An effort to preserve the heritage of ‘Sylheti’ language
Though Sylheti or ‘Siloti’ is an Indo-Aryan language with its own script — Sylheti Nagri — it is currently written using the Bangla script
In the different districts of Bangladesh, Bangla is spoken with distinct regional dialects. This diversity adds to the beauty of the language, without it losing comprehensibility — anyone speaking standard Bangla can usually understand and communicate with speakers from any district with ease.
But when it comes to Sylhet, the dialect is perhaps a bit too distinct.
If it were just another form of Bangla, why would it have its own script? This question intrigued Shaikh Shihab Ahmed, an undergraduate student pursuing a BA in Religion, Politics and Society at King's College London.
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"The people of Sylhet are on the verge of losing the heritage of their mother tongue due to the fear of being labeled separatists. This is an existential crisis for them," he told The Business Standard.
He believes Sylheti is an independent and distinct language, and there is nothing wrong with that. Multiple languages can coexist within the same country, and this diversity is what makes it beautiful.
"On 25 February this year, Wikipedia launched its Sylheti language version, which uses the Nagri script for its articles. It is a significant milestone in the preservation and promotion of the Sylheti language and culture. Currently, the version has 2,249 articles, and has seen contributions from around 50 people so far. Shihab has also been an active part of this project."
Notably, Sylheti or 'Siloti' is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Sylhet region of Bangladesh, as well as in Assam's Barak Valley and Hojai district in India. It is the mother tongue of nearly 11.8 million people. Although the language has its own script, 'Sylheti Nagri', it is currently written using the Bangla script.
While many linguists consider it a Bangla dialect, others argue that it is an independent language altogether.
Shihab was born and raised in the Salalah city of Oman. He studied in Indian School Salalah, but spending around four months in Bangladesh every year kept his connection to his Sylheti roots intact.
His interest goes beyond just the Sylheti language; he is passionate about the broader field of linguistics. Already fluent in nine languages, he aims to pursue an MA in Linguistics.
"When I was a child, I was taught the Bangla alphabet, however at home, we spoke in Sylheti. I noticed a mismatch between the spoken language and the script I was learning. This couldn't simply be two forms of the same language," Shihab said, adding, "Instead, we should acknowledge that Bangladesh is a culturally diverse country. Just as there are many ethnic languages alongside Bangla, Sylheti is also a separate language."
He also mentioned that it is not like Sylheti people are unaware of this. Everyone knows, but there is a lack of interest in preserving their language and culture, which is unfortunate. However, there are many communities worldwide working to raise awareness.
Shihab connected with some of these communities, like the Greater Sylot Society (GSS) to mention one. That is how his activism for the Sylheti language began.
However, his "activism" is soft and simple. For instance, he creates various posts and content related to the Sylheti language's script on his social media platforms — Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, and others.
On 25 February this year, Wikipedia launched its Sylheti language version, which uses the Nagri script for its articles. It is a significant milestone in the preservation and promotion of the Sylheti language and culture. Currently, the version has 2,249 articles, and has seen contributions from around 50 people so far. Shihab has also been an active part of this project.
However, driven by his genuine and deep interest, he even chose the Sylheti language as his final-year dissertation topic at university.
His research question was: What extent does the 'Sylheti' ethno-linguistic identity diverge from the Bengali or Assamese identity, and how do migration, historical factors, and religious diversity contribute to the contemporary self-definition of being a 'Sylheti' in different regions?
Shihab finds that the Sylheti identity is different from both Bengali and Assamese identities, though influenced by them. This identity is flexible and shaped by a complex interplay of historical events, religious diversity, and migration, which contributes to diverse self-definitions of being Sylheti in various regions.
The contribution of Sylhetis in the Liberation War is significant, with the then Army Chief Mohammad Ataul Gani Osmani being a prime example. As a result, Shihab believes there should be no question about separatism.
"The frustration comes from the fact that, while Sylhetis are proud to be Bangladeshis, Bangladesh has never truly embraced Sylheti culture or granted proper recognition to its distinct language," he remarked.
