NSU Research Contributions
Title : A Framework for Language-in-Education Planning for Linguistic Minorities in Bangladesh
Authors : TaniaRahman
Abstract : Bangladesh is one of the poorest nations in the world with a high density of population. The majority of the population speak Bangla, the national language of the country, who identify themselves as Bangladeshi nationals. There are 45 indigenous groups speaking thirty different languages forming the linguistically minority groups in the country. These groups are ethnolinguistically different from the majority Bangla-speaking group. Grappling with the challenges of poverty, struggle for participation in the global economy and a feeble local economy since independence in 1971, Bangladesh has continued to face some of the most difficult educational problems in the world due to its adoption of ‘dual’ roles for the state language Bangla and English as the most important international language in the country. The educational policies have, however, ignored language issues in relation to the ethno-linguistic minorities in the country. The task of this thesis is an attempt to propose a framework for the language-in-education planning for linguistic minorities in Bangladesh. It explores the issue of national identity in relation to ethnic identities of the linguistic minorities in Bangladesh to justify the role of mother tongue in maintaining a balance between the ethnic and national identities of these groups and how this can be achieved through an inclusive language-in-education planning. Language planning for minorities is an often neglected area of investigation in Bangladesh. Little research has been done on language planning and educational policy in Bangladesh and even fewer works have shed light on the issue of minority language maintenance and education in Bangladesh. Therefore, there is a large gap in research in this area which deserves attention. Based on a case study approach, the thesis will seek to examine crucial language related issues focusing on the relevance and significance of mother tongue education for the linguistic minorities in Bangladesh.
| Journal : | Volume : | Year : 2009 | Issue : |
| Pages : 1-61 | City : | Edition : | Editors : |
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| Proceeding Title : | Institution : Nanyang Technological University, Singapore | Issuer : | Number : |