Chittagonian
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A language of Bangladesh
13,000,000 (2006 SIL).
Chittagong division: widespread.
3 (Wider communication). Used as an L2 in Rangamati, Bandarban, Cox’ s Bazar, and Chittagong districts primarily for business and market.
Not inherently intelligible with Bengali [ben], although considered a nonstandard Bengali dialect. Dialects form a continuum from north to south, with a larger religious distinction between Muslim and others. Rohingya [rhg] in Myanmar is reportedly similar to the southern dialect of Chittagonian. Lexical similarity: 43%–64% with Bangla [ben].
Home, family, religion. Many also use Bengali [ben], especially educated people who understand it but are not comfortable using it. Women in rural villages without access to television do not understand Bengali. Used as L2 by Bengali [ben], Chakma [ccp], Marma [rmz], Mru [mro], Rakhine [rki], Rohingya [rhg], Tippera [tpe].
Muslim, Christian, Hindu.