Issues of Language Rights: Class 12 Optional English
Minority Language Identity
Minority languages are crucial for preserving cultural values, traditions, and ethnic identity. A person’s identity is often recognised more by the language they speak than the place they live. When a minority language disappears, the culture and heritage of that group also vanish. Therefore, protecting and passing minority languages to future generations is vital for the survival of both identity and culture.
Mother Tongue Education
Mother tongue is the first language a child learns at home, which may differ from the language spoken by parents. Studies and UNESCO (1953) emphasise that children learn best in their mother tongue because it helps them understand concepts more effectively. Despite this, millions of children worldwide are educated in dominant or foreign languages. In Nepal, public schools mainly use Nepali, while private schools focus on English. Although mother tongue education is a child’s right, it remains neglected, often limited to slogans rather than practice.
Language Politics
Language politics refers to how language is used as a tool for power, control, and influence in society. Governments often promote one language as official, while minority languages are ignored or suppressed. This creates inequality in education, jobs, and public participation. In Nepal, the Constitution of 2015 recognises all mother tongues as national languages but designates Nepali in Devanagari script as the official language. Historical examples include the Panchayat regime’s “One language, one nation” policy, which undermined minority languages. Language politics also covers issues such as gender-biased words like “chairman” and terms that negatively label certain groups.