Ro Maung Shwe
The Rohingya language, locally known as Rohingya Zuban, is more than a medium of communication; it is a lifeline for the cultural and historical identity of the Rohingya people. Spoken by the Rohingya community, primarily from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, this Indo-Aryan language carries influences from Arabic, Urdu, and Burmese but is closest in structure to Chittagonian, a dialect of southeastern Bangladesh. For centuries, the journey of Rohingya Zuban has been shaped by adaptation, resilience, and an enduring struggle against oppression.
The Evolution of Writing Rohingya Zuban
Before the creation of the Hanifi Rohingya script by Maulana Mohammed Hanif in the 1980s, the Rohingya language had no dedicated writing system. It was expressed using various scripts, including Arabic, Urdu, and even Burmese, each of which reflected the socio-political pressures of different eras.
Historically, Arabic held a sacred role within the community, being the script of early religious texts. During British colonial rule, Urdu gained popularity as an accessible medium, especially in South Asia’s Muslim cultural circles. However, neither script fully captured the unique phonetics of Rohingya Zuban. The Burmese script, imposed during periods of forced assimilation, found limited use for official documentation but failed to resonate with the community. Similarly, the Bengali script, due to geographical proximity with Bangladesh, was occasionally used but proved insufficient to preserve the language’s essence.
This patchwork of borrowed scripts reflected a lack of linguistic autonomy, a reality that inspired Maulana Mohammed Hanif to design the Hanifi script—28 letters specifically tailored to represent the phonology of Rohingya Zuban. Developed with elements from Arabic, Urdu, and Persian, the Hanifi script became a symbol of cultural independence, even though its adoption remains limited.
The Struggle for Linguistic Identity
Myanmar’s discriminatory policies have long targeted the Rohingya people, not only denying their citizenship but also restricting their language and cultural expression. The government’s labeling of Rohingya Zuban as a “black language” reflects this systematic marginalization. Educational materials in Rohingya were banned, and many scholars were jailed, punished, or killed for preserving the language.
These barriers extended to children, who were deprived of formal schooling in their mother tongue. Instead, Myanmar’s educational system promoted Burmese, further erasing minority identities. Despite these challenges, Rohingya Zuban survived in underground madrassas, community-based schools, and even informal settings like WhatsApp groups, where it continues to thrive today.
The Role of Hanifi Rohingya Script in Modern Times
Though not as widespread as Arabic or Latin, the Hanifi script remains a beacon of hope for preserving the linguistic heritage of Rohingya Zuban. In recent years, digital platforms have offered new avenues for its use. Unicode support has allowed for the creation of digital materials, enabling the script to reach Rohingya communities scattered across the globe.
Efforts by international organizations like UNICEF, IOM, and UNHCR have also lent support. These agencies have begun integrating Rohingya Zuban into educational programs in refugee camps, such as those in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Additionally, community-based NGOs, like Mukti Kuti, are working to produce learning materials in the language, ensuring that future generations can read and write in their mother tongue.
A Language Rooted in Community
Today, over 200,000 Rohingya people worldwide can read and write their language, a testament to the resilience of their community. Initiatives like the Rohingya National Education Board, led by individuals across refugee camps and diaspora communities in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, India, and Japan, keep the language alive. Publications of poems, articles, and books in Rohingya Zuban on platforms like social media further amplify its reach.
For the Rohingya people, Rohingya Zuban is more than words—it is a vital thread connecting them to their history, culture, and identity. Despite the oppressive policies that sought to erase it, the language endures, carried forward by the determination of a displaced yet defiant people.
