The shift from Nepali to English among second-generation Bhutanese Americans is a growing concern for community elders. Weekend language schools and community media attempt to maintain Nepali fluency, but the trend toward English dominance accelerates with each year.
Overview
Language loss among second-generation Bhutanese Americans is one of the most urgent cultural concerns facing the diaspora. Children raised in English-speaking environments increasingly lose fluency in Nepali[4] — the primary language of the Lhotshampa community.
Patterns
- Most second-generation children understand spoken Nepali but struggle with reading and writing
- English becomes the dominant language for peer interaction by school age
- Dzongkha is rarely spoken in the diaspora, even among families from Dzongkha-speaking regions
- Code-switching (mixing Nepali and English) is common among bilingual youth
Preservation Efforts
Community organizations have established weekend Nepali language schools in cities with large Bhutanese populations. YouTube channels and social media content in Nepali also serve as informal language maintenance tools.
References
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