Language and Identity: English as a Marker of Social Class in Bangladesh

This study investigates how English proficiency serves as linguistic capital, reinforcing social stratification in urban Bangladesh. Using Bourdieu's framework of symbolic power and thematic discourse analysis of media, policy documents, job advertisements, and social media content (2022-2025), this research reveals how English serves as both a gateway to elite opportunities and a barrier perpetuating class divisions. The analysis demonstrates that Bangladesh's three-tiered education system, comprising English-medium, Bangla-medium, and madrasah schools, systematically reproduces social inequality, with English-medium graduates securing 93% of corporate positions, while Bangla-medium students face limited mobility. Findings reveal that "standard" English is valorized over local varieties, creating linguistic hierarchies that mirror colonial legacies and contemporary neoliberal demands. Social media platforms amplify these dynamics, as urban youth strategically deploy English to signal modernity and cosmopolitan identity, while those lacking proficiency experience exclusion and linguistic anxiety. The study concludes that English functions as a form of symbolic violence, legitimizing educational and professional gatekeeping while marginalizing speakers of local languages. These findings underscore the need for inclusive language policies that foster multilingual competence without compromising cultural identity, thereby ensuring equitable access to global opportunities while preserving linguistic diversity in postcolonial Bangladesh.