Language and Communication
By Rajkonna Islam Rupa
What is Bangla?
• Language is a fundamental tool for
communication, helping people connect,
share ideas, and preserve culture.
• Bangla (Bengali) is the official language of
Bangladesh and one of the recognized
languages in India (West Bengal, Tripura,
Assam, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands).
• It is the 7th most spoken language in the
world, with over 270 million speakers.
History of Bangla
• Bangla has its roots in Sanskrit and evolved from
Magadhi Prakrit and Pali.
• The first written form appeared around the 10th
century AD.
• The Charyapada (8th–12th century) is one of the
earliest literary works in Bangla.
• The Bengal Renaissance (19th–20th century) played a
significant role in shaping modern Bangla literature,
with figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul
Islam, and Michael Madhusudan Dutt contributing
immensely.
Recognition as an Official Language
• Bangla became the official language of Bangladesh after the Language Movement (Bhasha Andolon)
of 1952, where students protested against the imposition of Urdu as the sole state language in then
East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
• February 21st (Ekushey February) is observed as International Mother Language Day, recognized by
UNESCO in 1999 to honor the sacrifices of those who fought for their right to speak Bangla.
• The Bangladesh Constitution (Article 3) officially recognizes Bangla as the state language.
Connection with Other Languages
• Bangla belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family and shares similarities with Hindi,
Assamese, and Odia.
• It has borrowed words from Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, English, and Portuguese due to
historical influences.
• Bangla script is derived from the Brahmi script, similar to Devanagari.
• Bangla’s rich literature has inspired other languages, with Rabindranath Tagore’s works
being translated worldwide.
Conclusion
• Bangla is more than just a language; it is a symbol of
identity, culture, and resistance.
• The struggle for its recognition highlights the importance
of linguistic rights and the power of communication.
• Its influence continues to grow, shaping literature, music,
and global linguistic heritage.
References
• UNESCO Official Website – International Mother
Language Day
• Bangla Academy, Dhaka
• "History of Bengali Language" – Dr. Suniti Kumar
Chatterji
• Various literary works and historical documents
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