The language issue
In response to the cover story "Preserving Purity" published in the Star Weekend Magazine (on February 22, 2008), I decided to write this letter to convey a few words about this topic. The theme of the cover story was to save the pure Bangla which is now getting mixed up with the informal one. Actually, language, the way of communication, is based upon change, evolutions and development. So, through formal Bangla comes the informal one just like the English not used traditionally in the day-to-day life of the English speaking people. It is not that I am disregarding my own language for which the valiant sons of Bangladesh gave their lives but today's generation wants to have an easy path of conversation through which they can express their everything freely. There is a need for formal Bangla along with the use of the prevalent one.
In addition to this, I strongly protest against the mindset of the media that English medium school students do not give due priority to Bangla. It is a wrong perception because they can write essays, letters, applications or stories in Bangla and have knowledge of Bangla grammar. Most of the schools which follow the curriculum of the University of Cambridge or the London University do not lack in Bangla books and the school authorities put equal emphasis upon English and Bangla. There are a few which do not and they must be taken to task. I think the use of our mother tongue, instead of English, has to be inspired in every school, regardless of its medium. I request all journalists not to aim their pen only at the English medium schools but to dig out the real truth from everywhere.
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