The Resonance of Bengali: 10 Little-Known Facts

The Bengali language, known as “বাংলা” (Bangla), is the mother tongue of the Bengal region, encompassing Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. With its rich literary heritage and significant number of speakers, Bengali holds a prominent place among the world’s languages. Yet, there are many facets of this language that remain lesser-known to the global audience. Let’s explore ten intriguing and lesser-known details about Bengali.

1. Seventh Most Spoken Language:

With over 230 million speakers, Bengali ranks as the seventh most spoken language in the world. It serves as the lingua franca for Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal.

2. A Script with Unique Identity:

The Bengali script is a descendant of the ancient Brahmi script. While it shares similarities with scripts of other Indian languages, it’s distinct in its appearance, particularly its rounded characters.

3. The Language of Nobel Laureates:

Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali polymath, was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection of poems, “Gitanjali”. His compositions in Bengali, notably the Indian national anthem “Jana Gana Mana” and Bangladesh’s “Amar Shonar Bangla”, are celebrated.

4. Historic Language Movement:

The International Mother Language Day, observed on February 21st, was inspired by the Bengali Language Movement in 1952. Bengalis in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) protested against the imposition of Urdu as the sole official language, leading to several deaths – a crucial moment that later played a role in Bangladesh’s struggle for independence.

5. Rich in Dialectal Diversity:

While Standard Bengali is widely understood, the language boasts numerous dialects. Some of the major ones include Dhakaiya Kutti, Chittagonian, Sylheti, and Rangpuri. Some dialects, like Chittagonian, are considered separate languages due to their distinctiveness.

6. Shared Vocabulary with Arabic, Persian, and Turkic:

Due to historical interactions, especially during the Mughal Empire and the Delhi Sultanate, Bengali has borrowed words from Arabic, Persian, and Turkic languages. This shared vocabulary is evident in domains like administration, culture, and cuisine.

7. Oldest Known Bengali Text:

The “Charyapada”, a collection of mystical Buddhist hymns, is the oldest known Bengali text. Written between the 7th and 12th centuries, it provides a glimpse into the early evolution of the language.

8. Contribution to Linguistic Studies:

Suniti Kumar Chatterji, a Bengali linguist, played a crucial role in the Linguistic Survey of India. His extensive work in phonetics, linguistics, and Bengali dialectology has significantly shaped the understanding of South Asian languages.

9. A Language of Cinematic Excellence:

Bengali cinema, especially works by directors like Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak, has gained international acclaim. Their films, rich in narrative and rooted in Bengal’s socio-cultural milieu, showcase the beauty of the Bengali language and its expressions.

10. Endangered Writing Styles:

Historically, Bengali had multiple writing styles. While the “Shadhu-bhasha” (saintly language) with its Sanskrit dominance was popular in formal writings, the “Cholti-bhasha” (current or colloquial language) was more common in daily conversation. Over time, a unified style, blending elements from both, has become prevalent.

Conclusion

Bengali, with its mellifluous phonetics, rich literary tradition, and historical significance, is a language of emotion, intellect, and heritage. Its journey from ancient scriptures to contemporary literature and cinema showcases a dynamic evolution. Each of these lesser-known facts adds another layer to the appreciation of this beautiful language, underscoring its relevance in the tapestry of global cultures.