Bangladesh

Extensive List of Languages of Bangladesh: Spoken and Extinct Languages

Assamese
[asm] 9,000 in Bangladesh. Alternate names: Asambe, Asami, Ahomiyo. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

A’tong
[aot] 5,400 in Bangladesh. Northern Netrokona District. Alternate names: Attong. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Koch

Bengali
[ben] 110,000,000 in Bangladesh (2001 census). 250,000,000 including L2 speakers. Population total all countries: 181,272,900. West. Also in Canada, India, Malawi, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States. Alternate names: Banga-Bhasa, Bangala, Bangla. Dialects: Languages or dialects in the Bengali group according to Grierson: Central (Standard) Bengali, Western Bengali (Kharia Thar, Mal Paharia, Saraki), Southwestern Bengali, Northern Bengali (Koch, Siripuria), Rajbanshi, Bahe, Eastern Bengali (East Central, including Sylheti), Haijong, Southeastern Bengali (Chakma), Ganda, Vanga, Chittagonian (possible dialect of Southeastern Bengali). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

Bihari
[urd] 250,000 in Bangladesh (2003 SIL). Mainly refugee camps in 13 districts. Alternate names: Urdu. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Western Hindi, Hindustani

Bishnupriya
[bpy] 40,000 in Bangladesh (2003). 1% monolingual. Sylhet Division, Moulvibazar District; southern Habiganj District, Sylhet City, 1 village; Sunamganj District, 2 villages. Alternate names: Bishnupria, Bishnupuriya, Bisna Puriya. Dialects: Rajar Gang, Madai Gang. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

Burmese
[mya] 300,000 in Bangladesh (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Myanmar border area. Alternate names: Bama, Bamachaka, Myen. Dialects: Bomang. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Lolo-Burmese, Burmish, Southern

Chak
[ckh] 5,500 in Bangladesh (2002). Arakan Blue Mountains, Baishari, Bandarban, south Naikhongchari area, Bishar Chokpra. Alternate names: Sak, Tsak. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jinghpo-Konyak-Bodo, Jinghpo-Luish, Luish

Chakma
[ccp] 150,000 in Bangladesh (2007). Population total all countries: 550,000. Southeast, Chittagong Hills area, and Chittagong City. Also in India. Alternate names: Sangma, Sakma, Takam. Dialects: Chakma of India [ccp] understood with difficulty. Lexical similarity: 58%–67% with Tanchangya [tnv]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

Chin, Asho
[csh] 2,340 in Bangladesh (1991 census). Bandarban, Chittagong, and Rangamati districts. Alternate names: Khyang, Khyeng, Qin, Sho, Shoa. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Southern, Sho

Chin, Bawm
[bgr] 13,500 in Bangladesh (1991 census). Chittagong Hills. Alternate names: Bawm, Bawn, Bawng, Bom. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Central

Chin, Falam
[cfm] Alternate names: Falam, Fallam, Halam, Hallam Chin. Dialects: Chorei, Zanniat. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Northern

Chin, Haka
[cnh] 1,260 in Bangladesh (2000). Alternate names: Baungshe, Haka, Lai. Dialects: Klangklang (Thlantlang), Zokhua, Shonshe. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Central

Chin, Khumi
[cnk] 2,090 in Bangladesh. Bandarban District, Thanchi, Ruma, and Rowanchari subdistricts. Alternate names: Kami, Khami, Khumi, Khuni, Khweymi, Kumi. Dialects: Khimi, Yindi (Yindu), Khami. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Southern, Khumi

Chittagonian
[ctg] 13,000,000 (2006 SIL). Chittagong region. Alternate names: Chatgaiyan Buli, Chatgaya, Chittagonian Bengali. Dialects: Not inherently intelligible with Bengali [ben], although considered a nonstandard Bengali dialect. Dialects form a contiuum from north to south, with a larger religious distinction between Muslim and others. Rohingya in Myanmar is similar to the southern dialect of Chittagonian. Lexical similarity: 43%–64% with Bangla [ben]. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

Garo
[grt] 120,000 in Bangladesh (2005). Mymensingh plains, Tangail Sherpur, Madhupur, Jamelpur, Netrakona, Sylhet, Dhaka. Alternate names: Garrow, Mande, Mandi. Dialects: Abeng, Achik, Brak, Chibok, Dual. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Garo

Hajong
[haj] 8,000 in Bangladesh (2005). Dhaka Division, Rangpur District east to Sunamganj District. Alternate names: Hajang. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

Indian Sign Language
[ins] Classification: Deaf sign language

Khasi
[kha] Very few speakers. Alternate names: Cossyah, Kahasi, Khasie, Khasiyas, Khassee, Khuchia, Kyi. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Northern Mon-Khmer, Khasian

Koch
[kdq] 6,000 in Bangladesh (2006 SIL). Alternate names: Koc, Kocch, Koce, Kochboli, Konch. Dialects: Tintekiya, Chapra. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Koch

Koda
[cdz] 1,300 in Bangladesh (2005). Population total all countries: 1,600. Rajshahi Division, Puthia and Mundumala areas. Also in India. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 49%–55% with Santali [sat]; 61%–67% with Mundari [unr], 57%–60% with Kol [biw]; wordlist contained 19% Bengali [ben] words. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Munda, North Munda, Kherwari, Mundari

Kok Borok
[trp] 5,000 in Bangladesh. Alternate names: Debbarma, Tipura, Tripura, Tripuri. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Bodo

Kurux
[kru] 40,000 in Bangladesh, decreasing. Ethnic population: 50,000. Alternate names: Kurukh, Oraoan, Uraon. Classification: Dravidian, Northern

Marma
[rmz] 150,000 in Bangladesh (2007). Population total all countries: 166,500. Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachari districts. Also in India. Alternate names: “Mogh”. Dialects: Related to Rakhine [rki]. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Lolo-Burmese, Burmish, Southern

Megam
[mef] 6,870 (2000). Netrokona District, Kalmakanda Subdistrict. Alternate names: Migam, Negam. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 7%–9% with Abeng [grt], 60% with Lyngngam [lyg]. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Garo

Meitei
[mni] 15,000 in Bangladesh (2003). 2% monolingual. Sylhet District, Moulvi Bazar District (Kamalganj Subdistrict) and Sylhet City. Alternate names: Kathe, Kathi, Manipuri, Meetei, Meiteiron, Meithe, Meithei, Mitei, Mithe, Ponna. Dialects: Hindu Meitei, Pangan (Pangal). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Meitei

Mizo
[lus] 250 in Bangladesh (1991 census). Rangamati, Sajek. Alternate names: Hualngo, Lei, Lusai, Lushai, Lushei, Sailau, Whelngo. Dialects: Ralte, Dulien, Ngente, Mizo, Le. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Central

Mru
[mro] 30,000 in Bangladesh (2007). Population total all countries: 51,230. Bandarban District. Also in India, Myanmar. Alternate names: Maru, Mrung, Murung. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 13% with Mro Chin [emr]. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Mru

Mundari
[unr] 2,500 in Bangladesh (2005 Caritas). Ethnic population: 5,000. Rajshahi Division, Dinajpur and Naogaon districts; Sylhet Division, various tea estates. Alternate names: Colh, Horo, Mandari, Mondari, Munari, Munda. Dialects: Hasada’, Latar, Naguri, Kera’. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Munda, North Munda, Kherwari, Mundari

Pangkhua
[pkh] 2,500 in Bangladesh (2007). Population total all countries: 2,730. Rangamati Dustrict. Also in India, Myanmar. Alternate names: Pangkhu, Pankho, Panko, Pankhu. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Kuki-Chin-Naga, Kuki-Chin, Central

Pnar
[pbv] 4,000 in Bangladesh (2002). Northeast along India border; Sylhet Division, Sylhet District, near Jaflong, Tamabil, Jaintiapur, and north of Raipur; Moulavi Bazar District, near Fenchuganj, Madhabkunda, Barlekha, Goalbari, Fultala, Alinagar, Islampur, Khajori, Rashidpur, Satgoan, and Kamalganj. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Northern Mon-Khmer, Khasian

Rakhine
[rki] 35,000 in Bangladesh (2007). Cox’s Bazaar, Patuakhali, and Barguna districts. Alternate names: Rakhain, Rakkhaine, Mogh. Dialects: Rakhine, Sitwe. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Lolo-Burmese, Burmish, Southern

Rangpuri
[rkt] 10,000,000 in Bangladesh (2007). Population total all countries: 15,000,000. Rajshahi Division north from Bogra, also known as the greater Dinajpur and Rangpur areas, now subdivided into Rangpur, Lalmonihat, Nilphamari, Gaibanda, Panchagar, Thakurgaon, and Dinajpur districts. Also in India. Alternate names: Bahe Bangla, Anchalit Bangla, Kamta, Polia. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

Riang
[ria] 500 in Bangladesh (2007). Rangamati District. Alternate names: Kau Bru, Reang. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Bodo

Rohingya
[rhg] 200,000 in Bangladesh (2006). Cox’s Bazaar District. Alternate names: Rohinga, Rohinja. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

Sadri, Oraon
[sdr] 166,000 (2000). Throughout Rajshahi Division; Sylhet Division, Moulvibazar and Habiganj districts; Khulna Division, Jhenaidah District (Jhenaidah Subdistrict, Moheshpur Subdistrict), Kushtia District (Mirpur Subdistrict), Magura District (Magura Subdistrict). Dialects: Borail Sadri, Nurpur Sadri, Uchai Sadri, Mokkan Tila Sadri. Dialects may need separate literature. Inherent intelligibility of 7 Sadri varieties on Borail ranges from 70%–93%; of 8 varieties on Nurpur from 78%–94%. Lexical similarity: of 14 Sadri varieties with the Borail Sadri dialect ranges from 88%–97%. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bihari

Santali
[sat] 157,000 in Bangladesh (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Alternate names: Har, Hor, Sandal, Sangtal, Santal, Santhali, Satar, Sonthal. Dialects: Santali, Mahali (Mahle). Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Munda, North Munda, Kherwari, Santali

Sauria Paharia
[mjt] 7,000 in Bangladesh (2007). Alternate names: Malto, Paharia. Classification: Dravidian, Northern

Sylheti
[syl] 7,000,000 in Bangladesh. Population total all countries: 10,300,000. Districts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Habiganj, Moulvibazar. Also in Australia, Canada, India, Italy, Malaysia (Peninsular), Myanmar, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States. Alternate names: Sileti, Siloti, Sylhetti, Sylhetti Bangla, Syloti, Syloty, Srihattia. Dialects: Similar to Bengali [ben], Assamese [asm]. Lexical similarity: 70% with Bengali. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

Tangchangya
[tnv] 21,600 (1991 census). Chittagong Hills. Alternate names: Tanchangya. Dialects: 90% intelligibility of Chakma [ccp]. Lexical similarity: 58%–67% with Chakma. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese

Tippera
[tpe] 85,000. Chittagong Hills, Khagrachari District, Chittagong District, Fatikchari Subdistrict. Alternate names: Kok Borok, Tipperah, Tippurah, Tipra, Tipura, Triperah, Tripura. Dialects: Naitong, Dendak, Gabing, Khali, Phatung, Tongpai, Anok, Kewa, Kema, Aslong. 36 dialects. Lexical similarity: 56%–85% between dialects, 61%–74% with Kok Borok [trp], 53%–65% with Riang [ria], 37%–59% with Usoi Tripura [usi]. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Bodo

Usoi
[usi] 22,400. Bandarban District. Alternate names: Kau Brung, Tippera, Tripura, Unshoi, Unsuiy, Ushoi. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 88% between Panji and Joloi dialects, 59%–67% with Riang [ria], 47%–58% with Kok Borok [trp], 37%–59% with Tippera [tpe]. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Bodo

War-Jaintia
[aml] 16,000 in Bangladesh (2003 SIL). 25% monolingual. Population total all countries: 28,000. Northeast along India border; Sylhet Division, Sylhet District, near Jaflong, Tamabil, Jaintiapur, and north of Raipur; Moulavi Bazar District, near Fenchuganj, Madhabkunda, Barlekha, Goalbari, Fultala, Alinagar, Islampur, Khajori, Rashidpur, Satgoan and Kamalganj. Also in India. Dialects: War-Jaintia, War-Khasi. Not intelligible with Lyngngam [kha], Khasi War [aml] or Jowai, partially intelligible with Synteng [pbv], Standard Khasi [kha] 55% (acquired); sufficient to understand complex and abstract discourse with War-Jaintia in India. Lexical similarity: 86%–92% between dialects in Bangladesh; 83%–89% between War-Jaintia in India and Bangladesh; India variety 41%–45% with Pnar [pbv] (from scant data); 27%–35% with standard Khasi [kha]; 24%–28% with War dialect of Khasi. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Mon-Khmer, Northern Mon-Khmer, Khasian

:: Reference ::

Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com/