SIL Bangladesh

Orthography

Nowadays, people from minority language groups feel strongly about their language in written form.  Through written language they can preserve their history, culture, tradition and their different identities for the next generation. Furthermore, the Bangladesh Government also has a policy of supporting Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education (MLE). For that reason, there is a dire necessity for having written forms of minority languages. SIL Bangladesh also works alongside communities who want to write down their language for the first time or modify the existing writing system. SIL also provides information and technical support so that communities can make their own decisions about the script and work out their spelling rules.

In 2003, SIL worked with the Monipuri Bishnupriya language group to modify the existing writing. A spelling guide was developed using  the Bangla script. Multilingual teaching learning materials were developed and are currently being widely used by the community for different purposes and in seven mother-tongue schools.  

The Mahle script and spelling system was developed and finalized in April 2006. They adapted the Roman script to represent their language. Community people took part in the process and many mother-tongue teaching and learning materials were developed.

In 2009, both the Kol and Koda communities started to write down their mother tongues. The Koda community has written over 100 stories for their mother tongue preschool. In 2011, the first draft of a spelling guide was completed by the Kol community and many books were printed for mother-tongue schools. With SIL’s technical support the Koda community has adapted the Bangla alphabet to represent their language's sounds and both communities have developed spelling rules so that people can learn to read and write easily in their mother tongue. 

In 2012, SIL’s language and Education team worked with the Koch community. They adapted the Bangla alphabet for their language and also developed spelling rules so people can learn to read and write easily in their mother tongue.

The Koch (Tintekia dialect) community in Sherpur district uses their language widely in their everyday life. However, it wasn't until 2011 that it was written down in Bangladesh. In 2012, SIL’s Language and Education team worked with the Koch people to adapt the Bangla alphabet. Spelling rules and mother tongue teaching learning materials were developed at this time.

The Hajong community also chose the Bangla script and developed mother-tongue teaching and learning materials for their children.

In 2008, an orthography consultancy event was led by SIL to choose scripts of the Chittagong Hills Tract. Where Roman orthography was accepted in Bawm, Khyang and Tripura (Kok Borok and Usoi) communities, Burmese-based orthographies have been accepted by Marma, Mro- Krama orthography, Tanchangya & Chakma – Burmesed based.