How to Learn Bangla or Bengali - The Only Guide You'll Need
Learn Bangla or Bengali in the most easy and effective way. This guide is for all of you who wish to get started with Bangla from scratch.
Brief Insight into Bangla
Bangla, or Bengali as it is called in English, is the official mother tongue of Bangladesh. This language is commonly spoken in Bangladesh, West Bengal of India, some parts of Africa and many more. It ranks as the 7th most commonly spoken language in the world. Some even claim Bangla to be the sweetest language in the world due to the innate love imbued in the language for everyone. It is also a language with a history of revolution, the love for this language has led to the independence of Bangladesh in 1971.
Bangla is one of the easiest languages to learn but can be a bit tough without proper guidance. It is a bit different from English with its grammar and pronunciation, but once the initial hurdle is crossed, it becomes a language easy to grasp and implement. With its linguistic elegance, cultural richness, literary prowess and warmth, Bangla is truly a unique language. Its ability to evoke emotion, express beauty, and foster connections between people is unparalleled.
How to Get Started with Bangla
There are two ways you can get started with learning Bangla:
- Self-Study
- Bangla Language Courses
This guide will primarily focus on how to get ready for Self-Studying. If you feel like you require help from some of the best curated resources for studying Bangla, the best teachers, and a welcoming community for all, check out our Adult or Children Courses! We also offer courses on the Sylheti Dialect and Bangladesh Studies which covers the history of Bangladesh.
How to Get Started?
How do I learn Bangla? Where do I actually get started? What should I focus on? Where should I start?
The basic structure should be like this:
- Alphabets
- Words
- Grammar
- Sentence Formation
Alphabets
Like any language, to learn Bangla, the first thing you should learn are the Alphabets. Bangla Alphabets are easy to remember and easy to implement as well. There are two types of Alphabets:
- স্বরবর্ণ (Shoroborno)
- ব্যঞ্জনবর্ণ (Banjonborno)
Memorize both of them and you’ll be golden.
Words
Next, learn specific words and how to spell them. Learn words that relate to a specific context that you’re trying to understand. There are many difficult words but most Bengalis converse in the easiest version of it. Learn its pronunciation and what they use to spell it. It’s completely fine if you don’t understand it at first, it will start to make more sense to you after you delve into grammar.
Grammar
This is the toughest part of Bangla. Bangla grammar is a bit different from the other languages of the world. If we are to become a master of it, it’ll take ages. Thankfully, we don’t have to be masters of it. Basic grammar of Bangla will take you very far. Conversations can be pulled off with basic grammar but spellings will be difficult without further study into it.
Sentence Formation
So now you know the alphabets, a few words and the grammar associated with it. Try forming sentences! The sentence structure is a bit different to English where we use “Subject+Object+Verb” to form sentences. Take help from friends or online media to check if your sentences are correct. Google Translate can help but make sure to take it with a grain of salt as it isn’t as well versed in Bangla itself. Take help from reddit, youtube, resources etc. Some of them have been listed below for you to use.
After a while you’ll have to use the knowledge gained from all four to get yourself fluent in the language.
How to Self-Study?
The internet is a blessing for tasks like these. With the vast amount of resources available, learning Bangla is just as easy as any other language. Below are some of the best resources available to get started with self-studying:
Materials
This is a Bangla learning Instruction Material compilation by the University of Chicago. It contains many resources for anyone to get started. It also contains materials for anyone looking to purchase or read different materials online. The resources here will help you learn the alphabets and its pronunciation as well as help to guide you towards a more critical grasp of the language.
Youtube
There are many youtube channels dedicated to teaching Bangla to everyone. A simple search will lead to many resources you can utilize. A channel we would like to highlight is Learn Bengali by Big Z. This Youtube channel is for learning words in a specific context and will help you understand which words are best suited for an occasion. Big Z does a very good job of making it casual and fun for all.
Reddit is one of the best resources for learning Bangla. With a lot of subreddits dedicated to Bengalis, you can find help from everyone in the world. Utilizing reddit will even help you find a study partner to learn with! The subreddits r/bengalilanguage and r/languagelearning are the best to get you started. They contain a lot of resources and community posts that will help you in your journey.
Movies
A lot of movies contain Bangla subtitles with them. Pick a movie and search online for any subtitles available for them in Bangla. Many Bangla dubbed movies are available on Youtube as well! They are a great way to understand how a conversation in Bangla is carried and the flow of it.
Conclusion
So now you have a basic idea of how you should approach learning Bangla. Take as much time as you need because learning a language is no easy task. It takes hard work and dedication. Make sure to stick to it and don’t give up, you’ll start speaking and understanding Bangla in no time.
As always, Bangla Institute is here to help you on your journey with Bangla. With our curated curriculum and dedicated teachers, we make Bangla easy for you to learn no matter your age or background. All our courses are conducted in a one-on one basis so you get the best personally curated experience! The best part? Learn Bangla from the convenience of your home and schedule! Check out our Adult Reading & Writing, Speaking & Listening as well as Children Reading & Writing plus Speaking & Listening courses, we even offer a special Sylheti dialect course for anyone wishing to learn that specific niche. We even offer a course on Bangladesh Studies as we go more into the History and Culture of Bangladesh and its people. So what are you waiting for! The Bangla Language awaits you! Subscribe to our newsletter for updates!