UNESCO's International Mother Language Day
The Nepalese Community in Hong Kong
METHODOLOGY
Our project is mainly based on an interview conducted with a Nepalese family living in Hong Kong. In addition, field observations were carried out in Jordan area in which the Nepalese community settles in Hong Kong other than Kam Tin in Yuen Long.
Interview
Field Observations
The face-to-face interview is conducted with three of the family members in a relaxing atmosphere at the home of the Nepalese family. The interview revealed the major reason why there is settlement the Nepalese in Hong Kong in the old days and why they want to continue their living in in Hong Kong having the identities of Hong Kong permanent resident.
The family members were interviewed on their language choices (Cantonese, English and Nepalese etc.) as well as their language attitudes. Apart from language choices, we are also interested in the networking of the family and their interactions with the local community (eg. how they get adapted to the environment in Hong Kong).
Field observations were carried out exclusively in Jordan area and can be classified into 4 catergories: Nepalese shops, playgrounds for children, education and tradtitional celebration. The data obtained in the field observations is closely related to Social Network Theory which is crucial in explaining why such strong bondings are formed among the Nepalese community in Hong Kong in conjunction with their interactions with the locals. Other than that, a deeper exploration of the area also gives us hints on the success of the preservation of their native language in a foreign context like in Hong Kong.