শব্দভাণ্ডার ও পলিয়া জনগোষ্ঠীর ভাষিক বৈশিষ্ট্য/ Lexicon and Linguistic Characteristics of the Polia Community

Abstract

The vocabulary and language of the Polia people in North Bengal serve as a living record of their long history, unique lifestyle, and deep-rooted agricultural traditions. The richness of any language is defined by the diversity of its words, and this is especially true for the Polia community. Their language can be broken down into three main categories: native words, loanwords, and newly formed terms.

         Their core vocabulary consists of Tatsama, Ardha-tatsama, and Tadbhav words. While Tatsama words (like parbat, dharma, shiksha) are used much like they are in standard Bengali, the Ardha-tatsama words show a fascinating local evolution - for instance, mahis turns into bhoish, andhakar becomes andar, and kuasha is shortened to kuha. The Tadbhav influence is also strong, reflecting Prakrit roots, seen in words like aij (from adya), kanta (from kantaka), and nangol (from langal).

         The influence of indigenous and regional languages really highlights the Polia culture's roots. They use many words from the original Kol and Munda tribes, such as chaoa (child) or dagor (big), which speak to their folk life. Over time, trade and geography have also brought in regional and foreign influences—like chahida from Punjabi, khaddar from Gujarati, maplat (muffler) from English, and kishmish from Persian — all of which have kept the language evolving.

         As the world modernizes, so does the Polia language. We see this through hybrid words like daktarkhana or hat-bajar, and new translations for modern concepts (like durdarshan for TV). They also have clever ‘portmanteau’ words, like bhuikomp for earthquake and guisap for monitor lizard. To make things easier to say in casual conversation, they frequently use abbreviations (like B.A. or O.C.) and shortened words, which gives the language a natural, melodic flow.

         Ultimately, the Polia vocabulary is more than just a list of words; it’s a living history of North Bengal’s culture. Through constant adaptation and distinct phonetic patterns, this language has added incredible depth to the broader Bengali language. It’s truly a treasure that deserves to be preserved and properly documented.