Language Commission Services

Language Commission Services in Nepal

Nepal’s Language Commission (Bhasha Aayog) provides services related to language preservation, mother-tongue education, language use in government work, and language technology, as mandated by the Constitution and the Language Commission Act.

According to the citizen charter, the Commission makes available: (1) information on Commission programs/recommendations, (2) completed and upcoming plans for language preservation, promotion, and development, (3) language classes for endangered/low-speaker languages, (4) preservation and documentation work for endangered languages—from script/letter determination to word/text collection, grammar and dictionary preparation, and documentary production, (5) studies on the use of mother tongues in education and academic/creative programs in mother tongues, (6) language information-technology services such as digital/technical dictionaries and language messages in different languages, (7) information on studies and research related to languages spoken in Nepal, (8) research fellowships for postgraduate level or above, (9) publication-related services of the Commission, and (10) registration for the expert roster (individual/institutional).

The shared objective of these services is to expand linguistic access and ensure the long-term protection of linguistic heritage. Institutions that need a basis to run multilingual information/services in offices, schools, or local governments; schools exploring the feasibility of mother-tongue education; and communities whose language has become endangered can all gain practical benefits from the Commission’s studies, recommendations, records, and facilitation.

To receive services, the general arrangement is to submit an oral or written application. Many services are free of charge, and for some services the time/process is determined “as per the Commission’s decision.”

Who can receive the services?

• Citizens/communities (language, script, mother-tongue classes, study–research, publication information)

• Local governments/provinces/government bodies (language-related information/coordination/use of research)

• Students/researchers (research fellowships, study–research information)

• Institutions/experts (expert roster registration—individual or institutional)

General way to receive services

Application: Oral or written (depending on the service)

Service delivery: Within office hours

Fee: Most services listed in the citizen charter are free of charge

Time: Some services are provided the same day; for others, time is determined as per the Commission’s decision

Complaint/grievance: Secretary (as per the citizen charter)

Services as per the citizen charter (10 out of 10)

1) Information on programs implemented by the Commission and Commission recommendations

Application: Oral/written

Time: Same day

Fee: Free of charge

Responsible: Under Secretary / Planning, Monitoring and Recommendation (Section)

2) Information on work completed and future action plans for language preservation, promotion, and development

Application: Oral/written

Time: Same day

Fee: Free of charge

Responsible: Under Secretary / Language Preservation and Promotion (Section)

3) Conducting language classes for endangered/at-risk/low-speaker languages

Application: Written

Time: As per the Commission’s decision

Fee: Free of charge

Responsible: Under Secretary / Language Preservation and Promotion (Section)

4) Work related to preservation of endangered languages

Included activities: letter/script determination, word collection, text collection, writing linguistic history, grammar preparation, dictionary preparation, documentary production.

Application: Written

Time: As per the Commission’s decision

Fee: Free of charge

Responsible: Under Secretary / Language Preservation and Promotion (Section)

5) Information on the use of mother tongues in education and academic/creative programs in mother tongues

Included areas:
(a) integrated study on the use of mother-tongue education
(b) collection and documentation of folklore/oral tradition (lokvarta)
(c) preparation of bilingual materials in sign language

Application: Oral/written

Time: Same day

Fee: Free of charge

Responsible: Under Secretary / Mother-Tongue Education (Section)

6) Work related to language and information technology

Included areas:
(a) digital dictionary preparation
(b) technical dictionary preparation
(c) development of language messages in various languages

Application: Written

Time: As per the Commission’s decision

Fee: Free of charge

Responsible: Under Secretary / Language and Information Technology (Section)

7) Information on studies and research related to languages spoken in Nepal

Application: Oral/written

Time: Same day

Fee: Free of charge

Responsible: Under Secretary / Study, Research and Provincial Coordination (Section)

8) Research fellowship (for postgraduate level or above)

Required: Application in the prescribed format, photocopy of citizenship certificate, research proposal

Time: As per the Commission’s decision

Fee: Free of charge

Responsible: Under Secretary / Language Preservation and Promotion (Section)

9) Publication-related service/information of the Commission

Application: Oral/written

Time: Same day

Fee: Free of charge

Responsible: Section Officer / Store (Section)

10) Expert roster registration (individual/institutional)

Individual registration (main documents): application in the prescribed format, photocopy of citizenship certificate, Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Institutional registration (main documents): application in the prescribed format, photocopy of institution registration certificate (with renewal)

Time: As per the Commission’s decision

Fee: Free of charge (free of charge is stated in the charter)

Service-related areas visible via the website/information materials

In the Language Commission’s “Services list/Services,” at least the following service-related topics/headings are seen: information, linguistic messages, linguistic studies, expert roster, folklore/oral tradition, multilingual education, letter identification, word collection, linguistic history.

These headings are generally used for access to information/materials/forms/study materials.

Service scope of the Language Commission

Under “services to be provided/nature of work,” the following areas are mentioned:

• Policy-related work: drafting/reviewing/amending language policy; language-related acts/rules/guidelines/procedures; coordination with other commissions/bodies

• Regulatory work: monitoring/evaluating/encouraging/honouring and awarding institutions established for language promotion

• Coordination work: coordination with organizations related to language

• Monitoring and evaluation: monitoring, supervision/review of Commission programs/projects from formulation to implementation; coordination-monitoring of language-related work

• Service delivery-related work: language preservation/promotion; publication and dissemination of materials; public awareness information dissemination; organizing days/programs; facilitation/support to individuals/institutions working on language-related tasks

• Research-oriented work: studies and research for language promotion; identification and development of languages/dialects; preservation of linguistic/literary heritage; search and listing of endangered languages; script/grammar/dictionary/standardization/language literature development

• Daily administrative operation: personnel and financial administration, records/information management, inspection/control/directives, implementation of the Good Governance Act and the Right to Information

Service center (office)

The Commission’s office is stated in self-published materials as being located at Shankhamul, Kathmandu.