. In lots of circumstances, the international locations have adopted the language of their former colonial rulers as a second language. Generally these languages ​​are additionally referred to as official language. In lots of African international locations we see this image. Alternatively, some European languages ​​have change into crucial worldwide for literary and financial causes. For instance, German and French are thought-about essential languages ​​of the world, as each have essential literary and financial points.

For instance, many individuals in our nation are desirous about studying French as a result of it might probably assist them to get UN jobs and jobs in multinational firms. One other engaging motivation to study French in Bangladesh is that it might probably assist us to migrate to Canada, as an individual's French language expertise add further factors to the scoring system of Canadian immigration.

The title of my analysis is "Standing of English in Bangladesh: Second Language or Overseas Language?" I selected this matter as a result of the standing of English may be very attention-grabbing from the sociolinguistic perspective. On the one hand the English language is dominant in all areas of our nationwide life, alternatively it's clearly said in our Structure that the language of the nation is Bangla. In actual fact, nothing is alleged concerning the standing of the English language in our structure. On the one hand, financial actions are carried out in personal firms in English, whereas there's a authorities regulation (Bangla procholon ain1987), in accordance with which the federal government businesses should use Bangla of their official work. From a state perspective Bangla is the national-official language of Bangladesh and English is crucial overseas language. However actually 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 a special language than the primary or native language that was discovered. It's often used for geographical or social causes. The time period is to be distinguished from the overseas language; The linguist Eric Lenneberg makes use of second language in his crucial part to grasp a language that the speaker consciously discovered or used after puberty. Typically, folks of their second language are by no means as fluent and comprehensible as of their first language.

In Europe, Latin was probably the most broadly used second language (or lingua franca). It was utilized by the church; by the regulation (as it's right now); in drugs (begins a lot later); Horticulture and organic classification of crops, animals, fruits, nuts, and many others.

Latin has been used so broadly all through Europe that it has been referred to as Vulgar (or tongue). Due to this fact, the Latin model of the Bible is named Vulgate.

These days, English is taken into account to be probably the most broadly used second language on this planet. It's utilized in such numerous areas because the web, tv and radio in addition to in worldwide aviation.

The success of English all through the world is because of two important causes: the far-reaching affect of the British Empire and the dominance of america within the twentieth century (and its persevering with) dominance in enterprise and leisure.

French was at occasions the lingua franca (the time period of the time period) in Europe. In historical past, each England and France have been dominated by a single crown. The language of the royal courtroom was French (English was referred to as "nationwide language"). After that, as within the case of English, the French Empire unfold its language by colonization. French continues to be one of the crucial spoken languages ​​on this planet. (Supply: Wikipedia)

If we take a look at the definition of second language, we are able to simply say that English is the second language of Bangladesh. It's broadly utilized in many components of our nationwide life. Many individuals take a look at English TV channels and likewise use the Web. College students should examine for 12 years, and people who want to enter the general public service by a BCS examination should additionally take an English examination. The one factor lacking from the above definition is the truth that in Bangladesh, aside from formal events, no one speaks English. It isn't the language utilized by members of the family and mates in casual dwelling conversations.

Overseas language:

A overseas language is a language that's not spoken by the natives of a specific place: English, for instance, is a overseas language in Japan. It is usually a language that's not spoken within the native nation of the named particular person, ie an Englishman dwelling in Japan can say that Japanese is a overseas language for him.

Some youngsters study multiple language from beginning or from a really younger age: they're bilingual. It may be mentioned that these youngsters have two mom tongues: no language is alien to this youngster, though a language is a overseas language for the overwhelming majority of individuals within the nation of beginning of the kid. For instance, a toddler studying English from his English mom in Japan might communicate each English and Japanese, however it isn't a overseas language for them. (Supply - Wikipedia)

From the above definition, it's clear that the overseas language displays a language that's not native to an individual. From this angle, English in Bangladesh could be thought-about a overseas language, as it isn't native to our nation. Hardly a Bangladeshi speaks English, although a lot of them use it in training and enterprise.

Official language:

An official language is one thing that has a singular standing in international locations, states and different territories. That is often the language used within the legislative our bodies of a rustic, though in lots of international locations the regulation requires authorities paperwork to be produced in different languages ​​as nicely.

Formally acknowledged mom tongues are sometimes confused with official languages. Nevertheless, a language formally acknowledged by a state, taught in colleges and utilized in official communications will not be essentially an official language. For instance, Ladin and Sardinian in Italy and Mirandese in Portugal are solely formally acknowledged mom tongues, not official languages ​​within the strict sense.

Half of the international locations on this planet have official languages. Some have just one official language, similar to Albania, France or Lithuania, since all of those international locations additionally communicate different mom tongues. Some have multiple official language, similar to Afghanistan, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Eritrea, Finland, India, Paraguay, South Africa and Switzerland.

In some international locations, similar to Iraq, Italy, Russia and Spain, there may be one official language for the nation, however different languages ​​have equal rights in some key areas. Some international locations, similar to Australia, Sweden, Tuvalu and america, don't have any official languages.

The official languages ​​of some former colonies, usually French or English, should not the nationwide languages ​​or probably the most generally spoken language.

In contrast, on account of nationalism, Irish is the "nationwide language" of the Republic of Eire and its first official language, although spoken by solely a small fraction of the inhabitants. English spoken by the bulk is referred to solely as a second official language (the Structure of Eire, Article 8).

In some international locations, the query of which language to make use of wherein context is a crucial political situation. (Supply Wikipedia)

The above definition reveals that the data of the official language is sophisticated. In keeping with our structure, English cannot be referred to as the official language of Bangladesh as a result of it has no standing in our structure. The one language talked about in our structure is Bangla. However English is allowed in our parliament and in lots of authorities occasions. For instance, when a authorities occasion takes place, with some foreigners taking part, audio system usually use the English language. Many essential authorities paperwork are written in each Bangla and English. The parliamentary procedures are carried out in these two languages. When a authorities company organizes a good, the memento is usually revealed in English.

Structure:

The Bangladeshi structure clearly states:

"The state language.

The state language of the republic is [Bangla], "

(Supply: [http://www.pmo.gov.bd/constitution/consti2.htm#3].)

Nothing within the Structure mentions the standing of English. English will not be talked about as a second language or official language. Due to this fact, assuming the standing of English in our Structure, we cannot declare that English is a second language or official language in Bangladesh.

English in courtroom in Bangladesh:

After independence, the federal government took the initiative to place the Bangla language in courtroom. In consequence, the decrease courts at the moment are conducting their actions in Bangla, however English continues to be very influential within the Supreme Courtroom and the Supreme Courtroom. If a lawyer desires to observe within the Supreme Courtroom, he needs to be fluent within the English language. Many judges are nonetheless judging their sentences in English. Plainly this pattern of utilizing English will proceed sooner or later.

English within the training sector in Bangladesh:

The formal and institutionalized training system started in Bangladesh throughout British rule. At the moment, Bangladesh belonged to British India. There was a debate concerning the medium of training. Raja Rammohan Roy argued that the medium needs to be English moderately than Sanskrit or Persian. Through the British interval, the tutorial medium was giant in English. The College of Calcutta took the initiative in 1935 to introduce Bangla as a instructing device alongside English. In Bangladesh, the deployment of Bangla started within the 1960s. Now college students can reply in exams in Bangla or English. At schools and universities after 1971, the federal government tried to patronize Bangla and implement it by introducing English into the training sector. Nevertheless, this has not been realized on account of some basic points. The primary downside is that there have been not sufficient books on this topic in Bangla. This downside is extra acute in science and know-how. For instance, in Bangla there are nearly no books on laptop know-how that can be utilized as a reference guide on the college stage.

There are three forms of training techniques in our nation: Bangla medium, English medium and Madrasa system. Bangla center colleges could be divided into two sections - state colleges and kindergarten colleges. Within the kindergarten colleges extra emphasis is positioned on the English language than on state colleges. A number of the well-known kindergarten colleges in Dhaka are Vikarounnesa, Holycross, Willes Little Flower and so forth. Though these colleges are a part of Bangla's medium, college students should examine 3-Four English books similar to: Radiant Approach, Lively English, Desk Work, Fundamental English, Lighter Grammar, and so forth. Alternatively, the state colleges primarily have an English for In the present day guide revealed by the Bangladesh Textual content E-book Board. The English center colleges don't comply with the training system in Bangladesh and are below the supervision of the British Council. The instructing materials in these colleges is English and most of the college students within the English language are even very weak within the Bangla language. There are two forms of Madrassas - Dakhil and Kawmi. The Kawmi Madrassas should not acknowledged by the federal government and obtain no authorities help. On this Madrassas emphasis is positioned on studying Arabic, Persian and Urdu, whereas Bangla and English are uncared for. Alternatively, Dakhil Madrassas focuses on Arabic and Bangla, and English will not be a lot uncared for.

So we are able to see clearly that the distinction within the training system in Bangladesh relies solely on the completely different medium of training. Though Bangla is the official language of Bangladesh, the English medium-sized academic establishments obtain more cash. The rise of personal universities has solely elevated the standing and significance of the English language in Bangladesh. There at the moment are greater than 50 personal universities in Bangladesh. The tutorial medium is English in all. These universities cost 2 lakh to five lakh Taka for the undergraduate diploma program. If the tutorial medium was in Bangla, hardly any pupil or mother or father could be desirous about paying a lot for training at personal universities.

It's clear from the above dialogue that English is of equal or lesser significance than Bangla in our common training system. In our training system, English is actually the second language, as all college students must study it as a obligatory topic for 12 years.

English and Administration:

Through the speech motion, folks in Bangladesh have been afraid that if Urdu was established as a state language of Pakistan, the entire authorities's actions in Urdu could be carried out and our folks would undergo. Because of the language motion, the Pakistani regime continued to conduct authorities actions in English. After Bangladesh turned unbiased, the Awami League authorities determined to interchange English with Bangla in administrative work. Nevertheless, after the demise of Sheikh Mujib, this course of was discontinued and English remained the dominant language. It was created and applied in the course of the reign of Ershad Bangla Procholon Aeen in 1987. Since then, English has misplaced significance in administration. Nevertheless, it have to be famous that the whole worldwide communication of the Authorities of Bangladesh is in English.

English in financial actions:

The economic system of Bangladesh relies on overseas help and the export of some frequent objects similar to ready-to-wear, jute, tea, fish, and many others. and we additionally import many issues. Bangladesh will not be economically adequate. Commerce is extra standard than manufacturing. Commerce requires fixed communication with overseas firms. Most of the buying and selling firms want to make use of English when coping with foreigners. Suppose an organization offers with China, which isn't an English-speaking nation. Then the corporate should contact the Chinese language firm in English. If we take a look at the adverts of personal sector businesses, we are able to simply see that the majority job ads are revealed in English. Even most personal sector job ads revealed in Bengali newspapers are revealed in English. In nearly all personal occupations candidates will need to have good English language expertise. Nearly all public firms publish their annual experiences in English. A few of these firms produce a Bangla model of their annual report, however the emphasis is at all times on English. So it's 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 the uneducated attempt to study these languages ​​as a result of they're thought-about sacred. If we evaluate English studying with these languages, we see that English will get extra that means. For instance, the tutoring price of an English teaching heart is way larger than that of an Arab teaching heart. English tutors obtain 4-5 occasions more cash than Arabic tutors (Huzur). Though a non secular feeling is about in Arabic, English is taken into account extra essential because it has financial advantages.

Comparability of English overseas languages ​​similar to French, German and Farsi:

French and German are very fashionable in our nation for financial causes. Studying these languages ​​helps us to enhance our potential to get a UN job. Studying French can also be useful for immigration to Canada. There are additionally good services to study these languages ​​at Dhaka College, Alliance Francaise and the Goethe-Institut. Not too long ago, the English Institute of North South College has launched a French course. Alternatively, Farsi was the language of the royal administration and courtroom in Bangladesh throughout Muslim rule. At present, a pupil can attend a Farsi course for one semester by paying solely tk. 250 within the Iran Cultural Middle, however there should not many college students desirous about studying Farsi, French and German. Alternatively, yearly tons of of scholars attend the TOEFL and IELTS examinations in English.

From the image above it's clear that the standing of English is way larger than overseas languages ​​like German, French and Farsi. We cannot deny the truth that an individual who speaks English nicely can earn cash in any a part of Bangladesh, but when an individual is proficient in French, German or Farsi, they've little alternative to earn cash through the use of their expertise these languages.

Suggestions:

From the dialogue up to now, there isn't a doubt that English is the second language of Bangladesh, however this actuality will not be mirrored in our structure. Formally, Bangladesh will not be recognized externally as an ESL nation. Bangladesh ought to due to this fact be declared by the federal government immediately ESL nation. We don't study English as a result of we like Shakespeare or Dickens. We study English from the each day necessity. If Bangladesh is said an ESL nation and the English language is given a transparent constitutional standing, it is not going to solely mirror actuality, but additionally assist us internationally. Sadly, Bangladesh is now making an attempt to draw overseas buyers. Earlier than an organization involves Bangladesh to discover funding alternatives, one of the crucial essential areas to search for is the supply of a pool of English graduates, and additionally it is anticipated that extraordinary employees have primary English language expertise. If we change into an ESL nation, these overseas firms might be assured find Bangladesh by the sturdy presence of the English language in that nation.

The identical image exists within the training sector. Many Bangladeshi college students need to go to developed international locations such because the US, UK, Canada and Australia for larger training. If Bangladesh is said an ESL nation, these college students are most popular as a result of the colleges of those international locations are getting the concept that English in Bangladesh has a particular that means.

Due to this fact, I like to recommend to the Authorities of Bangladesh that English needs to be declared second language by altering the Structure.

Conclusion:

Bangladesh is the one nation on this planet the place folks have sacrificed their lives for the language. Now the historic language motion of 1952 is internationally acknowledged as Worldwide Mom Language Day. It's true that our individuals are desirous about their language, Bangla. Nevertheless, it's equally true that our staff at the moment are desperately searching for to observe English. Bangladesh now has greater than fifty personal universities. If North South provides BBA and laptop science programs in Bangla medium, they might not even attain 10% of the scholars. It's now time to finish the massive contradiction to the language downside and declare Bangladesh an ESL nation for our personal profit.

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