DHAKA: Linguists and academics at a colloquium Thursday suggested close ties among the Bengali language researchers working worldwide for the development of the language as well as Bengali grammar.

They made the observation at a colloquium on New Bengali Grammar at the Modern Language Institute (MLI) of Dhaka University with Professor Anisuzzaman in the chair.

 The institute organized the meet to discuss a new Bengali grammar named ‘Bengali: A Comprehensive Grammar’ by a German-born British named Dr Hannee-Ruth Thomson.

“Bengali is a complex language. Development of the language is not possible by a single hand so we should develop close ties among the Bengali language researchers working worldwide,” said Professor Abul Mansur Muhammad Abu Musa.

About writing Bengali grammar by a non-Bengali Dr Hannee-Ruth Thomson said, “I have decided to write the book as there is no such book to help foreign students in learning the Bengali language.”

“Bengali langue is not only your asset. We have right to contribute here,” she added.

Prof Anisuzzaman said the grammar would be very helpful to foreign language learners as well as the native learners.

Professor Maniruzzaman said a language is not complete at all and it is always changing. So everyone has a chance to contribute here.

The grammar is a most elaborate English version of Bengali grammar after the partition of India in 1947.

Professor Rafiqul Islam and Professor Niranjan Adhikary also spoke, among others.

BDST: 1406 HRS, SEPT 16, 2010