Dr. Nawa Raj Subba
Introduction
The Pluralistic-Reality-of-Nepali-language envisions a deep weave of native voices, cultural currents and intricate policy issues. Although Nepali has always been a unifying national language, it has greatly been influenced by the inputs of various ethnic communities and multilingual cultures in its formation. This paper will identify the ways in which the native tongues have linguistically and culturally Nepali, ways in which culturalization has created an impact on its dominant identity and the way language policies, at times contentious, have both achieved and constrained this diversity. By doing that it also challenges us to reconsider Nepali not as a fixed language, but as a vibrant reflection of the plural society of Nepal.
Summary
Rejecting Nepal’s multilingual and multicultural realities, institutions such as the Academy have called for “language standarization”. This threatens to make the contribution of indigenous languages invisible and increase the dominance of Sanskrit-centric Nepali languages. This study gives reasons in favour of a pluralistic model of the Nepali language, comparing linguistic inclusivity, acceptance of indigenous words, and international language policy.
Nepal’s linguistic landscape exemplifies complex multilingualism and cultural diversity. However, the tendency of institutions, including the Academy, to reject vocabulary from indigenous languages in favor of “pure Nepali” poses a significant impediment to linguistic inclusiveness.
Focuses on three main dimensions
- Historical Fact: The Nepali language emerged from a combination of Khas, indigenous, and Sanskrit.
- Current controversy: The Sanskrit-centric language policy seeks to obsolete the contribution of indigenous languages.
- Alternative model: Simulating the multilingual policies of countries such as India and South Africa.
It presents an analysis from the perspective of the natural evolution of language, cultural justice, and linguistic rights.
Keywords on Pluralistic-Reality-of-Nepali-Language
linguistic pluralism, indigenous language, culturalization, language policy, history of Nepali language
Citation
Subba, N. R. (2025). Pluralistic Reality of The Nepali Language: Indigenous Linguistic Contributions, Culturalization, and Linguistic Policy Controversies. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15613121