To Speak or Not to Speak Urdu: A Bihari Dilemma in Bangladesh
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| Title: | To Speak or Not to Speak Urdu: A Bihari Dilemma in Bangladesh |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Mohammad Sajjad Hossen (ORCID |
| Source: | Australian Review of Applied Linguistics. 2026 49(1):1-30. |
| Availability: | John Benjamins Publishing Company. Klaprozenweg 105 Postbus 36224, NL-1020 ME Amsterdam, Netherlands. Tel: +31-20-6304747; Fax: +31-20-6739773; e-mail: subscription@benjamins.nl; Web site: https://www.benjamins.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 30 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Foreign Countries, Urdu, Language Minorities, Public Opinion, Negative Attitudes, Social Bias, Language Role, Stakeholders, Community Influence, Social Influences, Language Attitudes, Language Usage |
| Geographic Terms: | Bangladesh |
| DOI: | 10.1075/aral.23061.hos |
| ISSN: | 0155-0640 1833-7139 |
| Abstract: | The only Urdu-speaking community in Bangladesh, known as the Bihari community, is a historically unique group that has experienced two consecutive dislocations within a period of 25 years. The community and their language have a troubled history in the country. This study sought to qualitatively understand some Bangladeshi Urdu speakers' Urdu-related experiences and perceptions from the perspective of minority language rights. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were then analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Findings show that the research participants were aware of Urdu's illegitimacy in public perceptions. This stigma attached to Urdu affected their adherence to the Urdu language and motivated them to prioritize learning Bangla for greater social and economic integration. The study identified a critical necessity for legal protections to strengthen the link between Urdu and Urdu speakers. This study significantly contributes to the extant literature on minority language rights by unveiling how the historical past, nation-building discourses, and media representations can potentially shape and reshape the language choice of a speech minority. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1497713 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The only Urdu-speaking community in Bangladesh, known as the Bihari community, is a historically unique group that has experienced two consecutive dislocations within a period of 25 years. The community and their language have a troubled history in the country. This study sought to qualitatively understand some Bangladeshi Urdu speakers' Urdu-related experiences and perceptions from the perspective of minority language rights. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were then analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Findings show that the research participants were aware of Urdu's illegitimacy in public perceptions. This stigma attached to Urdu affected their adherence to the Urdu language and motivated them to prioritize learning Bangla for greater social and economic integration. The study identified a critical necessity for legal protections to strengthen the link between Urdu and Urdu speakers. This study significantly contributes to the extant literature on minority language rights by unveiling how the historical past, nation-building discourses, and media representations can potentially shape and reshape the language choice of a speech minority. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0155-0640 1833-7139 |
| DOI: | 10.1075/aral.23061.hos |
