How embracing multilingualism is vital for Bangladesh’s growth in education, economy, and global influence.

The Emotional Dilemma – Bengali or English 

On a humid afternoon at a bus stop in Dhaka, 17-year-old Nafisa, an HSC candidate from a Bengali-medium school, casually spoke a few words in English with her friend. What followed next was unexpected: a stranger interrupted, accusing her of being “ashamed of her mother tongue.” Nafisa turned red, not from guilt but from confusion and embarrassment.

This scene is far too common in Bangladesh, where a simple act of speaking English in public can stir suspicion, criticism, and even condemnation. The underlying question has haunted generations: Is speaking English a betrayal of our identity? Is it a rejection of our roots?

Such emotions are deeply tied to the country’s historic struggle for linguistic pride, the 1952 Language Movement. That movement gave Bangladesh its soul, its voice. But the debate has evolved. In today’s hyper-connected, globalized world, the necessity of multilingualism has never been more pressing.

Speaking a second language is not a sin. It is not a betrayal. It is a gateway. A gateway to knowledge, to opportunity, and to national development. This Opinion Piece argues that in modern Bangladesh, embracing English does not dilute our Bengali identity; it reinforces it by empowering individuals to compete, collaborate, and create on a global scale.

Stay tuned as we unpack how Bangladesh can grow stronger by removing the stigma around English proficiency, with insights drawn from real stories, research, and societal needs.

The Root of the Resistance – Cultural Pride or Cultural Fear?

To understand why speaking English still sparks controversy in Bangladesh, we must look back to 1952—a year that redefined the nation’s identity. The Language Movement was a defiant cry against the imposition of Urdu by the then-Pakistani regime. The blood of Salam, Rafiq, Barkat, and Jabbar soaked the streets of Dhaka, not for land or power, but for the right to speak Bangla. Language, for Bangladesh, is not merely a communication tool; it is a symbol of liberation, of dignity, and of existence itself.

But that sacred history, while deserving of utmost respect, has sometimes fueled fear rather than pride. In rural and even some urban areas, English is often viewed with suspicion. Parents scold children for using English phrases. Teachers in certain schools penalize students for “showing off.” The scars of colonialism and the fear of linguistic erosion continue to affect the national psyche.

In many households, speaking English is considered an elitist act. In madrasa communities, English is often perceived as an intrusion of Western influence. Meanwhile, in vocational and technical training centers, English is barely prioritized, reinforcing the false narrative that English is only for the privileged.

This stigma is not just cultural—it’s systemic. The education system itself is fragmented. English medium students often gain global fluency but lose touch with Bangla literature and culture. Bengali medium students excel in the national curriculum but struggle with international communication. Madrasa students are largely excluded from both worlds. This dichotomy breeds inequality, not excellence.

The irony is, many of the very people who oppose English in public spheres consume English-language media, depend on English-language manuals, and aspire for English-speaking job markets. It’s a quiet contradiction that speaks volumes.

As linguist Dr. Humayun Azad once noted, “Language is identity, but identity must not become a cage.” Language should empower, not divide.

Global Perspective – Multilingualism is Power

Globally, the nations that have leaned into multilingualism are the ones leaping ahead in innovation, trade, and diplomacy. Take Switzerland, for example—with four national languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansh), it has built one of the most diversified economies in Europe. Singapore, once a struggling nation, turned into an economic powerhouse by embracing English alongside Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil, making it Southeast Asia’s business hub. India, despite internal challenges, sees its multilingualism as a strength—English is a co-official language and plays a central role in its IT and education sectors.

According to a study by the European Commission (2012), multilingual individuals in the EU reported higher employability and income. Meanwhile, a 2019 MIT study confirmed that bilingual individuals demonstrate greater cognitive flexibility, problem-solving ability, and even a delayed onset of Alzheimer’s.

Closer to home, we see these benefits firsthand. Meet Rafiq, a Bangladeshi migrant worker in Dubai who started as a construction laborer. He taught himself English using YouTube and mobile apps. Today, he works as a site manager, earns nearly five times more, and mentors other migrants. Or take Samira, a student from Chittagong who mastered English through online courses. She is now pursuing higher studies in Germany on a DAAD scholarship, breaking socio-economic barriers.

Multilingualism is not just about being able to say “hello” in five different tongues. It’s about access to global knowledge, negotiating international contracts, winning scholarships, interpreting research, and having a voice at the global table.

National Development – What Bangladesh Risks by Staying Monolingual

A country that refuses to adapt linguistically in a global economy risks not just irrelevance but economic stagnation. For Bangladesh, the stakes are high.

In the global outsourcing and freelancing markets, poor English communication has cost Bangladeshi service providers valuable contracts. According to the ICT Division’s BASIS 2023 report, over 30% of Bangladeshi freelancers lose potential projects due to language barriers alone. While India and the Philippines continue to dominate the BPO sector, Bangladesh still struggles to gain similar ground due to inconsistent English fluency.

The economic consequences don’t end there. A World Bank report (2018) highlighted how language barriers limit entrepreneurship in developing countries by reducing investor confidence and access to global supply chains. Similarly, the UNDP noted in a 2021 brief that countries with stronger English proficiency tend to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI), especially in tech, health, and tourism sectors.

Language limitations also stifle knowledge access. In universities and research institutions across Bangladesh, the lack of English proficiency severely hampers the ability of students and researchers to engage with cutting-edge international literature. Many peer-reviewed journals, global conferences, and online databases are accessible only in English. This isolation not only restricts academic growth but also reduces Bangladesh’s visibility on the global research stage.

Healthcare professionals often find themselves unable to consult international treatment protocols or attend English-language training webinars. In the legal sector, clients seeking immigration support or foreign litigation advice are frequently underserved due to weak English skills among local lawyers.

The tech industry, despite being a beacon of promise, is especially vulnerable. English is the default language for programming, tech documentation, APIs, and open-source communities. A monolingual tech team risks falling behind in innovation and global collaboration.

The cost of monolingualism, then, is not just social. It is deeply economic, educational, and intellectual.

Sector-by-Sector Impact in Bangladesh

Education: In classrooms across the country, from city colleges to village schools, English is often treated as a foreign agent, not a facilitator. This narrative hurts students. Knowing English doesn’t make someone less Bengali. It means they can access science lectures from MIT, explore global literature, or publish in top academic journals. Multilingual proficiency doesn’t erase cultural identity; it enhances academic opportunities.

Job Market: Whether it’s an interview at a multinational company, a freelance project for a Canadian client, or a garment factory executive dealing with a European buyer, English is often the bridge or the barrier. According to the British Council (2022), employers across tech, PR, journalism, and manufacturing sectors in Bangladesh prioritize English-speaking skills over GPAs in hiring decisions. It’s not favoritism—it’s functionality.

Migration & Study Abroad: Many Bangladeshi students miss scholarship opportunities or face visa rejections due to poor IELTS or TOEFL scores. Migration hopefuls spend lakhs on agents and paperwork, only to falter at embassy interviews. Fluency in English is often the unspoken prerequisite to global mobility.

Parenting & Schooling: In many Bengali-speaking households, parents fear that encouraging English at home will alienate their children from their cultural roots. The result? Kids struggle with fluency later in school and beyond. As researchers at IED-BRAC point out, early exposure to English through storytelling, conversation, and media can coexist with strong Bengali values.

Healthcare & NGO: International NGOs operating in Bangladesh often require bilingual communication for documentation, fundraising, and field reporting. Similarly, Bangladeshi doctors with limited English face difficulties accessing global medical databases, journals, and training. This creates knowledge gaps that affect patient care and professional development.

In each of these sectors, the verdict is clear: English is not replacing Bengali. It’s reinforcing Bangladesh’s readiness for the world.

Breaking the Binary – Bengali AND English, Not Bengali OR English

The fear that learning English comes at the cost of Bengali is based on a false dichotomy. Linguists call this misunderstanding a failure to embrace “additive bilingualism”—the idea that acquiring a second language enhances rather than replaces the first. Research from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) shows that students who study a second language often develop a deeper understanding of their native tongue and culture.

Bangladesh has its share of role models who prove this daily. Take Tahsan Rahman Khan, a Fulbright Scholar, musician, and university lecturer. Fluent in both Bangla and English, Tahsan seamlessly navigates between global platforms and local roots. His example resonates with youth who aspire to be both culturally grounded and globally fluent.

Multilingual fluency is not a rejection of one’s culture—it’s a reflection of adaptability in a modern world. Researchers at Harvard and Cambridge Universities have consistently highlighted that bilingual individuals often display greater empathy, cross-cultural awareness, and innovation in problem-solving. This has significant implications not just for personal development but for national progress.

Consider the case of Ayman Sadiq and Munzereen Shahid—two of Bangladesh’s most recognizable youth icons. Ayman, founder of 10 Minute School, built a digital education empire by creating content in both Bangla and English, helping millions of students across social and economic classes. His fluency in both languages made his educational outreach relatable locally and respected globally.

Munzereen Shahid, a University of Oxford Scholar, teacher, and author, gained national recognition for empowering students to learn English through culturally relevant methods. Her TED-style talks and YouTube lessons strike a balance between Bangladeshi values and international aspirations, proving that bilingualism is not elitist—it’s essential.

Both Ayman and Munzereen have shown how mastering two languages can break down barriers, open international doors, and still nurture a love for one’s roots.

When bilingualism is embraced, it empowers citizens to write policy in Bangla and publish research in English, to preserve heritage while expanding horizons. That’s not just balance—that’s brilliance in action.

Rethinking Patriotism and Progress

It’s time to stop treating English as a cultural adversary. English is not a threat—it’s a tool. A tool that opens global markets, secures international scholarships, enhances professional confidence, and bridges Bangladesh to the rest of the world.

Instead of shaming young people for using English, we should be training them. National campaigns promoting English as a second language, especially in rural and underserved areas, are critical. Bangladesh can take cues from countries like Rwanda and Vietnam, which successfully rolled out bilingual education initiatives supported by public-private partnerships.

The focus must shift from guilt to growth. Empowering rural and underprivileged students to speak English doesn’t mean stripping away their identity. It means giving them a voice in global forums and equal seats at economic tables. Educational NGOs, tech firms, and policymakers should collaborate to launch inclusive, affordable English language training tailored to local needs and culture.

By reshaping the narrative, Bangladesh can build a generation that treasures its roots while reaching for the stars, confident in both Bangla and English.

Rewriting the Narrative for a Progressive Bangladesh

Let’s return to Nafisa—the student who was shamed for speaking English at a Dhaka bus stop. Imagine her journey in a new Bangladesh: one where her bilingual skills are praised, not policed. One where fluency in English and love for Bangla coexist as strengths, not contradictions.

In this new Bangladesh, Nafisa can dream bigger. She can apply for global scholarships, join international debates, or lead a UN internship while quoting Tagore at her convocation. She doesn’t feel torn—she feels equipped.

As Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus once said, “We are not job seekers. We are job creators.” That vision demands a population fluent not just in ideas but in languages that move markets and minds.

So here’s the question: If your child becomes a global citizen fluent in English, are you proud or ashamed? Because the answer says more about our future than any policy ever will.