Tracing Linguistic Evolution: Language Contact between English, Bengali, and Other Languages Across Three Phases in Bangladesh and its Place in World Englishes

The article examines the historical development of language contact in Bangladesh. It focuses on how Bengali, English,and other regional languages interact. The article is bifurcated into three stages namely, the colonial period (1853-1947), the post-colonial period (1947-1971),and the post-liberation age following Bangladesh’s independence (1971 onwards). Significant cultural and socio-political shifts were brought about by each period. The study demonstrates how these stages contributed tothe development of a regional form of English. The development of this variation coincided with the dominance of Bengali in a bilingual and multilingual setting. The article makes use of the World Englishes framework to comprehend these changes. It draws attention to Bangladeshi English’s distinctive linguistic developments. The historical and sociolinguistic background of the nation is reflected in these characteristics. The study also demonstrates how English has maintained its global significance while adapting to local demands. Moreover, the article captures the development of English in Bangladesh by combining historical periods with the idea of World Englishes. Finally, it highlights howseveral eras have influenced a unique language landscape.