The
Bengali alphabet is derived from the
Brahmi alphabet. It is also closely related to the Devanagari
alphabet, from which it started to diverge in the 11th Century AD.
The current printed form of Bengali alphabet first appeared in 1778
when Charles Wilkins developed printing in Bengali. A few archaic
letters were modernised during the 19th century.
Bengali has two literary styles: one is called Sadhubhasa (elegant
language) and the other Chaltibhasa (current language). The former
is the traditional literary style based on Middle Bengali of the
sixteenth century, while the later is a 20th century creation and is
based on the speech of educated people in Calcutta. The differences
between the two styles are not huge and involve mainly forms of
pronouns and verb conjugations.
Some people prefer to call this alphabet the Eastern Nagari script
or Eastern Neo-Brahmic script
The Bengali alphabet is a syllabic alphabet in which consonants all
have an inherent vowel which has two different pronunciations, the
choice of which is not always easy to determine and which is
sometimes not pronounced at all.
Vowels can be written as independent letters, or by using a variety
of diacritical marks which are written above, below, before or after
the consonant they belong to.
When consonants occur together in clusters, special conjunct letters
are used. The letters for the consonants other than the final one in
the group are reduced. The inherent vowel only applies to the final
consonant.
Used to write:
Bengali, an eastern Indo-Aryan language with around 211 million
speakers in Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal and also in
Malawi, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Australia, the UAE, UK and
USA.
Level I: Communicative Bengali:
Course structure
This level covers basic vocabulary of Bengali and its sound system.
This also covers with required grammar for converse. We train them
how to communicate with short senesces in the beginning and continue
with complex sentences. This makes you to understand how to speak
with common people. We use audio and video along with text
materials. This gives more familiarity with the daily usage, correct
pronunciation and behavior of local people and the language.
The language is used extensively in class during discussions and
role- playing. This helps students to improve their fluency and
speak correctly.
Other highlights include questions on comprehension of simple texts,
descriptions from day to day life situations, simulated dialogues.
On course completion the student will be able to;
comprehend the spoken language from vocabulary used in text.
Understand the language at a specific level. Recognize correct sound
patterns. Grammatical terms studied. They will also know the
cultural elements of the Bengali society. Carry on a conversation
within the framework of the vocabulary studied.
Duration: Two months.
Level II: Reading, Writing and Speaking:
Course structure
This level covers with vocabulary of the language and its sound
system. Functions like understanding, speaking, Reading, and Writing
are taught. Written comprehension audio and video are also used to
train this language. Conversations, discussion, essays writing will
be key points of training. Students are made familiar with the Read,
write and speak accurately.
The training includes comprehension of simple texts, descriptions
from day to day life situations, proper dialogues and role playing.
Use and understand the language and the vocabulary text. Speak, read
and write.
On completion of the course student will be able to;
comprehend the spoken language from vocabulary used in text. Read,
write and understand the language at a specific level. Recognize
correct sound patterns and translate from English to Bengali while
demonstrating grammatical skill, write exercises etc.., Know
cultural elements of the Bengali society. Carry on a conversation
within the framework of the vocabulary studied.
Duration: Two and a half months.
Basic Phrases
