Reduplication in the Modern Bengali Language

This study examines the phenomenon of reduplication in modern Bengali, focusing on its structural diversity, functional roles, and linguistic constraints. Reduplication, defined as the repetition of a linguistic unit—ranging from phonemes to entire utterances—is a key component in identifying multiword expressions (MWEs) and plays a significant role in Bengali morphology and syntax. The research categorizes reduplication into two broad types: one based on linguistic purposes and the other on grammatical functions. The first category includes morphological, lexical, semantic, onomatopoeic, correlative, inflected, and phonological reduplication. These forms contribute to word formation, semantic enrichment, and stylistic variation. The second category examines total reduplication—both pure and superadded—across various grammatical classes, including adjectives, nouns, pronouns, numerals, verbs, adverbs, postpositions, and indeclinables. This type of reduplication primarily serves to express multiplicity, intensity, and emphasis, often transforming the syntactic or semantic properties of the original word. Findings suggest that reduplication in Bengali is not merely ornamental but a productive linguistic process that can generate new lexical items and even shift word classes. By analyzing these patterns, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of Bengali grammar and the dynamic nature of its expressive resources.