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