Sylheti/Slang

Chapter 1: Basics of Sylheti Slang

The origins and history of Sylheti slang

The slang likely emerged organically within the community, influenced by the local Pakrit linguistic roots, conservative cultural values, and an ethnocentric perspective, reflecting the expressions of the Sylheti people in informal and social settings.

The role of slang in Sylheti culture

Chapter 2: Common Sylheti Slang Expressions

List of common slang words and phrases used in Sylheti

Sylheti	Pronunciation	Literally	Meaning
ꠛꠤꠐꠤꠡ	biʈiʃ	British	cunning
ꠌꠥꠔꠤꠀ	sʊt̪ia	Chutia	dodgy

Examples of how these expressions are used in everyday conversations

Audio pronunciations

Chapter 3: Regional Variations

Regional variations in Sylheti slang within different areas of Sylhet and among the diaspora

Barak Valley

Sylheti	Pronunciation	Literally	Meaning
ꠖꠦꠡꠤ ꠇꠥꠔ꠆ꠔꠣꠞ ꠛꠤꠟꠦꠔꠤ ꠒꠣꠇ	d̪ɛʃi kʊt̪t̪aɾ bilɛt̪i d̪ax	local dog's London style voice	country dog with a foreign bark.^[1]
ꠇꠦꠟꠥ	xɛlʊ	Kalkatian or Kalkata speech	Sylhetis who speaks Bengali with another Sylheti.^[1]
ꠇꠂꠟꠇꠣꠔꠤ	xɔilxat̪i	Kalkatian or Kalkata speech	Sylhetis who speaks Bengali with another Sylheti.^[1]

The slang may differ in urban and rural settings

Chapter 4: Sylheti Slang in Pop Culture

Sylheti slang has influenced Sylheti music, films, and literature

Examples of songs, movies, or books that incorporate Sylheti slang

Chapter 5: Usage

When and where to use Sylheti slang

Situations where slang may not be suitable

Sylheti slang is best suited for casual and informal settings, like when you're hanging out with close friends or family. Situations where Sylheti slang may not be suitable:

Sylheti	Pronunciation	Notes
ꠇꠥꠐꠥꠝ ꠛꠣꠠꠤ	kʊʈʊm baɾi	Sylheti relative's place. Avoid using Sylheti slang when visiting relatives in Sylhet.

Any potential offensive or disrespectful terms to avoid

Sylheti	Pronunciation	Literally	Meaning
ꠢꠣꠟꠣꠞ ꠢꠣꠟꠣ	ɦalaɾ ɦala	Brother in law's brother in law	Sylheti slang often toss around among close pals might be a bit dicey and disrespectful in more formal situations.
ꠗꠥꠞ ꠢꠣꠟꠣꠞ ꠢꠣꠟꠣ	d̪úɾ ɦalaɾ ɦala	Get lost Brother in law's brother in law	Get lost!

Chapter 6: Preservation and Evolution

The challenges facing the preservation of Sylheti slang

How slang evolves over time and the influence of social media and technology

The catchy phrase "ꠍꠦꠟꠚꠤ ꠝꠣꠞꠅ," which translates to "kill a selfie" in English, reflects the evolving slang in Sylheti culture, showcasing how local languages adapt to contemporary trends influenced by social media and technology, demonstrating how expressions born from global trends can seamlessly integrate into local languages.

Sylheti	Pronunciation	Literally	Meaning
ꠍꠦꠟꠚꠤ ꠝꠣꠞꠅ	sélfí maɾɔ	Kill a selfie	Take a selfie.

Chapter 7: Resources and Learning

Contribute to the Wikibook with new slang expressions you may encounter

Add a new slang!

Links to online resources, dictionaries, or courses for those interested in learning more about Sylheti slang

Sylheti Swear Words

References

↑ ^a ^b ^c Tanweer Fazal (2013). Minority Nationalisms in South Asia. Routledge. pp. 58. ISBN 978-1-317-96647-0. "The situation worsen if such speakers use standard Bangla (commonly referred to as Kelu/Koilkati/Kolkatian or Kolkata speech) in their interection with other Sylhetis;"

[Fazal-1] Tanweer Fazal (2013). Minority Nationalisms in South Asia. Routledge. pp. 58. ISBN 978-1-317-96647-0. "The situation worsen if such speakers use standard Bangla (commonly referred to as Kelu/Koilkati/Kolkatian or Kolkata speech) in their interection with other Sylhetis;"

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