Bengali Languages and Translations
Bangladesh's official language is Bangla, also known as Bengali. Bangla is spoken by some 98% of the population of Bangladesh whilst thousands of individuals speak Urdu.
Bangladesh's Bangla language has quite a tumultuous past. On 21 February 1952, several Bangalees gave up their lives to protect Bangla from Pakistani oppressors who were trying to make Urdu the state language. This great language movement began in September 1947 when students, intellectuals and cultural activists along with patriotic community members brought about an upsurge. This lead to the events of February 1952 and ended in the 1971 war of Liberation. In 1999 UNESCO named 21 February International Mother Language Day in honor of the Bangalee martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the establishment of Bangla.
But how did Bangla come about? Bangla is derived directly from a form of Middle Indo-Aryan which itself was born out of Sanskrit. Bangla hence evolved chiefly from Sanskrit. Other languages that had an influence on Bangla were Hindi, English, Urdu and Farsi. The Bangla alphabet was influenced by the Brahmi alphabet and took on its current form when printing types came into use in 1778.
You can be certain that the locals will greatly appreciate it if you can utter a few words of Bangla when visiting Bangladesh. Why not get hold of a Bangladesh translation program or book. Many free online Bangladesh translators can be found on the internet. We have provided you with a few Bangla words and phrases we are sure you will find helpful during your visit to Bangladesh below.
Hello – asalaam alaykum (Muslim)
Hello – nomaashkaar (Hindu)
Goodbye – khudaa hafiz
Excuse me – maaf korun
Yes – ji
No – na
What is your name? - aapnaar naam ki?
I don't understand – aami bujhi naa
Where is ...? - ... kotaai?
User Comments & Reviews
2010-02-12 14:22:15
Roberto Pereira: "Onek donnabad" means "thank you very much" =)
2010-02-01 16:04:04
Id like to know the phrase "never give up" in bengali. Or anything along the lines of that.
2010-02-01 00:23:41
i would like to know what "Onek donnabad" mean?
2010-01-20 15:42:09
please can you tell e how to say this in bangladesh dream like you live forever, live like you die tomorrow
2010-01-08 18:56:40
I am deaf and want to use English to bengali and bengali to english online. Where can I find it? can you tell me how to say, You are a great hilsa chef" thank you, gopal
2009-12-29 00:25:30
I would like to know what this means in english. Please email the translation! Tut tut tut, Allah Kana ke Kana, Langra ke Langra & Mota ke mota bolte mana koreche. Mmm tobe Batku ke Umpa lumpa bolte mone hoi mana nai
2009-12-22 11:06:37
What this means in english? .. dui jon mile to valoi potano shuru korchish
2009-12-05 00:27:56
I would like to know what means this in english? Hulk, ki khaite chaile ar ki paili.......chawa ar pawa mila na re dos to miile na
2009-10-02 08:11:33
very fine
Leave a comment: