dacca
LowHistorical, formal, or geographical; often found in older texts, historical accounts, and specific contexts like textile history.
Definition
Meaning
An anglicized name for the city of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, historically used in colonial and older texts.
The term is also used historically to refer to a type of fine, hand-woven cotton muslin (Dacca muslin) produced in the region.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Dacca" is an exonym; the contemporary and internationally recognized name is "Dhaka." Using "Dacca" can sound dated, colonial, or specifically historical/technical (e.g., in textile references).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal; the term is equally historical in both varieties. It was more prevalent during the British colonial era, so it appears in both UK and US historical documents.
Connotations
In both varieties, it evokes colonial history. There is no modern, current usage for the place name; the modern "Dhaka" is standard.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage. More likely to be encountered in historical or specialized texts (e.g., on textiles) than in modern geography or news.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Proper Noun] as a subject/object of place (e.g., Dacca was renamed)Used attributively (e.g., Dacca muslin)In prepositional phrases of location (e.g., in old Dacca)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Only in historical contexts of trade (e.g., 'the Dacca muslin trade').
Academic
Found in historical, colonial, and South Asian studies; also in textile history.
Everyday
Virtually never used in modern everyday conversation; the modern name 'Dhaka' is used.
Technical
Used in historical cartography, philately, and textile classifications (e.g., 'Dacca gauze').
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The Dacca muslin trade flourished in the 18th century.
- He collects Dacca-era postage stamps.
American English
- She studies Dacca weaves from the colonial period.
- A map showing the Dacca district.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Dhaka is a big city. Long ago, people called it Dacca.
- On the old map, the capital was spelled Dacca, not Dhaka.
- Historians note that Dacca was a major centre for the production of fine muslin.
- The anglicised 'Dacca' persisted in diplomatic correspondence well into the mid-20th century before being officially replaced by 'Dhaka'.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Dacca' is the old, colonial CAP-A for the capital, now updated to 'Dhaka'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PLACE IS ITS HISTORY: Using 'Dacca' invokes the colonial past of the city.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'Dhaka' back to 'Дакка' in historical texts where 'Dacca' is used; they are the same city.
- Do not use 'Dacca' in modern contexts, as it is archaic.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'Dacca' in modern travel writing or news (use 'Dhaka').
- Misspelling as 'Daka' or 'Dakka'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'Dacca' still appropriately used today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they refer to the same city. 'Dacca' is the older, anglicized spelling used primarily before the late 20th century, while 'Dhaka' is the modern, standard transliteration from Bengali.
During the British colonial period and for some time after, 'Dacca' was the standard English spelling. It is common in historical documents, maps, and literature from that era.
It is considered outdated and can be perceived as insensitive or colonial. For all modern contexts, 'Dhaka' is the correct and respectful term to use.
It refers to a specific type of incredibly fine, hand-woven cotton cloth that was historically produced in the Dhaka region and was highly prized and traded internationally, especially during the 17th-19th centuries.