Evolving Trends in Sociolinguistic Research in Nepal
Abstract
This paper provides an overview of different trends in sociolinguistic studies in Nepal from a socio-historical perspective, based on available data, research, and publications. It briefly outlines and critically assesses research conducted through sociolinguistic surveys of Nepalese languages from 2008 to 2022 by various institutions. The paper then describes the current sociolinguistic situation in Nepal, its impacts, and its context within the changing scenario of multilingualism. It highlights various aspects of applied linguistics and their significance in preserving and protecting minority languages in Nepal’s unique language contact situations. The overview suggests that the process of language officialization and management has often been a source of conflict in many local areas, where people speaking different languages share educational materials in the same classroom.
Submitted: Oct. 7, 2025 | Accepted: Nov. 3, 2025 | Published Dec. 23, 2025 | Language: en
Keywords Contact and conflict • Policy • LiNSuN • Change • Survey
Copyright © 2025 Bhim Lal Gautam. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/bhasha/2785-5953/2025/02/003