The Forgotten Languages of Bangladesh

Illustration: Manan Morshed

Every year we celebrate International Mother Language Day with much pomp and ceremony. However, in the very heart of Bangladesh, the mother languages of the indigenous communities have become victims of politico-cultural authoritarianism. With the increasing cultural dominance and lack of preservation effort, many of these rich languages are on the edge of total obliteration. This week, the Star Weekend goes on a bicycle ride with Rubayet Hossain, a cyclist who rides in and through the districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the home of numerous indigenous communities, to learn about how these rich languages and cultures are being wiped out.

To know more, check out this week's spotlight