Should Nepal's official language be English? I am not saying this because I'm oh so in love with western civilisation, quite the contrary. The fact of the matter is, I hate when these uppity rich city folks act western in the name of sophistication. But that's the topic for another day.

I pose this question because we are going through ethnic turmoil, there are people like Padma Ratna Tuladhar (good guy?) and also guys like Ang Kaji Sherpa (obviously a racist prick), and Krishna Bhattachan (another anti-Hindu) denouncing Nepali language as Khas language. Since they have been very successful in denigrating Khas Brahmin and Chettry (BC, hereafter) people of Nepal, which has resulted in widespread hatred toward BC. Now, I personally think Tuladhar is an activist who just wants to preserve his culture and language, which is absolutely awesome. But I highly doubt people like Ang and Krishna have that kind of agenda.

I think it is not feasible for a country like ours to keep translating all the documents (people are asking their mother tongue to be official language in their respected areas as well) for a poor nation like ours, so why not make English our official language, as it is not Khas people's language, right? Our literate population also know English, so the competition would be fair I suppose (at least at the higher officer level)? And non-gazetted level government workers can work in their own mother tongue?

I don't know, just throwing in some ideas?

My opinion. Official language should be Nepali and English. English of Nepali people in general ( I am not talking about students from Boarding school) is terrible in Speaking part. We need to focus on communication in schools.

Yes. What I want to focus on is that Adhibashi, Janajati, and Madeshi people generally (especially 22 daliya partyharu) have some sort of mild animosity towards Nepali language, which is why this thread in the first place.

We can give Nepali the same status as any other Nepali national languages, and it can also be official in the federal level, just like how Newa can be official language of Newa Province, and Maithili of Mithila Province etc. But on a country level, can English and English alone not be official language of Nepal? You have to understand that there is a growing anoimosity of Adhibashi, Janajati, and Madeshi people towards anything Khas, be it their language, culture, religion, you name it. They are even demanding to change the flag, and slaughter of cow.

Anyone else, please throw in your advices and discussions without using racial/ethnic slurs and derogatory comments. Instigation of violence and animosity between different groups is the last thing Nepal wants right now.

Looks like the division of Nepal has already started. When people become so short-sighted that they cannot see beyond their own agenda is when the country breaks into pieces.
Can someone teach these nepalese fools that advocating federalisme based on ethnicity will not only divide the country but will also wipe-out any identity we have so far managed to define as "nepalese"? Can someone make them look towards how India functions? Hindi is their official language whereas there are states where the local language is more common. How about France? France had many ethnicities with each of them having their own culture, language as rich or richer that what Nepal might be able to put together, but they decided that they needed a common language to unite the people. French was spoken in the palace but that did not stop french peasants from acknowleding it as the official language of their country. And there isn't anyone or hasn't been anyone more violent towards their ruling class than french peasants. They chopped off the heads of thousands of royalists including their king when kings were considered direct descendants from Gods.

Monkies don't know how to build. They only know how to destroy.

I understand, but there is no turning back here. Our inept and incompetent leaders have done this, and look at them, most of them are Khas people, so it's not so difficult to ignite fire. I don't know who is igniting fire, maybe people like Ang Kagi, but the damage is done. The only thing that can stop this is war, I mean some sort of war that will force Nepalese people to unite. They are too blind to see what these Abrahamic Religions do. Millions and millions of hindus were killed or displaced in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Now people like Ang Kagi are bashing Hindu, probably the most tolerant religion (although it has had its fair share of baddies, but it has more to do with culture, but it's debatable) along with Buddhism. Now even Buddhists are against Hindus. What the fuck is happening in Nepal? I feel hopeless. People treat Madeshi people like shit, people treat Khas like shit, people treat Dalits like shit, people treat each other like shit, and everyone talks about starting armed revolutions. Why the fuck can't army intervene? Why can't army take control? Why can't Nepal Army pick all the gunda netas and kill them and save the fate of Nepal and Nepalese? It is depressing!

Sorry about the rant! Now back to the question. English? Anyone?

Not sure about the level of your frustration, but the points you are laying out from Why can't army take control to Making english official language are all full of craps. Be realistic, we r living in a real world, what u r saying applies only to an ideal world.

1. English as an official language
10% of people go to good schools n talk in english well does not mean everyone can speak, understand or write in Englush. English lai official language banaudaima sabaile english bolna janchha?? Lekhna janchha??? English lai official language banaunu bhaneko each n every govermnental kura english ma lekhnu ho? Tyo chahi automatic hunchha?? Public schools ko teacherlai sabailai english ma padhauna aauchha?? Jaha minister bolayera book launch garda " Book Lunch Program" lekhchha tei englush official language??? What makes u think that making english an official language unites all races in our country???

What we need is enhancing english in rural areas and not only in big cities. May be decades frm now when over 70% if people understand n write/speak english, we can think of making English as second language but not official.

2. Army taking control
Army le control gardaima coutry develop hunchha??? Give me the name of one country where army has taken control and all violence has stopped and country has been developed.

Frustration sabaima hunchha hamro politicians dekhi, but tesko solution hawa guff diyera haina, kunai realistic sochai rakhera garnuparchha.

Why are you guys so eager to make or suggest english as the official language of Nepal? Why not chinese since China is becoming very influtential? Why not spanish? Why not french or german? What's wrong with you guys? We have our own language "nepali". Just make that the official language. If you want to learn a second language then go for it but do not suggest to make your second language the official language of the country. Otherwise, let's all convert to christanity, call ourselves, John, Harry and Cindy. I hear some nepalese saying the only way for Nepal to get out of mess is for the US or some European country to take over Nepal for a period of time. Why? Don't you guys believe in yourselves? Do you guys deem yourselves so incompetant? Or have you gotton so used to foriegn countries doing everything for us that all you have now learnt to do is beg? Come on man, come back to Nepal and do something here. Even if you can't change the country, you can at least change yourself, now that you have seen how things are done in developed countries. Get back in the line even if you know the guy care of the line. Show some integrity and soldarity againts injustice and let's develope the country even if it is at a low level. Everything counts. Don't suffer from inferiority complex. I know in our culture we like to criticise all the time, and that is probably how you were brought up. but don't let that be the norm. You are better than that. Just because you were told that you were "kam-nalagney" by everyone around you that you have to believe in it.

Hi Hurray. I completely understand. I totally agree with you. We all need to return to give something back to our own country. Thats why I am returning within a couple of years. I will apply what I learned in Nepal. After coming to the US, I realized, how easy to work in own country. you feel more confident, more relaxed.

My opinion was keeping Nepali as official language and add English. Which can help to for general people to communicate outside Nepal. that was my idea which may not be feasible as well.

@NY2; I know what you mean, but I guess you missed my point. Nepal ma Nepali bolna na aauni ko percentage pani aver 40% nai chha, and don't forget most of them can't even read and write. But that was not the argument. The argument was, since so many of our people hate this Nepali language, what is the alternate to it, aba aru language lai official language banaunu bhaneko ta kalpanai garnu pardaina due to obvious reasons, but even government schools are using English as their medium. But you have to read all my post from the top. Arko kura, I know Army le rule gareko most of the desh haru develop chhaina, but you have to realize that develop bhaneko 3-5 barsa mai hundaina. It is about sending message. Army le rule garyo bhandai ma direct rule bhanni hundaina, all I am talking about is ranking order, aile COAS le pani neta tauke haru lai salam garnu parchha, but I want army to be on the top (like colonels and generals), so that netas don't have hegemony.

@Hurray; I guess you also jumped into conclusion without reading my points. You guys live outside Nepal so you don't know what the frak is happening here. It's like war on ethnicity and language, culture and religion. I know it's useless, but our people are pretty stupid also. I suggestion was just to calm the storm. If so many Nepali have this hatred towards Nepali language, why not English? That was the point.

But yes, I am totally all for whatever you guys said about starting from grass root level. I am just worried that all these old folks will brain wash their children into believing something by blowing it way out of proportion. I know Nepal ko caste system etc is evil, and I am not no way, shape or form, trying to defend it, but comparing it with black slavery by white is preposterous. Jay Nepal.

ya English should be

Chandra Surya "The argument was, since so many of our people hate this Nepali language,"
Are you sure? Just because few idiots like Ang Kagi say it loud does not make it a general sentiment. Our caste system is nothing compared to the one in India. We are way way more liberal. If we can't change the caste system at a national level, let's change it at grass-root level. Change yourself, like Hurray said. Let your brother, sister, cousin, children marry someone from so called "lower caste". Correct your parents, relatives when they have a biased view towards other castes.

@ghampani -- haha, really? "Let your brother, sister, cousin, children marry someone from so called "lower caste". Correct your parents, relatives when they have a biased view towards other castes."
Dude, with whom my sisters, or brothers marry is not not concern, if they are good choice, there's nothing we can do. And, BTW, just forcing them to marry with someone they don't want to get married to is not going to solve the issue. I myself am married to Tamang, but I'm but bragging because whom I marry should not be anyone's concern.

Like you already said, we don't have what India has, but even so, like I said, Ang Kaji and the likes are blowing it wayyyy out of proportion to fit their agenda, and it IS something we need to be concerned about. Our Nepalese people are docile, they can easily be bent, case in point, many poor Hindus or Buddhists who are now Christians. Again, it's someones personal choice, it's their freedom, but demonising someones faith to lure them into theirs is just a worse as preventing someone's freedom of practising whatever religions they see fit.

That's not the case. I am talking about language. You have to first understand, Nepali as a language is only spoken by a little over 40% of the population (as their mother tongue). Let's concentrate on that, shall we?

And believe me, isn't not just some lunatics like Ang Kaji, there are MANY of them. The whole Terai belt being one, and the whole Limbuwan being the other. I'm sure Sherpa people also fit into this category. Not to mention the whole British Army lahure haru. (Disclaimer: I'm generalising based on the majority).

And just so everyone knows, I am writing this from Nepal. Graduated from one of the top universities in Scotland, but I came back because I wanted to do something here, but I am unemployed. They say, yo bhayena, tyo bhayena, migration certificate khai, provisional khai, transcript ma khai percentage, ke ho tyo credit point, khai character certificate, etc. Sarkari kaam ko ta kalpanai nagare hunchha. Jhamela matra. I held my marriage just to get into army, but army ma pani testai bhayo, now I am married. Aile inspector ma apply garda ni testai bhayo. Bank haru le pani yahaan ho student lai prathamikta dinchha.

So, yes, I am in Nepal. Also, to anyone who is planning to return to Nepal, make sure you do this:

1. Get a migration certificate (in case you want to join Army, or study here. The university won't understand what the heck you are talking about, but show them your HSEB and ask them to make something like that)
2. Provision (if you are awaiting your convocation)
3. Character Certificate
4. And get a professional work experience (not for army, age limit: Officer Cadet ko lagi 24 is max if you have Bachelors)
5. Milchha bhani transcript lai nepalikaran garna lagaunu, with all those percentage and division etc.

I don't want you guys to go through what I went. So, you're welcome.

Did u go back to Nepal coz u wanted 2 do something in Nepal or coz u couldn't get any job or higher studies in Scotland?? Based on wat u r saying, the only things u want 2 do in Nepal r make English an official language and give Army the full power, a fruitless and nonsensical vision. No wonder why u r still unemployed. Get over it n move on, be a Nepalese.

How about hindi? Almost everybody in Nepal understands it and most of them can even speak. With little bit of effort they can all be fluent.
So Hindi should be nepal's national language.

Alright, I give up! I failed to setup a decent debate on language status in Nepal, but you guys are hell bent on demoralising me by brining up useless stuffs into it. You guys win, I loose. I am sorry if I hurt anyone's sentiments. That wasn't my intention, my intentions were good. You guys have a great day and stay safe. Jay Nepal.

Yes everyone speak in English when they get drunk so it is a good idea.

Whether the official language is Hindi or Nepali, it's the same thing. A Hindi speaking individual can easily overcome the language barrier in Nepal and the same thing applies to a Nepali menial job-seeker in India. In the last few decades, I have noticed more and more Hindi words are making their way into the Nepali language lexicon.

A few examples:
बाबु has been replaced with पीताजी! ( See a story headline written by our very own Rahulvai)
छत्पतायेर has been replaced with तद्पायेरा ( See the blog on Gadhimaai Hypocrisy)
तिहार has been replaced with दीपावली ( See the Tihar related articles)
पिर has been replaced with परेशानी (Human life is full of it no matter where you live).

I bet sooner or later more Nepali with understand,speak, and write Hindi language better than Nepali. Baanu Bakta's inflated contribution to Nepali language will go in vain. More Nepali people will be listening to more Hindi movie characters' speak than their Members of Parliament do. Even the rappers Lil Wayne and Drake have already mentioned feeling the 'Bollywood Flow', 'Slumdog Millioanire' in their songs.

Ang Kaji Sherpa is a hero to the Indigenous communities. Like everybody else he is not perfect and might go overboard at times. Personally, I believe we need to make the past wrongs right and move forward with a sense of justice and unity. To the Hindus out there, if you want your religion to survive into the 22nd century and avoid over-run by Christianity or Islam, you better start adapting it to what your true conscience tells you instead of getting into that defensive hat whenever a religious hazard goes public on social media.

Back to topic, we need to start using English and Nepali in all public schools at all grade levels. Then after a specific grace period, English and Nepali both should be official languages at all levels of the government especially when it comes to paperworks and documents.

English and Nepal can both be the official language of Nepal but with preference to Nepali.

The literacy rate of Nepal is 49 pc which means,almost half of the population have no education in any form but approx.all could speak Nepali native language with some mix of regional dialect,without a problem and are more comfortable to communicate in it.With such scenario,the idea of officializing English in Nepal would be a far-flung pipe dream;but,it is not an impossible supposition.The young generation in cities and mostly in urban places, might have came across it genially,but a major part of people are still devoid of systematic education and others human requirements.

English is assuredly an exotic language in Nepal and it will be tough for others to get it,in their own places and remote surroundings,while students in villages could find it surprising,under roofless classes and missing teacher.If proper education is served in all areas--mountain tops,hilly regions and terai belt--then,it will be something of a nearby object, which is fluently accessible to all citizenry and people could handle and apply it,as they prefer.Notwithstanding the fact that,Nepali language itself have a big volume of its own interesting world,inseperably attached among its dwellers and permanent residents,no matter how brief the history is,comparing with other lingua franca.