Tribute
Scholar lost to time . . .
A year ago this month, we lost Dr. Jahangir Tareque, a well-known teacher, linguist, literattéur and translator. He was a professor at the Institute of Modern Languages, University of Dhaka. At the time of his death he was living in accommodation to which he had shifted from his university quarters where he had lived for many years with his family, comprising his wife, a son and two daughters. Born on 30 June 1943, Jahangir Tareque cannot be said to have lived a life of full maturity and accomplishment. But death doesn't care a straw for such a state of unfulfilled dreams and desires. It suddenly swoops on its destined victim and snatches him away from his near and dear ones, friends, fellow travellers along the path of life and dear disciples, who are left behind to mourn and moan for him by recalling his memories, the qualities of his head and heart and both the sweet and sour hours in his association. Jahangir Tareque was a man who cannot be forgotten so easily. Jahangir Tareque was a reputed scholar in his own right. He was a pundit from all points of consideration. He had his MA degree in Bengali from the University of Dhaka in 1964. For further studies he responded to the call of the very famous centre of culture and learning in France --- he obtained MA in French from Universite de la Sorbonne - Nouvelle, Paris, in 1971; MA in English from Universite de Paris IV in 1973 and Doctorat de troisieme cycle, Universite de la Sorbonne- Nouvelle, Comparative Literature Paris III in 1976. What commendable academic feats did he display! Added to these were his research fellowships and advanced training which added lustre to his scholarship. Tareque was a prolific author whose list of publications is wide-ranging. Among these are translations, original works and research papers. Mention may be made of Samajik Sankate Vijnaner Bhumika (Can Science Save Us? by George A. Lundberg), Bengali translation, Dhaka, 1967; Karigar Vidyar Dishari (Trail Blazers of Technology by Harland Manchester) translation, Dhaka, 1988; Shabdartha - Vijnaer Mulsutra (Principles of Semantics), by Stephen Ullman, Bengali translation, Bangla Academy, 1993; Madam Bovary (translation), Bangla Academy, 1997; Kazi Nazrul Islam : Poems Choisis (French); Kazi Nazrul Islam : Poemi scelti (Nazrul Institute), Dhaka, 2001; Kazi Nazrul Islam : Peomas elegidos (Spanish), Nazrul Institute, Dhaka, 2002; Kazi Nazrul Islam : Chansons (French) Nazrul Institute, 2003; Methods of Language Teaching, Open University, 2001; Symbolist Literature, Bangla Academy, Dhaka, 1988; Sabdatha Vijnaner Bhumika (Introduction to Semantics), Bangla Academy, Dhaka, 1997. This short list has shown that his knowledge of European languages was remarkably considerable. Indeed his proficiency included thirteen languages, and these are, apart from his mother language, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Latin and Dutch. I think no other Bangladeshi scholar has achieved such a success in acquiring knowledge of such a big number of languages. This acquisition enabled him to help all those friends and scholars who had to deal with any particular European or other languages. I am greatly indebted to him for acquainting me with the pronunciation and meaning of many European words when I was translating some works containing European terms. Dr. Jahangir Tareque had a chequered teaching career. He first started teaching as a lecturer in English and Bengali at Jhenaidah Cadet College. Then he joined Chittagong Government College as professor of Bengali. This was followed by his joining, in 1980, the Institute of Modern Languages, University of Dhaka, as associate professor and director. In 1988 he became a professor at this Institute. It is a matter of considerable pride on the part of all his well-wishers that from the beginning to the end of his career he was a very ardent, diligent, successful and popular teacher, a fact which was also a source of encouragement and pleasure for him. He used to enjoy his profession and shared his thoughts with his colleagues. Of a very amiable disposition, he was very honest and sincere, candid and sociable, easily approachable and always made a very pleasant and memorable impression on all he met and talked with. As a good friend I always miss him. His family members miss him deeply and his friends remember him with unmixed feelings of love. May Allah bless his soul in Heaven!
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