(C) Maharaj Mukherjee 1

Spoken Bangla:Introduction

Lesson – 0

Lesson – 1

Maharaj Mukherjee

(C) Maharaj Mukherjee 2

Introduction:

Course PlanCourse Objective: Increase the fluency and proficiency level of non-native Bengali speakers

in understanding and comprehending spoken Bengali and participating in conversation in Bengali with both a native and non-native speakers.

Curriculum: The course is divided into three parts:

1. Conversational Bengali: This part will focus on several scenarios where the student will learn how to create and participate in Bengali conversations. This part will start with elementary greetings and move on to more and more complex form of conversations.

2. Listening Comprehensions: This part will focus on listening and understanding the spoken Bengali of native speakers and some Bengali poems and entertainments.

3. Elementary Grammar: This part will focus on elementary grammar - particularly verb constructions in first, second and third persons and past, present and future tenses: such as the differences between korechhi, korbo, korchhi, korchhe, korbe, korechhe, karo, korbe, korchho, etc.

Tests: There will be two tests to measure the performance and progress of the students during the school year. The students will be also encouraged to participate in projects - such as performing a Bengali. skit, demonstrations and entertainments, show and tell etc.

(C) Maharaj Mukherjee 3

Introduction:

Help Wanted – for Parents

Use it or Lose it: Must talk in Bengali at home Encourage speaking Bengali at home Practice the lessons with your kids

(C) Maharaj Mukherjee 4

Lesson – 0We will practice this in every class

Namaskar Namaskar Tumi kemon aachho?

How are you? Ami bhalo aachhi.

I am good.NamaskarThe Bengali Greetings

(C) Maharaj Mukherjee 5

Lesson – 1Know Your Relatives

Pise: Tomar Naam Ki? What is your name?

Ratan: Aamar Naam “Ratan.” My name is Ratan

Pise: Tumi jano to aami ke? Do you know who I am?

Ratan: Na jani na to No, I don’t know.

Pise: Aaami holam tomar Pise I am your Pise.

Ratan: Pise, mane baba’r bhai? Does “pise” mean dad’s brother?

Pise: Na re pagol. Pise mane holo tomar baba’r bon-er bar. Ebar bujhechho? No – silly. Pise means your dad’s sister’s husband

Ratan: han bujhechhi Yes I understand.

(C) Maharaj Mukherjee 6

Lesson – 1Know Your Relatives

Maa – Mother Baba – Father Bon – Sister Bhai – Brother Dida/Didima – Granny:

Mother’s mother Thamma/Thami – Granny:

Father’s mother Dadu – Granpa

Masi – Mother’s sister Meso – Masi’s husband Mama – Mother’s brother Mami – Mama’s wife Pisi – Father’s sister Pise – Pisi’s husband Kaka – Father’s brother Kaki – Kaka’s wife Bar – Husband Bau – Wife

(C) Maharaj Mukherjee 7

Lesson – 1 Know Your Bengali - Style

May name is Ratan Aamar naam hochhe Ratan - Wrong Aamar naam Ratan - Right Aaami holam tomar Pise – Right only for emphasis

Maa – you know what --- Maa tumi jano ki --- Wrong Maa tumi jano to - Right

Pagol – Crazy Do not feel insulted if someone calls you “pagol” – it does

not mean that you are crazy. It is the culture thing.