Linguistics in political times

The biodiversity of languages in Nepal, where 123 languages are spoken, is of universal interest.

The Linguistic Society of Nepal held its 42nd annual conference at Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur via zoom on November 26-27, 2021. It was addressed by academics, writers and language researchers, and participated in by linguists from home and abroad. This conference was happening at a time when tens of thousands of people were converging on a location to hold a political jamboree, and similar other meetings are in waiting. These are political times. As an insider, memories of the Linguistic Society have inundated me. I feel how important this academic, voluntary and prestigious organisation has continued to work despite the hardships of the times and the challenges of history. I realise the continuum maintained by this society is the result of this organisation's modus operandi. It always remained outside the influence of those who use organisations either as political platforms or as a means of unfairly earning money. It has survived because it is not aligned to either.