Research Guide
Surjapuri Language
Research on Surjapuri Language under the initiative of Dept. of Bengali.
Introduction:
The people of Islampur subdivision use the Surjapuri language in their daily lives, a local dialect of Bengali. Locals affectionately refer to this dialect as the ‘deshi’ language. However, even native speakers and students struggle to communicate in standard Bengali.
Objectives of Research:
We discovered that the ‘deshi’ or ‘Surjapuri’ language is relatively unknown to linguists and has not been extensively documented in prominent linguistic texts. Therefore, the Department of Bengali aimed to explore this language. Under the guidance of HOD Mr. Gobardhan Adhikari, a team consisting of Ms. Zinnatun Firdousi and students was formed to cultivate the language. Our primary objectives are to:
- Collect vocabulary
- Analyze syntax and phonemes
- Publish a book with our research findings, benefiting future researchers and the general public
Procedure of Research:
We consulted Dr. Rajib Chakraborty, a linguist from the Society for Natural Language Technology Research, as our guide and supervisor. Ms. Zinnatun Firdousi, the main researcher, is from Chopra Block and will interact with local villagers to gather raw materials, including interviews and word collections from various areas, with the help of students and villagers. The college will bear the project’s expenses, and we may also seek external funding.
Outcome:
Our research project is ongoing, and we have already compiled some vocabulary comparisons with standard Bengali. Upon completion, this research will benefit our students, native speakers, and the linguistics discipline.