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