This reading especially regarding the section about the extinction of languages intrigued me. Although the main language of Bangladesh is Bengali/Bangla, many other less known languages also exist. I visited the Hill tract regions of Bangladesh and many different tribes and villages had their own language. Some of the languages were very similar to Bangla like Chakma but others were completely foreign to me. Sometimes to talk to those people, I would speak in Bangla, and someone would translate into the local language. It was absolutely incredible. One of my guides could speak 10 of these languages. However he told me that all these languages are dying out one by one, as they hear and come into contact with the main language of the country. This phenomenon does not surprise, but what does surprise me is the popularity of English.
The prime minister of Bangladesh recently called English “ekta fashion”. Many of the upper class are starting to use this language with their friends instead of only when necessary. Now I can understand the necessity of learning English, but still I hope they retain their mother tongue. Although it is difficult and frustrating to learn some times, the language has so much richness and culture imbedded in it. Not only that, but this country fought a war to be able to use their language instead of Urdu. I hope they remember that.
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