Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said simplification of scientific terminologies in Bengali would make science-based education and research attractive for students.
“I think that no nation can step forward without flourishing of the science-based education,” she said while virtually inaugurating a four-day programme of the International Mother Language Institute at Shegunbagicha to mark the International Mother Language Day, reports UNB.
Sheikh Hasina said that science-based education, science-based research works are essential in every sector.
Regarding the use of scientific terminology, she said that the use of tough terminology in the Bengali language of a scientific word might not be understandable for all.
“Widely used words and internationally accepted words that can be used as it is, we have to accept the word that is used widely in the international arena,” she said.
In this connection, she said that using tough terminology could bring non-understandable situations and that should be avoided.
“I do not believe in using terminology or translation everywhere,” she said.
The prime minister said that in science there are many words inducted from many languages including English, French and many others.
She also said that in the Bengali language there are about 8000 foreign words inducted.
“We should not be so much conservative in this regard, the commonly used scientific terms can be used in the Bengali language for easy learning of science,” she opined.
Sheikh Hasina pointed out that practise and research in all subjects including language, literature, culture and science are very essential to transform the country from developing to developed one.
“Keeping eyes on that we are trying to do our works,” she said.
Focusing on the history of the Language Movement, she said although February 21, 1952, saw the tragic incident, the movement for mother language began much earlier.
At the proposal of Bangabandhu, she said, the State Language Action Council was formed comprising Chhatra League, Tamuddin Majlish and other student organisations in 1948.
Education Minister Dipu Moni, Deputy Minister for Education Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel and Head of the Office and UNESCO Representative to Bangladesh Beatrice Kaldun spoke, among others, on the occasion.
Professor of the Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Dhaka Dr Lafifa Jamal presented the keynote speech, while Secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Division of Education Ministry Md Abu Bakar Siddique gave the welcome address and Director General of the International Mother Language Institute Md. Belayet Hossain Talukdar delivered the vote of thanks.
At the outset of the programme, a one-minute silence was observed to show respect to the language movement heroes for their sacrifice.