Bengali

Bengali is the main language of Bangladesh where

it is spoken by approximately 100 million people and
another around 68 million speak it in India,
predominantly in West Bengal. It is estimated that
as it has spread throughout the world a further 200
million speak Bengali as either a first or second
language. The language, written in the Bengali alphabet
is diglossic which means there are two very distinct
forms of the language High and Low.
High, or Sadhu Bhasa which contains many words
derived from Sanskrit is used in formal contexts such
as sermons, lectures and speeches and Low, known
as Calit Bhasa, is more for everyday conversation,
modern literature and other informal situations.
Gradually Calit Bhasa is becoming the more accepted
form of the language.
Bengali contains a large number of loanwords
from Portuguese, English, Arabic, Persian and Hindi.
Written in a cursive script below an imaginary line
Bengali has 52 consonants and 12 vowels in its
alphabet. Vowels are made by placing symbols or
vowel marks around the consonant.
While English numbers are now common in
Bengali script its worth noting that the symbol 8 in
Bengali equates to the number 4.
Bengali is a phonetic language and has similarities
with other Indian languages. Verbs are changed or
modified by appending a suffix to a word. There is no
verb to be in Bengali so they may say I student for I
am a student. Sentence structure is usually
subjectobjectverb. Statements are turned into

negatives by adding Na (literally meaning no) at the

end of the sentence. In Bengali the word ki means
what? It can turn a statement into a question, e.g.
Ami chhAtro is I am a student and Ami ki chhAtro
means Am I a student?
While Bengali is phonetic, there is a tendency to
speak vowel sounds, particularly o, that are not
written, e.g. ngr, which means town, is pronounced
nogor. English pronunciation and word stress can be
difficult for Bengali speakers to learn, as is the Latin
based alphabet.
There is no gender distinction in pronouns but
there are polite and familiar forms. When addressing
someone, elders are addressed as Apni by younger
people and younger people are addressed as Tomi
by older people.
The majority of Bangladeshis are Muslim and a
common greeting would be As-salaa-mu-alaikum
meaning Peace be upon you. They would also
touch the forehead with the right hand. Though
there are no strict rules for naming, the family
name comes first and is followed by a given
name. An older person would be addressed by
their given name followed by a suffix such as older
sister even if they are not related.
When speaking to an older person it would
be rude for Bangladeshis to maintain eye contact,
but at other times eye contact is desirable. Whistling
and winking in public is considered impolite, and it
is also considered impolite to cross ones legs
while sitting. Giving the thumbs up sign is undesirable

and so is beckoning with the index finger.

It is common for Bangladeshis to eat with the hand,
the right one, though spoons are used for desserts.
Men and women may eat separately at large gatherings.
White is worn for mourning.

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Bengali

DURING THE LESSON

GENERAL

ENGLISH

BENGALI

PRONUNCIATION

Hi/Hello

Hello

Bye/Goodbye

Bidai/Jachsi

How are you?

Kamon aso?

Fine/Well, and you?

Valo abong tomi?

Not so good

Toto valo noy

Whats your name?

Tomar nam ki?

My name is

Amar nam _____________

Pardon?

Ki bolasan?

Yes

Ha

No

Na

I dont know

Ami janina

Please

Doya koro

Thank you

Tomaka dhonnobad

Good!

Valo!

Do you understand?

Tomi ki bojho?

Try again

Abar chesta koro

Do you want some help?

Tomi ki shajjo chao?

Dont worry, learning takes time

Chinta koro na, shakhai shomoi laga

Shall we take a break now?

Amra ki akhon biroti nabo?

Lets finish (the lesson) now

Cholo (porati) shash kori

Youre doing well

Tomi valo korso

Can you say it now?

Tomi ki akhon iha bolta paro?

Can you answer (the question)?

Tomi ki ottor dita paro?

Now you ask me

Tomi akhon amaka jiggesh koro

See you next week

Porar shoptaha dekha hoba