Russian state institute introduces Bangla textbook
Dhaka: Moscow State Institute of International Relations has published a textbook on Bangla language in observance of the International Mother Language Day.
According to a press release issued on February 21, the textbook titled “Bangladesh: History and Politics” is aimed at gaining and developing specific knowledge on Bangla language, with a focus on the domestic and foreign policy of Bangladesh.
Written by Dr. Irina Prokofieva and Ms. Yulia Kalinina, two Russian specialists in Bangla language, the book’s ultimate goal is to help students to attain skills of translating political texts of any difficulty from and to Bangla, added the press note.
The book contains exclusively original materials, including the historical speeches by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other renowned personalities.
These documents let the students adjust to the linguistic features of native speakers, read the release.
Moscow State Institute of International Relations, commonly known as MGIMO University, is an academic institution run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, which is widely considered the most elite university in Russia. Bangla has already been taught at the university for several decades.
The publication of “Bangladesh: History and Politics” by MGIMO indicates rising interest towards Bangladesh and Bangla language in Russia amid strengthening ties between Russia and Bangladesh, the press note continued.
The Writers:
Irina Prokofieva is a prominent Russian linguist and expert in the culture and literature of South Asian countries in general, and of Bangladesh, in particular. She used to work as an interpreter in government agencies since the early 1970s and devoted her life to teaching the Bangla language.
Earlier, she published two Bangla coursebooks for intermediate students.
Being a former student of Dr. Prokofieva, Yulia Kalinina has also contributed to the creation of this book. After her graduation, she worked in the Russian Embassy in Dhaka for several years and then taught Bengali at MGIMO.