Saving Indigenous Language

Humans have, for many centuries, resorted to various media to convey their distinct ideas to others. Since the dawn of human civilization, numerous methods of communication have emerged, and among them, language stands as one of the most fundamental and dominant modes. Language, in its many forms, has been at the forefront since time immemorial, facilitating smooth communication and allowing voices to reach far and wide.

Languages have been widely acknowledged for their precious role in giving life to raw ideas and unfiltered thoughts. However, arguments have also been raised from time to time over which language carries more weight than others. It is undeniably true that English is a universal language spoken all around the world. Nonetheless, people in recent years have become increasingly adamant about the idea that with the growing use of the English language, many indigenous languages are gradually dying out.

Even though it is true that when one language dominates, others may slowly phase out and reach a stage of irrelevance. The promotion of multilingualism can prevent this outcome. If numerous languages are spoken and taught to people from different walks of life from an early age, it will enable them to reach wider audiences, broaden their horizons, and equip them with skills they might otherwise lack.

In the educational institutions of Nepal, I have often observed a race between English and Nepali. Usually, students are barred from speaking Nepali, and by default, if they speak Nepali, they are subjected to paying fines. While this method might help pupils become more accustomed to speaking English, it comes at the great cost of overlooking and underestimating the importance of the national language. Therefore, there must be a balance in how frequently different languages are spoken and encouraged.

I believe there is an urgency for certain languages to be spoken more than they are now in various countries. For example, Newari, an indigenous language of Nepal, was once spoken by millions over the decades, if not centuries. However, due to the lack of preservation efforts and the indifference of policymakers in not integrating it into school curricula, the language is now spoken by far fewer people—a grim reality illustrating the fate of any language that is neglected.

Recently, after severe criticism for not having an international broadcasting channel, NTV Plus launched an English news channel in Nepal. With its inception, Nepal can now broadcast factual news in English and counter misinformation and disinformation aimed at tarnishing the country’s image. In the same vein, many indigenous languages also deserve the same level of attention and acknowledgment from the government. Such languages should be made more accessible to wider audiences by broadcasting programmes in them and printing materials such as books and newspapers in their languages. Only then can their future and relevance be preserved.

 It is, therefore, important for everyone to contribute to the vibrancy of languages by creating an enabling environment where they can be spoken effortlessly. Efforts must be made to restore the glory of soon-to-be-extinct languages by promoting them extensively within the country and allowing them to flourish in countless forms. Only then can they remain living languages with countless speakers—just as English is today.