| Mother tongue or first language is perhaps | | | | High Court and Supreme Court. If a lawyer |
| the most favorite thing for any person. The | | | | wants to practice in Supreme court then he |
| question of language has resulted into many | | | | must have a good command over English |
| conflicts and discontentment. The prime | | | | language. Many of the judges still give their |
| example of such discontentment is the | | | | verdicts in English language. It seems that |
| Language Movement of 1952 in Bangladesh. On | | | | this trend of using English will remain for |
| the other hand we can not live in isolation. | | | | the forcible future.English in Education |
| We have to be in contact with the speakers of | | | | sector in Bangladesh:Formal and |
| other languages. Bangladesh is considered to | | | | institutionalized education system started in |
| be a monolingual country in which more than | | | | Bangladesh during the British rule. At that |
| 98% of the population is speakers of Bangla | | | | time Bangladesh was part of British India. |
| language. However, there are more than ten | | | | There was a debate about the medium of |
| languages in such a small country like | | | | education. Raja Rammohan Roy argued that the |
| Bangladesh. Monipuri, Urdu, Chakma, Santali, | | | | medium should be English rather than Sanskrit |
| Garo, Rakhain, Tipra- are just some of the | | | | or Persian. During the British period the |
| other languages present in Bangladesh.The | | | | medium of education was largely in English. |
| interesting thing is that Urdu is a | | | | Calcutta University took an initiative in |
| Indo-European language but written in Arabic | | | | 1935 to introduce Bangla as a medium of |
| script, Santali belongs to the Mono-Khemar | | | | education along with English. In Bangladesh |
| language family while Chakma belongs to the | | | | the use of Bangla in college level started in |
| Chinese-Barmese language group. So, although | | | | the 1960s. Now students can answer in the |
| Bangladesh is often portrayed as a country of | | | | examinations in Bangla or English. In the |
| linguistic unity based on Bangla language in | | | | college level and university level after 1971 |
| reality it has notable linguistic diversity. | | | | the government tried to patronize Bangla and |
| To communicate with the speakers of other | | | | implement it by replacing English in the |
| languages we either need to know their | | | | education sector but this did not came into |
| language or communicate in a Lingua-Franca | | | | reality because of some basic problems. The |
| that is comprehensible to both of us.Today, | | | | first problem is that there were not enough |
| the world has become a global village. Thanks | | | | books of any field in Bangla language. This |
| to the advancement of communication system | | | | problem is more acute in science and |
| and technology. Every country is dependent on | | | | technology. For example, there are almost no |
| others for trade and commerce, education, | | | | books in Bangla about computer technology |
| politics etc. As a result, we have to | | | | that can be used as a reference book in the |
| constantly communicate with other countries | | | | University level.Actually there are three |
| and speakers of other languages. Third world | | | | kinds of education systems in our country- |
| countries like Bangladesh have to depend on | | | | Bangla medium, English medium, and Madrasa |
| foreign aid because they are not | | | | system. Bangla medium schools can be divided |
| self-sufficient. As a result, many foreigners | | | | into two sections- government schools, and |
| come to Bangladesh. A third factor is the | | | | kindergarten schools. In the kindergarten |
| factor of religion. The sacred language of | | | | schools more emphasis is given on English |
| the Muslims is Arabic, Sanskrit for Hindus, | | | | language than government schools. Some of the |
| Pali for the Buddhists and Latin for the | | | | famous kindergarten schools of Dhaka are |
| Christians.All these factors remind us the | | | | Vikarounnesa, Holycross, Willes Little |
| necessity for learning other language(s) in | | | | Flower, and so on. Although these schools |
| addition to our mother tongue. According to | | | | belong to Bangla medium the students have to |
| this reality many countries of the world have | | | | study 3-4 English books like: Radiant Way, |
| adopted a European language as second | | | | Active English, Desk Work, Fundamental |
| language which is often used in education, | | | | English, Brighter Grammar, and so on. On the |
| law court, economic activities and government | | | | other hand in the government schools there is |
| works. These languages have most of the time | | | | mainly one English book (English for Today) |
| official status in the constitution of those | | | | which is published by Bangladesh Text Book |
| countries. Many of the cases the countries | | | | Board. The English medium schools do not |
| have adopted the language of their past | | | | follow Bangladeshi education system and are |
| colonial rulers as the second language. | | | | under the supervision of British Council. The |
| Sometimes these languages are also called | | | | medium of instruction in these schools is |
| official language. In many African countries | | | | English and many of the students of English |
| we can see this picture. On the other hand, | | | | medium are even very weak in Bangla language. |
| some European languages have become very | | | | There are two kinds of Madrassas - Dakhil and |
| important in the world for literary and | | | | Kawmi. The Kawmi Madrassas are not recognized |
| economic purposes. For example, German and | | | | by the government and do not receive any |
| French are considered to be important | | | | assistance from the government. In this |
| languages of the world because both of them | | | | Madrassas emphasis is given on learning |
| have influential literature and economic | | | | Arabic, Persian, and Urdu while Bangla and |
| aspects associated with them.For example, | | | | English are neglected. On the other hand in |
| many people in our country are interested to | | | | Dakhil Madrassas emphasis is mainly given on |
| learn French because it may help them to get | | | | Arabic and Bangla and English are not so much |
| UN jobs and jobs in Multinational companies. | | | | neglected.So we can clearly see that the |
| Another attractive motivation for learning | | | | difference in education system in Bangladesh |
| French in Bangladesh is that it may help us | | | | is solely based on the difference in the |
| to immigrate to Canada as skill in French | | | | medium of education. Although Bangla is the |
| language gives a person some extra points in | | | | National-Official language of Bangladesh it |
| the point system of Canadian immigration.The | | | | is the English medium education institutes |
| title of my research is "Status of English in | | | | who get more money. The rise of private |
| Bangladesh: Second language or foreign | | | | universities has only increased the status |
| language?" I have selected this topic because | | | | and importance of English language in |
| from sociolinguistic point of view the status | | | | Bangladesh. There are now more than 50 |
| of English is a very interesting one. On the | | | | private Universities in Bangladesh and the |
| one hand English language is dominantly | | | | medium of education in all of them is |
| present in every side of our national life | | | | English. These universities charge 2 lakh to |
| while on the other hand in our constitution | | | | 5 lakh taka for Bachelor course. If the |
| it is clearly declared that the language of | | | | medium of education was in Bangla then hardly |
| the country is Bangla. In fact, nothing is | | | | any student or parents would get interested |
| said about the status of English language in | | | | to pay such huge money for the education in |
| our constitution. On one hand, economic | | | | private universities.From the above |
| activities in the private companies are | | | | discussion it is clear that in our general |
| carried out in English while there is a | | | | education system English has equal if not |
| government law (Bangla procholon ain1987) | | | | more importance than Bangla. In our education |
| that government offices must use Bangla in | | | | system English is really the Second language |
| their official works. So from the government | | | | as all the students have to study it as a |
| point of view Bangla is the national- | | | | compulsory subject for twelve years.English |
| official language of Bangladesh and English | | | | and Administration:During the language |
| is the most important foreign language. But | | | | movement the people of Bangladesh were afraid |
| in reality English is the second language of | | | | that if Urdu was established as the State |
| the country and in many places English is | | | | Language of Pakistan then all the government |
| more important than Bangla in | | | | activities will be carried out in Urdu and |
| Bangladesh.Second language:A second language | | | | our people will suffer. As a result of the |
| is any language other than the first, or | | | | language movement, the Pakistani Regime kept |
| native, language learned; it is typically | | | | on carrying out government activities in |
| used because of geographical or social | | | | English language. After Bangladesh became |
| reasons. The term is to be distinguished from | | | | independent the government of Awami League |
| foreign language; linguist Eric Lenneberg | | | | decided to replace English with Bangla in |
| uses second language in his critical period | | | | administrative works but after the death of |
| hypothesis to mean a language consciously | | | | Sheikh Mujib this process came to a halt and |
| learned or used by its speaker after puberty. | | | | English continued to remain as the dominant |
| In most cases, people never achieve the same | | | | language. It was during the rule of Ershad |
| level of fluency and comprehension in their | | | | Bangla Procholon Aeen of 1987 was created and |
| second languages as in their first | | | | implemented. From that time English started |
| language.Historically in Europe, the most | | | | to lose its significance in administration. |
| widely used second language (or lingua | | | | However, it has to be mentioned that all the |
| franca) was Latin. It was used by the Church; | | | | international communication of Bangladesh |
| by the Law (as it still is today); in | | | | government is carried out through |
| Medicine (starting much later); Horticulture | | | | English.English in Economic activities:The |
| and biological classification of plants, | | | | economy of Bangladesh is dependent on foreign |
| animals, fruits, nuts, etc.Latin was used so | | | | aids and export of some common items like |
| much across Europe that it was called the | | | | ready made garments, jute, tea, fish etc and |
| vulgar (or common tongue); this is why the | | | | also we import a lot of things. Bangladesh is |
| Latin version of the Bible is called the | | | | not self sufficient economically. Trading is |
| Vulgate.Nowadays, English is considered the | | | | more popular than production. Trading |
| world's most widespread second language; it | | | | requires constant communication with foreign |
| is used in areas as diverse as the internet, | | | | companies. Many of the companies who are |
| television and radio, and international | | | | involved in trading have to use English in |
| aviation.The success of English throughout | | | | dealing with foreigners. Suppose, a company |
| the world stems from two major causes: the | | | | is doing trading with China which is not an |
| far reaching influence of the British Empire, | | | | English speaking country. Then the company |
| and the 20th century (and continuing) | | | | has to contact the Chinese company in |
| dominance of the United States in the fields | | | | English. If we look at the advertisements of |
| of business and entertainment.French was for | | | | the private sector jobs then we can easily |
| a time the lingua franca (the origin of term) | | | | notice that most of the job advertisements |
| in Europe. In history, both England and | | | | are posted in English. Even most of the |
| France were ruled by a single crown - the | | | | private sector job advertisements that are |
| language used by the royal court was French | | | | posted in Bengali newspapers are posted in |
| (English was considered "the peasant's | | | | English. Almost all the private jobs state |
| language"). Afterwards, as was the case with | | | | that the applicants must have good |
| English, the French empire spread its | | | | proficiency in English language. Almost all |
| language through colonization. French | | | | the public limited companies publish their |
| continues to be one of the world's most | | | | annual reports in English. Some of these |
| widely spoken languages. (Source: | | | | companies produce a Bangla version of their |
| Wikipedia)If we look at the definition of | | | | annual report but the emphasis is always on |
| second language then we can easily say that | | | | English. So it is clear that English is the |
| English is the second language of Bangladesh. | | | | dominant language in our economic |
| It is widely used in many parts of our | | | | activities.Comparison of English with Arabic, |
| national life. Many people watch English | | | | Sanskrit, and Pali in Bangladesh:Arabic, |
| television channels and also use Internet. | | | | Sanskrit and Pali are the religious languages |
| The students have to study it for twelve | | | | of Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists |
| years and those who want to join civil | | | | respectively. Even the uneducated people try |
| service by attending BCS exam also have to | | | | to learn these languages as they are |
| sit for English examination. The only thing | | | | considered to be holy. If we compare the |
| that is missing from the above definition is | | | | learning of English with these languages then |
| the fact that except for formal occasions no | | | | we can see that English is given more |
| one speaks in English in Bangladesh. It is | | | | importance. For example, the tuition fee of a |
| not the language used in home among family | | | | English coaching center is much higher than |
| members and among friends in informal | | | | that of an Arabic coaching centre. English |
| conversation.Foreign language:A foreign | | | | private tutors get 4-5 times more money than |
| language is a language not spoken by the | | | | Arabic private tutors (Huzur). So although |
| indigenous people of a certain place: for | | | | Arabic has religious sentiment attached to it |
| example, English is a foreign language in | | | | English is considered to be more important as |
| Japan. It is also a language not spoken in | | | | it has economic benefit.Comparison of English |
| the native country of the person referred to, | | | | foreign languages like French, German, and |
| i.e. an English speaker living in Japan can | | | | Farsi:French and German have become very |
| say that Japanese is a foreign language to | | | | popular for economic reasons in our country. |
| him or her.Some children learn more than one | | | | Learning these languages help us to increase |
| language from birth or from a very young age: | | | | our possibility to get a UN job. Learning |
| they are bilingual. These children can be | | | | French is also helpful for getting |
| said to have two mother tongues: neither | | | | immigration to Canada. Also there are good |
| language is foreign to that child, even if | | | | facilities to learn these languages in Dhaka |
| one language is a foreign language for the | | | | University, Alliance Francaise, and Goethe |
| vast majority of people in the child's birth | | | | Institute. Recently, the English Institute of |
| country. For example, a child learning | | | | North South University has introduced French |
| English from her English mother in Japan can | | | | course. On the other hand during the Muslim |
| speak both English and Japanese, but neither | | | | reign Farsi was the language of the Royal |
| is a foreign language to her. (Source- | | | | administration and law court in Bangladesh. |
| Wikipedia)From the above definition, it is | | | | At present, a student can attend Farsi course |
| seen that foreign language refers to a | | | | for one semester by just paying tk. 250 in |
| language that is not native to a person. From | | | | Iran Cultural Center but there are not many |
| this point of view English can be considered | | | | students who are interested to learn Farsi, |
| as a foreign language in Bangladesh since it | | | | French, and German. On the other hand, |
| is not native in our country. Hardly any | | | | hundreds of students each year appear for |
| Bangladeshi person speaks in English although | | | | TOEFL and IELTS exams in English |
| many of them use it in education and | | | | language.From the above picture it is clear |
| business.Official language:An official | | | | that the status of English is much higher |
| language is something that is given a unique | | | | than foreign languages like German, French, |
| status in the countries, states, and other | | | | and Farsi. We can not deny the reality that |
| territories. It is typically the language | | | | if a person is good at English then he can |
| used in a nation's legislative bodies, though | | | | earn money in any part of Bangladesh but if a |
| the law in many nations requires that | | | | person is good at French, German, or Farsi he |
| government documents be produced in other | | | | has hardly any scope to earn money by using |
| languages as well.Officially recognized | | | | his skills in these |
| minority languages are often mistaken for | | | | languages.Recommendations:From the discussion |
| official languages. However, a language | | | | so far there is no doubt that English is the |
| officially recognized by a state, taught in | | | | second language of Bangladesh but this |
| schools, and used in official communication | | | | reality is not reflected in our constitution. |
| is not necessarily an official language. For | | | | Officially Bangladesh is not known as an ESL |
| example, Ladin and Sardinian in Italy and | | | | country to the outside world. So Bangladesh |
| Mirandese in Portugal are only officially | | | | should be declared as an ESL country by the |
| recognized minority languages, not official | | | | government without any delay. We learn |
| languages in the strict sense.Half of the | | | | English not because we like Shakespeare or |
| countries in the world have official | | | | Dickens. We learn English from out of every |
| languages. Some have only one official | | | | day necessity. If Bangladesh is declared as |
| language, such as Albania, France, or | | | | an ESL country and English language is given |
| Lithuania, despite the fact that in all these | | | | a clear status in the constitution then it |
| countries there are other native languages | | | | will not only reflect the reality but also it |
| spoken as well. Some have more than one | | | | will help us internationally. Now Bangladesh |
| official language, such as Afghanistan, | | | | is desperately trying to attract foreign |
| Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Canada, Eritrea, | | | | investors. Before any company comes to |
| Finland, India, Paraguay, South Africa, and | | | | Bangladesh for exploring the investment |
| Switzerland.In some countries, such as Iraq, | | | | opportunities one of the key areas they would |
| Italy, Russia and Spain, there is an official | | | | look for is the availability of pool of |
| language for the country, but other languages | | | | English graduates and they also expect that |
| are co-official in some important regions. | | | | the normal workers will have basic |
| Some countries, such as Australia, Sweden, | | | | understanding of English language. If we |
| Tuvalu, and the United States have no | | | | become an ESL country then these foreign |
| official languages.The official languages of | | | | companies while searching about Bangladesh |
| some former colonies, typically French or | | | | will get assured about the strong presence of |
| English, are not the national languages or | | | | English language in this country.The same |
| the most widely spoken language.In contrast, | | | | picture is there about educational sector. |
| as a consequence of nationalism, Irish is the | | | | Many Bangladeshi students want to go to |
| "national language" of the Republic of | | | | developed countries like USA, UK , Canada, |
| Ireland and its first official language, | | | | and Australia for higher education. If |
| although it is spoken by only a small | | | | Bangladesh is declared as an ESL country then |
| fraction of its people. English, which is | | | | these students will be benefited because then |
| spoken by the majority, is described only as | | | | the Universities of those countries will get |
| the second official language (Constitution of | | | | the idea that English has special |
| Ireland, Article 8).In some countries, the | | | | significance in Bangladesh.So I recommend to |
| issue of which language is to be used in what | | | | the government of Bangladesh that English |
| context is a major political | | | | should be declared as the second language of |
| issue.(Source-Wikipedia)From the above | | | | the country by amending the |
| definition, it is seen that the notion of | | | | constitution.Conclusion:Bangladesh is the |
| official language is complicated. According | | | | only country in the world whose people |
| to our constitution English can not be termed | | | | sacrificed their lives for the language. Now |
| as the official language of Bangladesh since | | | | the historical language movement of 1952 is |
| it has no status in our constitution. The | | | | acknowledged internationally as the |
| only language that is mentioned in our | | | | International Mother Language Day. It is true |
| constitution is Bangla. But English is | | | | that our people are emotional about their |
| allowed in our parliament and many government | | | | language, Bangla. However, it is equally true |
| events. For example, when there is a | | | | that now our people have become desperate |
| government event in which some foreigners | | | | about getting skilled in English language. As |
| attend then in many cases the speakers use | | | | a result, there are more than fifty private |
| English language. Many important government | | | | universities now in Bangladesh. If North |
| documents are written both in Bangla and | | | | South Offered BBA and Computer Science |
| English. The parliament proceedings are kept | | | | courses in Bangla medium then they would not |
| into these two languages. When a government | | | | get even 10% of the number of students they |
| body organizes a fair then often the souvenir | | | | have now. It is now good time that we finish |
| is published in English.Constitution:About | | | | the great contradiction about the language |
| the language of the country the Bangladeshi | | | | issue and declare Bangladesh as an ESL |
| constitution clearly states:"The state | | | | country for our own benefit.Bibliography1. |
| language.The state language of the Republic | | | | Dr. Musa, Monsur. BHASHACINTA PROSONGO O |
| is [Bangla]."(Source: the constitution | | | | PORIDHI. Dhaka:Bangla |
| nothing is mentioned about the status of | | | | |
| English. English is not mentioned as a second | | | | Academy, 2002.2. Dr. Musa, Monsur. |
| language or official language. So if we take | | | | BANGLADESHER RASHTRABHASHA. Dhaka:Bangla |
| the status of English in our constitution | | | | |
| then we cannot claim that English is a Second | | | | Academy, 2002.3. Dr. Musa, Monsur. BHASHA |
| language or Official Language in | | | | PORIKOLPONAR SHOMAJ |
| Bangladesh.English in Law court in | | | | |
| Bangladesh:After Independence the government | | | | BHASHATATTA. Dhaka:Bangla Academy, 1996.4. |
| took the initiative to implement Bangla | | | | Dr. Musa, Monsur. BANGLA PARIBHASHA: ITIHAS O |
| language in law court. As a result, now the | | | | SAMASYA. Dhaka:Bangla |
| lower courts carry out their activities in | | | | |
| Bangla but English is yet very influential in | | | | Academy, 2002. |