Career Gains and Identity Loss: The Effects of English in the Nepali Hinterlands

Authors

  • Ashok Raj Khati Tribhuvan University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/nelta.v18i1-2.10332

Keywords:

English as a global language, Local language, EFL teachers, Linguistic identity, Multilingual community

Abstract

English in developing countries like Nepal has played a crucial role in increasing career and economic opportunities. It has provided access to the information and networks that are vital in building and maintaining economic links. On the other hand, there is an emerging issue of its threat to the local languages because of the massive use of English in different spheres of Nepalese lives. The major focus of the article is on how English has become instrumental in creating opportunities among multilingual communities and what perception these communities hold towards English and the development of local languages by incorporating the perspectives of EFL teachers from multilingual backgrounds and researcher’s own understanding of the context. The paper argues that English has unquestionably become instrumental in promoting career and economic opportunities, and the foremost reasons behind the decline of many local languages are more of political, cultural and economy guided in nature.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nelta.v18i1-2.10332  

Journal of NELTA, Vol 18 No. 1-2, December 2013; 77-91

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Author Biography

Ashok Raj Khati, Tribhuvan University

Ashok Raj Khati is a teaching assistant at Tribhuvan University Nepal. He has been associated with English language education (ELE) for a decade. Mr. Khati is a former central committee member of Nepal English Language Teachers’ Association (NELTA). He also served NELTA in the capacity of branch chair in Ramechhap for two tenures. Currently, he is pursuing his MPhil in English language education from Kathmandu University. His major area of interest includes the scholarship of English as a global language.

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Published

2014-05-02

How to Cite

Khati, A. R. (2014). Career Gains and Identity Loss: The Effects of English in the Nepali Hinterlands. Journal of NELTA, 18(1-2), 77–91. https://doi.org/10.3126/nelta.v18i1-2.10332

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 1-2 (2013)

Section

Articles

License

© Nepal English Language Teachers’ Association (NELTA)

Authors are required to transfer their copyright to the Nepal English Language Teachers' Association (NELTA)

The Journal of NELTA is copyright by Nepal English Language Teachers’ Association (NELTA). Apart from citing/referencing in academic works, no part of any materials may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from its copyright owner – NELTA. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights may be addressed to NELTA or the editorial board at neltaeditorialboard@gmail.com.