The Endangered Languages Research Cluster (ELRC) under the English Discipline at Khulna University, Bangladesh, is a scholarly, academic, and transdisciplinary research initiative and platform dedicated to the documentation, preservation, and revitalization of endangered, under-documented, and minority languages across Bangladesh and beyond. As Bangladesh’s rich and diverse linguistic landscape faces increasing threats from globalization, migration, cultural assimilation, and shifts in sociocultural and political dynamics, resulting in the risk of endangerment, extinction, and disappearance of many tribal and regional minority languages at an alarming rate, ELRC serves as a hub that brings together expertise from linguistics, anthropology, sociology, history, digital humanities, as well as speech community members and policy-makers to respond to this challenge through scholarly study, transdisciplinary research, collaboration, community engagement, academic innovation, and advocacy for preservation of linguistic diversity and cultural heritage.
ELRC engages in field-linguistic documentation and corpus development activities of endangered and minority languages, digital archiving and database creation, sociolinguistic and ethnolinguistic research, technology-driven initiatives, organization of workshops, seminars, and training programs, policy engagement, community participation, scholarly collaboration, and educational outreach, recognizing ethnolinguistic diversity as a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.
Collaborative Research Hub for Endangered Language Sustainability
To become a leading centre of excellence in Bangladesh and South Asia for research, documentation, and revitalization of endangered and minority languages — fostering linguistic diversity, cultural sustainability, and inclusive knowledge creation through academic collaboration and community engagement.
Documenting, Preserving, and Revitalizing the World's Endangered Languages
Conduct rigorous research on endangered and minority languages of Bangladesh and beyond.
Promote transdisciplinary collaboration among linguists, anthropologists, educators, and digital humanists.
Empower language communities to participate in preserving and revitalizing their linguistic heritage.
Build academic and technological capacity for language documentation, digital archiving, and policy advocacy.
Contribute to national and global dialogues on linguistic diversity, cultural rights, and sustainable development.
Advancing Knowledge, Building Capacity, Sustaining Languages
Research and DocumentationTo identify, document, and analyse endangered and minority languages using contemporary linguistic and ethnographic methods.
Preservation and Revitalization To support initiatives that strengthen intergenerational transmission and community-based language revitalization awareness and efforts.
Capacity Building To train students, researchers, and community members in language documentation, corpus development, and digital tools.
Advocacy and Policy Engagement To promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and advocate for inclusive language policies at institutional and national levels.
Collaboration and Networking To establish partnerships with national and international universities, research centres, and organizations working on language revitalization.
Knowledge Dissemination To publish and share research findings through academic journals, conferences, workshops, and open-access platforms.
Ethical and Sustainable Practice To uphold ethical research standards and ensure the sustainability of linguistic and cultural resources through responsible scholarship.
Ethical Research, Shared Knowledge, Sustainable Impact
At its core, ELRC believes that every language is a living repository of human knowledge, identity, and worldview, and that safeguarding linguistic diversity is essential for cultural resilience and academic integrity.
Upholding Integrity, Respect, and Accountability in Every Action
The Endangered Languages Research Cluster (ELRC) at the Discipline of English, Khulna University, is founded on a strong commitment to ethical research, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. Recognizing that language research involves people, identities, and living cultural traditions, ELRC upholds the highest standards of academic integrity, community respect, and social responsibility in all its activities.
Charting a Sustainable Path for Linguistic Diversity
The Endangered Languages Research Cluster (ELRC) of the Discipline of English at Khulna University is established to advance research, documentation, and revitalization of endangered and minority languages of Bangladesh and beyond. The Strategic Plan 2025–2030 provides a structured roadmap to guide ELRC’s activities over the next five years. This plan aligns with Khulna University’s institutional mission to promote innovation, cultural sustainability, and community engagement through transdisciplinary academic excellence.
ELRC at Khulna University documents, preserves, and revitalizes endangered and minority languages in Bangladesh through research, community engagement, and digital archiving.
Our Partners
Address:
Room # 3214, 3rd Academic Building, English Discipline,
Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh
WhatsApp:
+88 01715 299 422
Email:
coordinator.elrc@eng.ku.ac.bd
coordinator@elrc.edu.bd
