Factors of language shift from chakma to bengali: A study on the Chakma-speaking people

Abstract

Language shift has become a common phenomenon in the countries where there is more than one speech community. In such countries the dominant language gradually engulfs the minor languages. As Bangladesh comprises different indigenous communities who have different speech varieties, language shift has been taking place. This study focuses on the Chakma-speaking people and explores the factors of their language shift from Chakma to Bengali. At the same time, this study investigates the influence of age of the Chakma people on the psychology involved in speaking Bengali. In order to investigate the related issues a survey was conducted. Data was collected from 30Chakma-speaking participants living in Dhaka. The paper concludes with some possible steps which can preserve the Chakma language as well as the Chakma culture.