Intergenerational Language Transmission of Urdu in the Bihari Community of Chattogram, Bangladesh

This study investigates the intergenerational transmission of Urdu within the Bihari community of Chattogram, Bangladesh, focusing on patterns of language use, fluency, and literacy across three generations. Using stratified random sampling, data were collected from participants representing older, middle, and younger age groups through interviews and observations. The findings reveal a marked decline in Urdu use among younger generations, with Bangla increasingly becoming the dominant language, particularly in education and public domains. While older participants exhibit strong fluency and literacy in Urdu, younger speakers show limited competence, and literacy skills in Urdu are notably rare. The analysis identifies parental language choice, educational medium of instruction, and societal language dominance as key factors influencing this shift. The study emphasize the urgency of community-based initiatives and policy interventions to preserve Urdu as a heritage language, ensuring its continued relevance in the sociolinguistic fabric of the Bihari community.