{"id":13991,"date":"2023-03-15T13:37:17","date_gmt":"2023-03-15T12:37:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/?p=13991"},"modified":"2023-03-16T07:25:30","modified_gmt":"2023-03-16T06:25:30","slug":"bengali-bangla-has-never-been-used-as-sierra-leones-official-language","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/bengali-bangla-has-never-been-used-as-sierra-leones-official-language\/","title":{"rendered":"Bengali\/Bangla has never been used as Sierra Leone\u2019s official language"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Claim: <\/strong> Viral news articles published by \u201cThe Indiana Express, Dhaka Tribune\u201d stated that the Bangladesh language named: \u2018Bengali\/Bangla\u2019 was announced as the official language of Sierra Leone in 2002 by late former President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Verdict: False. Bengali\/Bangla, spoken in Bangladesh, has never been declared Sierra Leone\u2019s official language. It is neither recognised nor spoken anywhere in the country, as claimed by the referenced media organisations. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full Text<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two popular news outlets in Asia, namely, The Indiana Express<\/a>, an Indian-based media house and Dhaka Tribune<\/a>, a Bangladesh-based media organisation, on varied dates \u2014 February 23, 2017 (Dhaka Tribune) and February 21, 2017 (Indiana Express) have published an article with a similar statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The media houses in their publications noted that the Bangladesh language called \u2018Bengali \/ Bangla\u2019 was declared an \u2018official language\u2019 to be used by Sierra Leoneans by the late former president of the small West African nation \u2014 Dr Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah (of blessed memory)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSoon after peace was restored in 2002, the country\u2019s president Ahmad Tejan Kabbah announced that Bengali would henceforth be considered an official language of the Republic of Sierra Leone in recognition of the work done by Bangladeshi troops in restoring peace to the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe might reflect upon the example set by Sierra Leone to understand that celebrating languages from different countries goes a long way in building a strong bond among global powers,\u201d \u2014 Indiana Express further indicated.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bilateral relationship between Sierra Leone and Bangladesh<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The bilateral relationship between Sierra Leone and Bangladesh has been long and cordial.<\/a> Bangladesh has not only helped Sierra Leone to defeat its rebels. Still, it has equally made some huge social, economic, and infrastructural developments which the country is enjoying even to this present period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bangladesh made its way into the heart of Sierra Leone and its people when the Asian nation committed itself to be part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces<\/a> that helped to redeem the country from the hands of the rebels who invaded the country in 1992, stating further that, Bangladesh provided one of, if not, the largest contingent of military personnel to help Sierra Leone’s military to curb the civil conflict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 11-year civil war<\/a> left the country\u2019s economy and infrastructure with shattered hope of rekindling. The conflict took away thousands of precious lives, and properties worth millions of leones were destroyed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DUBAWA\u2019s research discovered that Bangladesh had not only helped to redeem Sierra Leone from the civil conflict but has also made immense contributions in the business and NGO worlds in Sierra Leone, as evidenced here<\/a> and here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But was the country\u2019s Bengali language adopted by the people of Sierra Leone as its official language?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The issue of Bengali being an official language in Sierra Leone had engaged the minds and attention of researchers in Bangladesh. One of them, Sayeem Hassan, Head R<\/a>esearcher, Rumor Scanner \u2014 a fact-finding organisation based in Bangladesh, contacted DUBAWA to investigate the viral claim made in the referenced publications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that he had yearned for a while now to ascertain if Bengali is used as the official language in the far-way West African nation once colonised by England. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hassan told DUBAWA that many citizens in Bangladesh believe that \u2018Bengali is used as Sierra Leone\u2019s official language\u2019. It is for this reason that DUBAWA decided to investigate this claim. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Verification <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The claims made in viral publications by the three Asian media houses have been made for over a decade, with no real evidence to support the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The official language of Sierra Leone<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Image Source: Vector Stock Images \u2014 Sierra Leone\u2019s Flag Image<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The small British colonised nation<\/a> has numerous languages. However, none of these numerous languages is used as the country\u2019s \u2018official language\u2019; instead, the language of the nation\u2019s colonial masters, which is \u2018English Language,\u2019<\/a> is the officially recognised and\/or accepted language used in all formal gatherings within the borders of Sierra Leone.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DUBAWA\u2019s desktop research results show that the official language of Sierra Leone is \u201cThe English Language.\u201d<\/a>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the World Atlas, Sierra Leone\u2019s official language is \u2018English language\u2019 <\/a>\u2013 a language left behind by the country\u2019s colonial fathers is predominantly spoken in formal functions and\/or settings, which include: schools, government institutions, the Court of law, and the media. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did late Kabbah announce Bengali as Sierra Leone\u2019s official language? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There is no data nor proof to ascertain that late president Kabbah ever made such a statement or declaration for \u2018Bengali\/Bangla\u2019 to be used as the official language of the former British colony. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What the experts say regarding Bengali\u2019s announcement as Sierra Leone\u2019s official language<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Institute for Sierra Leonean Languages (TISLL) is based in Freetown and educates citizens and foreigners who wish to acquire more in-depth knowledge of the country’s various languages. It also serves as a resource centre for research purposes concerning spoken languages in Sierra Leone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DUBAWA contacted the Program Director \u2014 Mr Lamin H. Kargbo<\/a> of The Institute for Sierra Leonean Languages (TISLL)<\/a>, to know if Bengali\/Bangla is Sierra Leone\u2019s official language. The Director refutes the claim, adding that \u2018Bengali\/Bangla\u2019 has never been used nor announced as Sierra Leone\u2019s official language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asked if the late former president ever declared or announced that Bengali would be used as an official language in the country, Kargbo noted that \u2014 all that he is aware of is that the late president did mention that \u2018Bengali\u2019 would be considered or included as a language of Sierra Leone, but not as an official language, he added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DUBAWA probed why the late former president could make such a statement when Bengali has never been part of the numerous languages spoken in the small West African nation; the expert reliably said that the late president made the said statement to commend Bangladesh Government and its people for the great contributions and support rendered to Sierra Leone during the country\u2019s civil war, which commenced in 1991 and ended in 2002<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBengali was never declared as an official language of Sierra Leone. However, late president Kabbah in one of his numerous statements after the war, mentioned that Bengali would be considered and\/or included as a part of Sierra Leone\u2019s languages.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe late president made the statement due to Bangladesh\u2019s immense contributions to putting the senseless 11-year civil conflict in the country to an end. Ironically, since the announcement was made, Bengali has not even been recognised as a language by Sierra Leoneans, nor has it been spoken as a language in any part of Sierra Leone,\u201d he narrated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He noted further that the country has only one official language \u2014 the \u2018English language\u2019, stating that, other than English, all other languages in the country are only used for informal communication in places such as homes, mosques, churches, villages etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ms Sia Tengbeh, a teacher of over 25 years, also told DUBAWA that in her over 25 years of a teaching career, she is unaware of a point in time any president or authority of any sort announced that the country\u2019s official language would be changed. She averred that Sierra Leone’s official language has always been the English language.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Languages that are spoken in Sierra Leone<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite Sierra Leone\u2019s small geographical location and its 6.5 to 7 million population, according to the 2021 Mid-Term Housing & Population Census conducted by Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats-SL)<\/a>, the country can boast approximately 16 national languages\/ethnic groups spoken predominantly in different areas nationwide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

National languages spoken in Sierra Leone and by Sierra Leoneans<\/a> includes the following: Temne, <\/a>Mende<\/a>, Krio<\/a>, Kissi<\/a>, Fulla<\/a>, Soso<\/a>, Yalunka<\/a>, Kono<\/a>, Limba<\/a>, Sherbro<\/a>, Loko<\/a>, and Madingo<\/a>; these languages are only used in informal settings, such as \u2014 homes, in the streets, religious gatherings, and in a host of other non-formal settings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each of these languages has locations\/areas where Sierra Leoneans residing in those places predominantly speak either one or two of the mentioned languages. <\/strong>According to Family Search\u2019s<\/a> recent data on Sierra Leonean Languages, \u2018Temne & Mende\u2019 constitute the lion\u2019s number of speakers in the country, with \u2018Temne\u2019 speakers constituting  37% of the country\u2019s population, <\/a>and it is predominantly spoken in the Northern province; while speakers of \u2018Mende\u2019 constitutes 31%,<\/a> and it is mainly spoken in the Southern & Eastern provinces of Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bangladesh played a significant role in bringing peace to Sierra Leone during the 11-year civil conflict. However, it is false that Bengali, the language of the people of Bangladesh, was announced and\/or adopted as Sierra Leone’s official language.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Claim:  Viral news articles published by \u201cThe Indiana Express, Dhaka Tribune\u201d stated that the Bangladesh language named: \u2018Bengali\/Bangla\u2019 was announced as the official language of Sierra Leone in 2002 by late former President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah. Verdict: False. Bengali\/Bangla, spoken in Bangladesh, has never been declared Sierra Leone\u2019s official language. It is neither recognised nor spoken anywhere in the country, as claimed by the referenced media organisations.  Full Text Two popular news outlets in Asia, namely, The Indiana Express, an Indian-based media house and Dhaka Tribune, a Bangladesh-based media organisation, on varied dates \u2014 February 23, 2017 (Dhaka Tribune) and February 21, 2017 (Indiana Express) have published an article with a similar statement. The media houses in their publications noted that the Bangladesh language called \u2018Bengali \/ Bangla\u2019 was declared an \u2018official language\u2019 to be used by Sierra Leoneans by the late former president of the small West African nation \u2014 Dr Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah (of blessed memory).  \u201cSoon after peace was restored in 2002, the country\u2019s president Ahmad Tejan Kabbah announced that Bengali would henceforth be considered an official language of the Republic of Sierra Leone in recognition of the work done by Bangladeshi troops in restoring peace to the region. \u201cWe might reflect upon the example set by Sierra Leone to understand that celebrating languages from different countries goes a long way in building a strong bond among global powers,\u201d \u2014 Indiana Express further indicated.   The bilateral relationship between Sierra Leone and Bangladesh The bilateral relationship between Sierra Leone and Bangladesh has been long and cordial. Bangladesh has not only helped Sierra Leone to defeat its rebels. Still, it has equally made some huge social, economic, and infrastructural developments which the country is enjoying even to this present period. Bangladesh made its way into the heart of Sierra Leone and its people when the Asian nation committed itself to be part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces that helped to redeem the country from the hands of the rebels who invaded the country in 1992, stating further that, Bangladesh provided one of, if not, the largest contingent of military personnel to help Sierra Leone’s military to curb the civil conflict.  The 11-year civil war left the country\u2019s economy and infrastructure with shattered hope of rekindling. The conflict took away thousands of precious lives, and properties worth millions of leones were destroyed.  DUBAWA\u2019s research discovered that Bangladesh had not only helped to redeem Sierra Leone from the civil conflict but has also made immense contributions in the business and NGO worlds in Sierra Leone, as evidenced here and here.  But was the country\u2019s Bengali language adopted by the people of Sierra Leone as its official language? The issue of Bengali being an official language in Sierra Leone had engaged the minds and attention of researchers in Bangladesh. One of them, Sayeem Hassan, Head Researcher, Rumor Scanner \u2014 a fact-finding organisation based in Bangladesh, contacted DUBAWA to investigate the viral claim made in the referenced publications.  He added that he had yearned for a while now to ascertain if Bengali is used as the official language in the far-way West African nation once colonised by England.  Hassan told DUBAWA that many citizens in Bangladesh believe that \u2018Bengali is used as Sierra Leone\u2019s official language\u2019. It is for this reason that DUBAWA decided to investigate this claim.  Verification  The claims made in viral publications by the three Asian media houses have been made for over a decade, with no real evidence to support the same.  The official language of Sierra Leone The small British colonised nation has numerous languages. However, none of these numerous languages is used as the country\u2019s \u2018official language\u2019; instead, the language of the nation\u2019s colonial masters, which is \u2018English Language,\u2019 is the officially recognised and\/or accepted language used in all formal gatherings within the borders of Sierra Leone.  DUBAWA\u2019s desktop research results show that the official language of Sierra Leone is \u201cThe English Language.\u201d   According to the World Atlas, Sierra Leone\u2019s official language is \u2018English language\u2019 \u2013 a language left behind by the country\u2019s colonial fathers is predominantly spoken in formal functions and\/or settings, which include: schools, government institutions, the Court of law, and the media.  Did late Kabbah announce Bengali as Sierra Leone\u2019s official language?  There is no data nor proof to ascertain that late president Kabbah ever made such a statement or declaration for \u2018Bengali\/Bangla\u2019 to be used as the official language of the former British colony.  What the experts say regarding Bengali\u2019s announcement as Sierra Leone\u2019s official language The Institute for Sierra Leonean Languages (TISLL) is based in Freetown and educates citizens and foreigners who wish to acquire more in-depth knowledge of the country’s various languages. It also serves as a resource centre for research purposes concerning spoken languages in Sierra Leone.  DUBAWA contacted the Program Director \u2014 Mr Lamin H. Kargbo of The Institute for Sierra Leonean Languages (TISLL), to know if Bengali\/Bangla is Sierra Leone\u2019s official language. The Director refutes the claim, adding that \u2018Bengali\/Bangla\u2019 has never been used nor announced as Sierra Leone\u2019s official language.  Asked if the late former president ever declared or announced that Bengali would be used as an official language in the country, Kargbo noted that \u2014 all that he is aware of is that the late president did mention that \u2018Bengali\u2019 would be considered or included as a language of Sierra Leone, but not as an official language, he added.  DUBAWA probed why the late former president could make such a statement when Bengali has never been part of the numerous languages spoken in the small West African nation; the expert reliably said that the late president made the said statement to commend Bangladesh Government and its people for the great contributions and support rendered to Sierra Leone during the country\u2019s civil war, which commenced in 1991 and ended in 2002 \u201cBengali was never declared as an official language of Sierra Leone. However, late president Kabbah in one of his numerous statements after the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14010,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"hannibal_claim_source":"","hannibal_source_label":"","hannibal_card_color":"blue","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":false,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"","_twitter_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type":"","_pinterest_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"","_medium_share_type":"","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_bluesky_share_type":"","_mastodon_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[1571,123,1268],"tags":[],"verdict":[],"ppma_author":[3442],"class_list":["post-13991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fact-check","category-mainstream","category-sierra-leone"],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8R6dE-3DF","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"authors":[{"term_id":3442,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"fayia-j-moseray","display_name":"Fayia J. 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