◎俞智敏
Bangladesh can justly claim to be a nation born of language, but its status as a cradle of linguistic diversity is under threat from nationalist pride and economic growth.
孟加拉可以名正言順地自稱為是由語言而誕生的國家,但孟加拉身為語言多元化發源地的地位,卻正受到民族驕傲與經濟成長的威脅。
Of the more than 30 recognised languages spoken in Bangladesh, experts say 20 are now on the verge of extinction.
在孟國逾30種獲官方認可的語言中,專家認為有20種正瀕臨滅絕。
Many languages are inherently vulnerable, having no script and relying instead on a rich but fragile oral tradition of folk songs and story telling.
許多語言原本就很容易消失,因為這些語言沒有文字,只能仰賴民謠與說故事等豐富卻脆弱的口語傳統流傳下來。
Bangla, or Bengali, is the undisputed heavyweight in Bangladesh’s linguistic arena, spoken by 95 percent of the population and the sole passport to a decent education and career.
在孟加拉的語言競技場中,孟加拉語毫無疑問地是重量級語言,全國有95%的人口說孟加拉語,這也是通往良好教育和職業的唯一道路。