Ideology of Second Language Policy in Nepal

Rishiram Adhikari, Purna Bahadur Kadel

Abstract

This study analyzes the situation of Nepali second language policy in terms of ideological, global, and technological influences, and sociocultural and economic forces of the society. The main purpose of this study is to analyze how English is identified as the second language in Nepal, what factors play a role in determining the second languages, and why the issue of the second language is controversial in Nepal. This study followed a phenomenological research design under a post-positivistic research paradigm, which is known as the qualitative research approach. Both secondary and primary sources of data were used in this study. Secondary data were collected from already published books, articles, journals, and various legal documents that were gathered through offline and online libraries. Primary data were collected through in-depth interviews with participants. Long-term ideological influence of England and the English people, social and political influences of the English-speaking world, and interest of the rulers play a vital role in recognizing English as the second language in Nepal. The process of democratization, liberalization, capitalization, Christianization, influences of western education, technology, and modernization also play a role in the use of English as the second language, and international or foreign language; however, it creates new challenges to maintain the linguistic diversity in Nepal. The study will be very important and applicable for policy makers and researchers to analyze the negative and positive impacts of the English language for maintaining linguistic diversities in Nepal. To maintain the originality of the study, it uses first-hand data and analyzes the issue of the second language, mother tongue, and linguistic diversities.

 

Keywords: English, ideology, language, Nepal, language policy.

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.62.38


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References


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