Bangla's changing face: slang, tradition, and the need for balance

Exploring the fusion of casual and formal Bangla and why mastering both is essential for success

On Feb 21, a TV channel aired a drama where the protagonist takes a very vocal stand against what is deemed the distortion of the Bangla language.

He is seen working at a media house where most people speak Bangla with words either taken from English or, express their feelings through portmanteau words.

The main character vehemently opposes what he deems vulgarisation of the language and is seen fervently relating to an expat lady superior as to how Bangla was allowed a state language in the face of a mass uprising in 1952 with the sacrifice of precious lives.

Perhaps in our passion to exhibit love for our mother tongue, we often fail to check historical facts.

The then West Pakistan government officially recognised Bangla as a state language not in 1952 but in 1956.

Anyway, this is a minor oversight and the fact remains that whether we sometimes add other words to our language, simply innovate new meanings to old ones, or, come up with something totally unheard of, we love our language.

Come on, that’s what we heard when we were born and when abroad, realise the depth of that love when Bangla is heard amidst a crowd.

Mind you, the person who is using words taken from some other language is actually speaking Bangla, but Bangla which is colloquial.

In a written format, that person will either use proper Bangla or, if in trouble, take the help of a writer or the dictionary.

I do not see that as a major crime. Yes, we must all learn to speak the language properly because it has so many beautiful (read fascinating) words. And I concur, eloquence always turns heads, gets the right attention and, naturally, admiration from everyone, especially the opposite sex.

However, when one is among friends and is letting the guard down, s/he is permitted a little latitude, right?

If acclaimed writer Hasnat Abdul Hye, whose Bangla prose is refined to the point of being sublime, can use Lage Ura Dhura as a book title, we can all relax and enjoy the spice of the language.

Let’s look at it this way, everyone loves the art film with a profound message but there are times too for the provocative item number filled candyfloss masala movie without any meaning. Otherwise, Toofan would not have become such a runaway hit, attracting millions of expat Bangladeshis to shows arranged overseas.

THE ‘PANKHA’ TIME WITH BUDDIES

You are on the roof with pals, the music is playing, the late winter breeze is blowing and someone just placed three plates of puri and singara on Foodpanda. Now you can either use “pankha” or, the language expert may decide to say: “besh uddipona pachchhi!” Hey, both are alright but maybe, you will use the former. What if you hear someone called Jack Daniels is on the way!! Well, you are both “shihorito” or, if I am permitted to say “purai pankha”.

Now at that moment, a phone call from the boss for an urgent work, which (according to his honey soaked voice) will “only take an hour” will be a complete “pera” or, “oshanti”.

You were stuck in the office for a little longer than usual and came to the gym when it was about to close. Of course, the guard or “mama” can keep it open for a half an hour; however, in a stony face he relates the time regulation rules to you.

Mama, stop giving me “fapor” and here is Tk 50, go have some tea and puri and I will be done in a jiffy!

You could have said: “mama jotilota na kore, amake ektu shomoy den!”

Correct and proper indeed but does not it sound a little silly!

I mean mama would think you are on something!

THE ‘OSTHEER’ MOMENT OF LIFE

Ostheer is very much part of our spoken lingo now. Literally, this means restive or volatile. If you are a newspaper reader, the word “rajnoitik ostheerota” or political volatility should not be a new term. But using this to refer to something sensational is a recent phenomenon. As far as I can recall, the term started to be used widely sometime around 2013-2014 to allude to an “extraordinary” experience or something mind-blowing.

Well, from that date on a boat on a cloudy surreal afternoon to being present at the jam-packed concert featuring James to feasting on a whole roasted goat by the forest – the list of “ostheer” experiences is endless. Now you may certainly use, “dudrdanto”, “obisshoronio” or, you how about: “sheirokom, sheirokom”!

However, the usage of “ostheer” is better kept within friends because someone I know found himself in a pickle when he used “ostheer, ostheer” to describe his bride to be, also a BCS cadre officer, to his parents.

LEARN PROPER BANGLA BY ALL MEANS

Having defended the innovative words, one has to say, a little assertively, that while we may enjoy using words which have come to mean something different from their original meaning or, are recent creations, there is no alternative to learning and using correct Bangla. This does not mean one has to begin using “shitatop niontron jontro” or “kedara” instead of AC or sofa. Nor are you required to say “mutho phone” instead of mobile, but let us also know and use a list of standard Bangla words which we can use on formal occasions.

For example, if you are invited to a formal dinner and feel the need to praise your host, then perhaps it would be wise to use “bhai, darun ayojon” instead of “mamma, fataye halaisen”.

At any interview, language proficiency is a key requirement with the interview panel, assessing a candidate on his/her diction, usage of words and speaking style.

This applies to fresh graduates seeking to enter the job market, but more importantly, to senior professionals aspiring to move higher. In fact, for those who are interviewing for a post with more than 20 years-experience, the crucial factor is always the ability to communicate and the capability to use language persuasively.

Whether it’s Bangla or English, the interview panel will have decided, subconsciously, if they found you appealing or not, in the first four minutes. Trust me, 80 percent of that positive impression is made with the language!

So, no harm using the casual terms in a friendly environment but to shine at formal occasions, let’s learn proper Bangla.

After the interview, when buddies ask: “dost kemon hoise?” You can always say, “barood, dost, barood!”

[Towheed Feroze is a former journalist]