The
Rohingya ethnic group, primarily residing in the Rakhine state of Myanmar with a significant population in Bangladesh, does indeed have a
written language. This post delves deeper into the
evolution,
structure, and
utilization of the Rohingya language.
The Evolution of the Rohingya Language
Initially, the Rohingya relied on a
spoken language handed down through generations. However, due to the need for a
written format to preserve and communicate their culture and history better, they began to utilize various
scripts such as Arabic, Urdu, Hanifi, and more recently, a
Latin-based script.
Structure of the Rohingya Language
Rohingya language, also known as
Rohingyalish, can be categorized into three
dialects - the
Mog dialect, the
Chittagonian dialect, and the
Teknaf dialect, each with distinctive
phonetics,
semantics, and
sentence structure. The demand for a
structured written language led to the development of Rohingyalish in the 1980s. This Latin-based script was not only simpler for the Rohingyas to learn and use, it also facilitated their interaction with international entities.
Utilization and Promotion of the Rohingya Language
Despite being a
minority language, the
usage of Rohingyalish has increased significantly, thanks to various efforts made to promote it as the
standard written form. Various
translation and educational initiatives,
newspapers, and
online platforms (including the
World Rohingya Organization's website) have been employing this script to raise awareness globally about the
Rohingya crisis. This has also validated the Rohingyas’ collective identity and helped protect their
linguistic heritage.
In conclusion, despite facing various hurdles, the Rohingyas' determination has led to the evolution and
survival of their unique written language - a powerful tool in preserving their culture and enabling international communication.