While it is the dominant language in Sylhet, it is also spoken in other areas of Bangladesh, particularly in the Chittagong Division and Dhaka.
Beyond Bangladesh, Sylheti is spoken by significant communities in:
* India: The Sylhet region was part of India until 1947, and there are substantial Sylheti-speaking communities in the Indian states of Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura.
* United Kingdom: A large Sylheti diaspora exists in the UK, particularly in London and other major cities.
* Other countries: Smaller communities of Sylheti speakers can be found in other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and the Middle East.
It's worth noting that while Sylheti is often classified as a dialect of Bengali, it has its own distinct vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.