Sylheti/Bengali-Assamese script

The utilization of the Bengali-Assamese script for writing Sylheti (syl-Beng) is indicated by anecdotal evidence. Proficiency in Bengali seems to lead some Sylheti speakers to employ the Bengali script when transcribing the Sylheti language. However, it is crucial to note that this practice lacks standardization and formal recognition as a dedicated Sylheti writing system. The absence of standardization raises questions about consistency in written Sylheti in Bengali-Assamese script, emphasizing the need for a recognized script that aligns specifically with the linguistic nuances of the Sylheti language. This insight, derived from the research by Comanaru and D'Ardenne, highlights the complex dynamics of script usage within the Sylheti linguistic community and underscores the importance of further exploration.^[1]

Literacy rate

According to Ethnologue data from 2003, the literacy rates for Sylheti speakers in Bengali are documented as 10% in India and 35% in Bangladesh.^[2]

A Sylheti script conversation table (Sylo-Beng)

Source: See file description.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Bengali script variation (syl-Beng)

হকল মানুস সাধিনভাবে হমান ইজ্জত আর অধিকার লইআ পএদা ‘অএ। তাইনতানর বিবেক আর আকল আছে। এর লাগি হকলর একজনে আরকজনর লগে বিরাদরির মন লইআ আচরন করা উচিত।

Assamese script variation (syl-Beng)

হকল মানুস সাধিনভাবে হমান ইজ্জত আৰ অধিকাৰ লইআ পএদা ‘অএ। তাইনতানৰ বিবেক আৰ আকল আছে। এৰ লাগি হকলৰ একজনে আৰকজনৰ লগে বিৰাদৰিৰ মন লইআ আচৰন কৰা উচিত।

Other variation (syl-Beng)

হখ়ল মানুস সাধিনভাবে হমান ইজ়্জ়ত আর অধিখ়ার লইআ ফ়এদা ‘অএ। তাইনতানর বিবেখ় আর আখ়ল আছে। এর লাগি হখ়লর এখ়জ়নে আরখ়জ়নর লগে বিরাদরির মন লইআ আচরন খ়রা উচিত।

References

↑ Comanaru, Ruxandra; D'Ardenne, Jo (2018). The Development of Research Programme to Translate and Test the Personal well-being Questions in Sylheti and Urdu. pp.16. "Anecdotal evidence suggests that some speakers of Sylheti who are proficient in Bengali may use the Bengali script to write Sylheti; however, this is not standardised nor recognised as a formal Sylheti writing system."
↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20160401121705/http://archive.ethnologue.com/16/show_language.asp?code=syl

[1] Comanaru, Ruxandra; D'Ardenne, Jo (2018). The Development of Research Programme to Translate and Test the Personal well-being Questions in Sylheti and Urdu. pp.16. "Anecdotal evidence suggests that some speakers of Sylheti who are proficient in Bengali may use the Bengali script to write Sylheti; however, this is not standardised nor recognised as a formal Sylheti writing system."

[2] ttps://web.archive.org/web/20160401121705/http://archive.ethnologue.com/16/show_language.asp?code=syl

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