Monowar Hossain is a linguist and interpreter, and a co-founder of Dhaka Interpreters. He interprets between Bangla and English for the journalists, researchers and organisations who come to work in Bangladesh, and brings to each assignment an academic training in how language works.
He studied Linguistics and French at the University of Dhaka, then Clinical Linguistics at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and Psycholinguistics at Ghent University in Belgium. Several years of living and studying in Europe, and travel across Europe, Asia and the Middle East, made working between languages and cultures part of daily life.
In Bangladesh he has taught at Uttara University and at Independent University, Bangladesh. He teaches Spanish to Bangla speakers in Learn Spanish through Bangla, a free video series made for International Language Gurukul, and has led multilingual content in English, Spanish, French and Arabic.
In May 2026 he interpreted for the award-winning Canadian investigative journalist Julian Sher during investigative journalism training for reporters from Prothom Alo and Samakal, two of Bangladesh’s leading newspapers.
Monowar is from Rajshahi. Outside interpreting, he writes and edits FoodsGuider, a food travel site about eating abroad the way locals do, starting with what each dish is called.
- Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Languages Bangla (native), English, French, Spanish
- Studied Linguistics and French, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Studied Clinical Linguistics, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Studied Psycholinguistics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Expertise
What Monowar works on
Experience
Where the experience comes from
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Co-founder and interpreter, Dhaka Interpreters
Bangla and English interpreting for journalists, NGOs, diplomats and businesses in Bangladesh.
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Editor, FoodsGuider
Writes and edits food travel guides that give readers the local name of each dish and how to order it.
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Spanish teacher, International Language Gurukul
Learn Spanish through Bangla, a free video series on YouTube.
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Teacher, Independent University, Bangladesh
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Teacher, Uttara University
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Multilingual content lead
Content in English, Spanish, French and Arabic.
The record
Recent work
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May 2026
Interpreting for Julian Sher
Interpreted for the Canadian investigative journalist at investigative journalism training for reporters from Prothom Alo and Samakal in Dhaka.
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Ongoing
Learn Spanish through Bangla
A free video series teaching Spanish to Bangla speakers, made for International Language Gurukul.
Gallery
In pictures
Field notes
Articles by Monowar
Journalist Visa Bangladesh: Documents, Permits and Timelines for Foreign Media
Journalist visa Bangladesh guide for foreign media: FF-1 and FF-2 forms, letters, processing times, PID, camp and drone permits, tourist-visa risks.
What Is a Fixer in Journalism? Role, Risks and Working Well Together
What is a fixer in journalism? What fixers do, how they differ from stringers and producers, credit, duty of care, ethics and how to hire one well.
Rohingya Language vs Chittagonian: What Aid Teams Need to Know
Rohingya language vs Chittagonian: how close they are, where interpreters slip on health and GBV terms, and how to test comprehension in Cox's Bazar.
Business Etiquette in Bangladesh: A Practical Guide for Meetings in Dhaka and Chattogram
Business etiquette in Bangladesh for visiting executives: greetings, titles, the real weekend, Ramadan timing, saying no, gifts and using an interpreter.
Bengali vs Bangla: One Language, Two Names, and What to Ask For
Bengali vs Bangla explained: one language, two names. Bangladesh and Kolkata usage, Sylheti and Chittagonian, codes, and what to request when hiring.
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