Language Attitudes and Language Practice in the Manang Valley of Nepal

With Dr. Kristine Hildebrandt

In this talk, Dr. Hildebrandt will discuss the sociolinguistic geography of the Manang District of Nepal. Four languages—Gurung, Nar-Phu, Manange and Gyalsumdo—have traditionally co-existed in the confines of this inner Himalayan valley. Over the past ten years, rapid social, cultural, political and economic change have brought about geographic population movement and language displacement. Dr. Hildebrandt will briefly illustrate some of the distinctive structural characteristics of these languages. She will then go on to show how attitudes towards and use of the minority and majority languages in the valley are influenced by spatial factors, social factors (gender, age, education level, occupation and socio-economic status) and linguistic vitality—ranging from highly endangered to more robust. Finally, she considers how language attitudes and language practice may affect language viability over time.

 

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Helmerich Browsing Room, OSU Library

Reception to Follow

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About Dr. Hildebrandt

Dr. Hildebrandt is an associate professor of Linguistics in the Department of English Language and Literature at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She has been studying and documenting endangered minority languages in Nepal for over 20 years.