Language: The core of a nation’s identity

           Language is the tool that helps us to express our thoughts,share our stories and preserve our 

heritage.It also carries the history,culture and tradition of community.It is not just a mean of 

communication,it is the heart of a nation's identity.Today, the young generation is using a 

new type of language which is known as social media language.This language has become 

a matter of ‘wow’ to them but it is a matter of great concern to them who are aware of this vital

 ingredient of culture that matters much to the identity of a nation. 

In social media, people use the mingled version of Bangla and English language.This issue bewildered me for two vital reasons.The first one is the short form of English words and the second one is the use of English letters for Bengali writing.It is not a matter of joke or fun.If it continues and the young generation gets used to this type of language,it will surely be a threatful matter to the future.Because this might mislead or give misconception to them about the real use of English as well as this might seriously affect our identity and culture which are deeply connected to our existence.This change is very alarming in the sense that people who are using such kind of language may forget the unforgettable history of 1952 that has been a blessing for us.We have got Bangla as our mother tongue by sacrificing martyrs life.This sacrifice or incident may lose its glory.English is an international language.It is mostly required for international communication.We can not deny it at all.Thus, we should be careful about the correct use of both Bangla and English languages.In this regard I would like share one of my experience.

 

Few years ago,I was a cadet in BNCC.On an annual camp,the cadets were asked

 to speak in English in front of everyone.It was a bolt from the blue to the cadets.

There were a weird reaction seen among the cadets.They could not take it easily.

A mixed reaction was seen among them.Most of them were seen having lack of 

self confidence for using the foreign language.Other people also had different 

reactions as well. They thought it demeaning to the mother tongue.They thought

 as they were not comfortable in English it was a matter of embarrassment.However,

there was an intelligent  army officer who tackled the situation very wisely.He 

addressed the cadets as global citizens and gave a brief on the necessity of using

 the language in the corporate world.He told them English is the necessity and Bangla

 is the love.So, “Love Bangla and speak English”.I was really impressed with how the

 officer convinced the cadets to speak English either right or wrong in the initial stage.

The cadets were really influenced by the officer.They started giving the slogan 

“Love Bangla and speak English”.It was a iconic scene which I could never forget.At 

the end of the day everybody started speaking in English with a full confidence and 

smartly kept their great love for Bangla.

 

 

English has some contracted form of verbs.For example, don’t for do not,haven’t for have not,

 ’ll for will etc.We are used to use these forms.But the short form of words which the young

generation is using on social media is not expected at all.They are using ‘Thnx for Thanks’,

‘U for you’, ‘Bt for but’, ‘XD for laughter’, ‘F9 for fine’, ‘W8 for wait’, ‘Gdn8 for goodnight’,

‘Bro for brother’ etc.If it goes like this maybe the real spelling of these words will rub out.Is this something

 good?

 

 

If we look at the messages or comments or status on social media,we will see young generation is used to

 use English letters for Bengali spelling.It is seen frequently among them which is extremely obnoxious.

For example,

“Bondhu,tumi kamon aso”.

“Agamikal kon sikhkhak class niben?

“Tomar baba ma ke amar salam janio.” 

……………………………………………

……………………………………………

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Couldn’t they say simple English like this?

“Friend,How are you?”

“Which teacher will take the class tomorrow?”

“Convey my salam to parents.”

Okay,if necessary we can change the language with proper authority.But what people are doing in social

 media is seriously harmful for the nation.

  

 

Now, the question is why people are interested to do so?Is it a fashion or a comfort zone for the

 people?If they are not interested to typing in Bangla keyboard(Provat,Bijoy etc.),they can easily

 type English letters for Bangla in ‘Avro’ keyboard.But what they are doing is beyond imagination.

They are writing something which is neither English nor Bangla.Its actually the bad use of English

for Bangla.

 

 However,this type of change may cause cultural assault.So,it is high time we took necessary

 measure to updatethe existing Bangla keyboard and make a sophisticated software so that users

 can use them smoothly and conveniently for Bangla writing.I hope this will stop this type of 

changes and conserve the language and its nation’s identity.Our thrilling effort will bring something

 tremendous tomorrow and stop this generation from doing such things inshallah.