UNESCO's International Mother Language Day
The Nepalese Community in Hong Kong
Father - Mr. Rana
We interviewed the Rana's who is a four-member Nepalese family consisting of two generations. We have interviewed three of the family members. Let's learn more about them!
The Rana's family come from Bokhara (a large city in Western part of Nepal) where many lakes and mountains can be found. They belong to the group of Magar in Nepal. However, they do not speak Magar language. Their home dialect is Nepali. As other residents living in the western part, they only speak Nepali while those living in the east can also speak different dialects.
Profiles of Interviewees
Mrs. Rana was born in Hong Kong and educated in Nepal, following the practice of many local Nepalese families#. Her father and grandfather are Gurhka soldiers in Hong Kong and therefore the family was rooted here. Mrs. Rana and her husband met each other and got married in Nepal. They left Nepal as it was more difficult to find a job there. Before returning to Hong Kong, the couple had lived in Tokyo for ten years. Mrs. Rana now works in a Chinese restaurant in Mong Kok.
Language Profile: Nepali, Japanese, Cantonese
Mr. Rana was born and educated in Nepal before meeting Mrs. Rana. His father was in the employed Indian soldier who went back to India later. Mr. Rana worked in a Tokyo restaurant for ten years and the couple has been to Hong Kong for seven years. Mr. Rana currently works as a chef in a Japanese restaurant in Quarry Bay.
Language Profile: Nepali, English, Japanese, Cantonese
Iruna was born in Hong Kong and educated in Nepal#. Upon her graduation from the university in Nepal, Iruna moved back to Hong Kong one year ago. She currently works as a research assistant in the university.
Language Profile: Nepali, English, Cantonese
# It was a usual practice for local Nepalese people to born in Hong Kong but go back to Nepal for education to acquire their own culture and language. Having strong bonds with one another, relatives in Nepal usually help take care of the child whose parents are in Hong Kong.
Mother - Mrs Rana
Iruna