Age-graded Language Variation in Rakhine Language

Age-graded Language Variation in Rakhine Language | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Age-graded Language Variation in Rakhine Language Md Tasin Abir, Fariha Alam Chowdhury This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7446595/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study investigates linguistic variation within the Rakhine community in Chattogram, Bangladesh, with a focus on age, exploring how language use shifts across generations. It examines generational differences in language proficiency, domain of use, and attitudes to ward the Rakhine language. The findings reveal a significant generational gap: older speakers demonstrate the highest proficiency in Rakhine and use it across nearly all domains, serving as custodians of traditional linguistic norms. In contrast, younger speakers exhibit greater bilingualism in Rakhine and Bangla, influenced by education, media, and technology. This exposure leads to code-switching, borrowing from Bangla and English, and a reluctance to use Rakhine in formal settings. The adult generation occupies a transitional position, balancing traditional language practices with the demands of a multilingual society. The study concludes that while the family remains a key site for language transmission, the increasing dominance of Bangla in public spheres poses challenges to the long-term vitality of Rakhine. To preserve the language’s heritage and its continued use in formal and public life, institutional support and community-led initiatives are important. Linguistics Sociology Rakhine Language Sociolinguistics Indigenous Communities Bangladesh Language Change Full Text Additional Declarations Ethics Statement: 'This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Institute of Modern Languages, University of Chittagong. Informed consent was obtained from all participants.' The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7446595","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":504826083,"identity":"c6638340-db30-430d-a75b-58e478739e1a","order_by":0,"name":"Md Tasin Abir","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA1UlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYJCCA0DEw8DeAGQaWBBWzgPXwnMApEWCOC0QXRIJIAYRWuzZjz88XFBzR8Z85vOrG34USDDwt3cn4LeFJ8fg8Ixjz3hkbueU3ewBOkzizNkNBByWw3CYh+0wj4R0TtoNHqAWA4lcAlr4nz84zPMPqEXyTNrNP0RpkUgwOMzbBtQiwX7sNnG23HgD1NL3jEeCJ4fttoyBBA9Bv7D3pz/+zPPtjr0E+/FnN9/8sZHjb+/FrwXZQgMwSaxysIUPSFE9CkbBKBgFIwgAAP99Re5lIs5TAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4730-9782","institution":"University of Chittagong","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Md","middleName":"Tasin","lastName":"Abir","suffix":""},{"id":504826084,"identity":"33f5db43-6e29-4bf2-b4ee-7a156e14cffa","order_by":1,"name":"Fariha Alam Chowdhury","email":"","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5371-6356","institution":"University of Chittagong","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Fariha","middleName":"Alam","lastName":"Chowdhury","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-08-24 14:03:13","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":{"humanSubjects":true,"vertebrateSubjects":false,"conflictsOfInterestStatement":false,"humanSubjectEthicalGuidelines":true,"humanSubjectConsent":true,"humanSubjectClinicalTrial":false,"humanSubjectCaseReport":true,"vertebrateSubjectEthicalGuidelines":false},"doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7446595/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7446595/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":89969710,"identity":"8f7d9bb6-8b29-466b-a752-eab874d9dc6b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-27 05:01:44","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":423549,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"AgegradedLanguageVariationinRakhineLanguage.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7446595/v1_covered_f1c2b03b-dc9d-4393-8e15-7138667fc293.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"\u003cp\u003eEthics Statement: 'This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Institute of Modern Languages, University of Chittagong. 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