<i>Preserving Sino-Burman languages</i>
Photo: Munir uz Zaman / driknews
Chinese is the most dominant amongst the ethnic Mongolian languages in Asia. It is also a language spoken by the highest number of people in the world. There are about 30 different Mongolian Sino-Burman languages spoken by the Adivasi or indigenous people of this country, but their condition is pitiable. It is said that the Garo language of Bangladesh is very closer to the Chinese language. This language is on the verge of extinction due to the dominance of Bangla. The new generation of children usually doesn't speak or know their mother language, as their parents don't speak the language any more. The Chakma and Hajong languages have already lost their original form due to strong infusion of Bangla language. The language of the Rajbangsis has almost lost its Siro-Burman character and become a dialect of Bangla. China as a leading Mongolian nation can help in establishing an Adivasi or indigenous language institute in Bangladesh, preferably in Dhaka, which may help in preserving and developing the indigenous languages of this country with special emphasis on Sino-Burman languages.
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