Languages of Bangladesh

People's Republic of Bangladesh. GaNa Prajãtantrï Bangladesh. Formerly East Pakistan. National or official language: Bengali. 124,774,000 (1998 UN). Population density 2,026 per square mile. 531,000 speakers of Tibeto-Burman languages, 125,000 speakers of Austro-Asiatic languages (1991 J. Matisoff). Literacy rate 24% to 25%. Also includes Gujarati, Hindi 346,000, Oriya 13,299, Eastern Panjabi 9,677, Sadri 200,000, Urdu 600,000. Information mainly from B. Comrie 1987; J. Matisoff et al. 1996. Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist. Blind population 1,085. Deaf population 7,596,511. Deaf institutions: 14. Data accuracy estimate: B. The number of languages listed for Bangladesh is 38. Of those, all are living languages. Diversity index 0.31.

Spoken living languages

ARAKANESE

[MHV] 185,000 in Bangladesh (1993 Johnstone), .1% of the population. Southeast, Chittagong Hills area. Marma is in the hills and Rakhine along the coast. Some possibly in China. Alternate names: 'MAGHI', 'MOGH', 'MAGH', MASH. Dialects: MARMA (MORMA), RAKHINE (RAKHAIN, YAKHAIN). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Lolo-Burmese, Burmish, Southern.
 

ASSAMESE

[ASM] Alternate names: ASAMBE, ASAMI. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese.
 

BENGALI

[BNG] 100,000,000 in Bangladesh (1994 UBS), 98% of the population (1990 WA). Population total all countries 207,000,000 first language speakers (1999 WA), 211,000,000 including second language speakers (1999 WA). Alternate names: BANGA-BHASA, BANGALA, BANGLA. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese.
 

BISHNUPRIYA

[BPY] Alternate names: BISHNUPURIYA, BISNA PURIYA, BISHNUPRIA MANIPURI. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese.
 

BURMESE

[BMS] 231,000 in Bangladesh (1993 Johnstone). Area bordering Myanmar. Alternate names: BAMA, BAMACHAKA, MYEN. Dialects: BOMANG. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Lolo-Burmese, Burmish, Southern.
 

CHAK

[CKH] 909 in Bangladesh (1981 census). Chittagong Hills. Most in Arakan Blue Mts., Myanmar. Classification: Unclassified.
 

CHAKMA

[CCP] 260,577 in Bangladesh (1991 UBS). Southeast, Chittagong Hills area, and Chittagong City. Alternate names: TAKAM. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese.
 

CHIN, ASHO

[CSH] 1,422 in Bangladesh (1981 census). Arakan Hills, Myanmar. Not in China. Alternate names: SHO, SHOA, KHYANG, KHYENG, QIN. Dialects: CHITTAGONG, LEMYO, MINBU, SANDOWAY, THAYETMYO. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Southern, Sho.
 

CHIN, BAWM

[BGR] 5,773 in Bangladesh (1981 census). Chittagong Hills. Alternate names: BAWN, BAWNG, BOM, BAWM. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Central.
 

CHIN, FALAM

[HBH] Alternate names: HALLAM CHIN, HALAM, FALLAM, FALAM. Dialects: CHOREI, ZANNIAT. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Northern.
 

CHIN, HAKA

[CNH] Alternate names: HAKA, BAUNGSHE. Dialects: LAI, KLANGKLANG (THLANTLANG), ZOKHUA, SHONSHE. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Central.
 

CHIN, KHUMI

[CKM] 1,188 in Bangladesh (1981 census). Alternate names: KHUMI, KHAMI, KHIMI, KHWEYMI, KHUNI. Dialects: KHIMI, KHAMI, YINDU (YINDI), MATU, NGALA. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Southern, Khumi.
 

CHIN, MRO

[CMR] A few villages across from Rakhine State, Myanmar. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin.
 

CHITTAGONIAN

[CIT] 14,000,000 (1998 H. Ebersole). Population total both countries 14,000,000. Alternate names: CHITTAGONIAN BENGALI. Dialects: ROHINGA (AKYAB). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese.
 

DARLONG

[DLN] 9,000 in Bangladesh. Population total both countries 15,000. Alternate names: DALONG. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Central.
 

GARO

[GRT] 102,000 in Bangladesh (1993). Northeastern, Mymensingh plains. Alternate names: GARROW, MANDE. Dialects: ABENG, ACHIK. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Garo.
 

HAJONG

[HAJ] Alternate names: HAIJONG. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese.
 

HO

[HOC] Alternate names: LANKA KOL. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Munda, North Munda, Kherwari, Mundari.
 

KHASI

[KHI] 85,088 in Bangladesh (1961 census). Northern. Alternate names: KAHASI, KHASIYAS, KHUCHIA, KYI, COSSYAH, KHASSEE, KHASIE. Dialects: KHASI (CHERRAPUNJI), LYNGNGAM (LNGNGAM), WAR. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Northern Mon-Khmer, Khasian.
 

KOCH

[KDQ] Alternate names: KOC, KOCCH, KOCE, KOCHBOLI, KONCH. Dialects: BANAI, HARIGAYA, SATPARIYA, TINTEKIYA, WANANG. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Koch.
 

KOK BOROK

[TRP] 78,000 in Bangladesh (1993 Johnstone). Alternate names: TRIPURI, TRIPURA, TIPURA, MRUNG, USIPI. Dialects: JAMATIA, NOATIA, RIANG (TIPRA), HALAM, DEBBARMA. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Bodo.
 

KURUX

[KVN] Alternate names: KURUKH, URAON, ORAOAN. Classification: Dravidian, Northern.
 

LUSHAI

[LSH] 1,041 in Bangladesh (1981 census). Mizo Hills. Alternate names: LUSHEI, LUSAI, SAILAU, HUALNGO, WHELNGO, LEI. Dialects: RALTE, DULIEN, NGENTE, MIZO. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Central.
 

MEGAM

[MEF] Northeastern. Alternate names: MIGAM. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Garo.
 

MEITEI

[MNR] 92,800 in Bangladesh (1982). Alternate names: MEITHEI, MEITHE, MITEI, MITHE, MEITEIRON, MANIPURI, MANIPURI, KATHE, KATHI, PONNA. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Meithei.
 

MRU

[MRO] 20,000 in Bangladesh (1999 ABWE). Population total all countries 41,200. Alternate names: MRO, MURUNG, MRUNG, MARU, NIOPRENG. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Mru.
 

MUNDARI

[MUW] Alternate names: MUNDA, MANDARI, MUNARI, HORO, MONDARI, COLH. Dialects: HASADA', LATAR, NAGURI, KERA.' Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Munda, North Munda, Kherwari, Mundari.
 

PANKHU

[PKH] 2,278 in Bangladesh (1981 census). Bandarban, Rangamati, Kagrachori, and some in Malumghat and Chittagong. Alternate names: PANKHO, PANKO, PANGKHU. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Central.
 

RAJBANGSI

[RJB] Districts of Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar. Alternate names: RAJBANSI, TAJPURI. Dialects: BAHE. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese.
 

RIANG

[RIA] 1,011 in Bangladesh. Alternate names: REANG, KAU BRU. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Bodo.
 

SADRI, ORAON

[SDR] 84,000 to 200,000 in Bangladesh(1994). Throughout Rajshahi Division; in Chittagong Division, Moulvibazar and Hobigani districts; and Khulna Division, Jhenaidah District (Jhenaidah Thana, Moheshpur Thana), Kushtia District (Mirpur Thana), Magura District (Magura Thana). Dialects: BORAIL SADRI, NURPUR SADRI, UCHAI SADRI, MOKKAN TILA SADRI. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bihari.
 

SANTALI

[SNT] 157,000 in Bangladesh (1993 Johnstone). Alternate names: HOR, SATAR, SANTHALI, SANDAL, SANGTAL, SANTAL, HAR, SONTHAL. Dialects: KARMALI (KHOLE), KAMARI-SANTALI, LOHARI-SANTALI, MAHALI (MAHLE), MANJHI, PAHARIA. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Munda, North Munda, Kherwari, Santali.
 

SHENDU

[SHL] 1,000 in Bangladesh (1980 UBS). Population total both countries 1,000 or more. Alternate names: KHYEN, KHYENG, KHIENG, SHANDU, SANDU. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Southern, Sho.
 

SYLHETTI

[SYL] 5,000,000 in Bangladesh. Population total both countries 5,100,000. Alternate names: SYLHETI, SYLHETTI BANGLA. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese.
 

TANGCHANGYA

[TNV] 17,695 (1981 census). Alternate names: TANCHANGYA. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese.
 

TIPPERA

[TPE] 105,000 (1993 Johnstone). Chittagong Hills. Alternate names: TIPPERA-BENGALI, TIPPERAH, TIPRA, TIPURA, TRIPERAH, TIPPURAH, TRIPURA. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Unclassified.
 

USUI

[USI] 4,010 (1981 census). Chittagong Hills. Alternate names: UNSHOI, UNSUIY, USHOI. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Unclassified.
 

Deaf sign languages

INDIAN SIGN LANGUAGE

[INS] Classification: Deaf sign language.
 

 

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