Pronunciation: [bɛŋɡˈɑːli] (IPA) 
The word "Bengali" refers to the people or language of the Bengal region, which is located in parts of India and Bangladesh. The spelling of the word is pronounced as [bɛŋˈɡɔːli], with emphasis on the first syllable. The "g" in the word is pronounced as a soft "g" sound, as in "gentle". The word is often misspelled as "Bangali", which can cause confusion with the people or language of the country of Bangladesh.
Bengali is an adjective and a noun used to describe or characterize something or someone related to the region of Bengal, which is a historical and cultural region in the northeastern part of the Indian subcontinent.
As an adjective, Bengali pertains to the people, language, culture, traditions, or anything related to Bengal. It signifies attributes or features associated with the Bengal region, its inhabitants, or their way of life.
Bengali is also used as a noun to refer to the people who are native to Bengal, India, Bangladesh, and the diaspora around the world. These individuals can trace their ancestry, heritage, or birthplace back to the Bengal region.
Furthermore, Bengali is the primary language spoken by people from the Bengal region. It is the seventh most spoken language in the world, with approximately 228 million native speakers. Bengali belongs to the Indo-Aryan family of languages and is written using the Bengali script.
The Bengali culture is rich and diverse, encompassing various art forms, literature, music, dance, festivals, cuisine, and historical traditions. Bengali literature, for instance, has produced renowned poets, writers, and intellectuals throughout history. The vibrant festivals celebrated by Bengalis, such as Durga Puja and Poila Boishakh, exhibit their cultural and religious practices.
Overall, Bengali refers to the language, people, and cultural aspects associated with the Bengal region, highlighting their distinctive characteristics and contributions to society.
The word "Bengali" can have two different etymological origins, depending on the context:
1. In reference to the language:
The term "Bengali" is derived from the Bengali self-designation "Bangla" (বাংলা), which is used to describe both the language and the people. The word "Bangla" has roots in the ancient Indo-Aryan language, Sanskrit. It is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit word "Vanga" (वङ्ग), which was the name of an ancient kingdom situated in present-day Bangladesh and parts of West Bengal, India. Over time, "Vanga" evolved into "Bangla", which eventually became the term for the language spoken in the region.
2.
