Nepal
Sign Language for Nepal
I’ve been to Lumbini, Pokhara, Chitwan and Kathmandu. I’ve stayed for a month (slow traveling) during month of March – April 2018.
Quick Facts
- A perfect destination for hikers, nature and cultural lovers
- Their year is different (not 2018), and it is currently the year of 2074 in accordance to their luni-solar Vikram Samvat calendar (unlike the Gregorian calendar)
- There are no trains in Nepal! You can take buses (local mini vans or tourist buses), motorbiking, taxi or flights (Yeti airlines, Buddha Air, etc.)
- Popular places to visit: Pokhara, Kathmandu, Annapurna trekking, Mount Everest Base camp trekking, Lumbini (claimed to be a birthplace of Buddha) and more.
Culture
- Public display of affection (PDA) is uncomfortable and/or offensive to them
- Very hospitable
- Dress modestly
- Generally, they are not punctual
- They see “fat” as being healthy (a compliment), not meant as an insult
- Do not compare Nepalese to Indians
- Nepali do not like public confrontation or show anger or raising voice in public
- To be more formal or respectful (especially with elders), add ‘ji’ to the end of someone’s name.
- If you are offered a tea, do not reject it and accept it as a gracious gesture
- They have a strong emphasis on cleanliness, they believe that left hand and feet are dirty. So don’t hand something over with a left hand or touch anyone with your feet since they see it as degrading
- Do not touch their head as they considered as a purest part of the body
- You cannot share utensils, cups or food with others, they considered it as very dirty
Deaf Community
- Nepali Sign Language (NSL)
- There are many local indigenous sign languages in remote areas or villages.
- Some Hearing Nepalese see Deaf people (or other people who are differently abled*) were born or became disabled as a punishment for sins in their previous lives
- Some families see being Deaf as an embarrassment and would sometimes hide them
- Some Deaf Nepalis do not show facial expressions as it is part of their cultural norm
- Many receive little to no education
- There are only have about ~20 NSL interpreters nationwide
- Deaf Organizations: Kathmandu Association of the Deaf, National Deaf Federation Nepal, Gandaki Association of the Deaf (GAD)
- Deaf schools: Naxal School for the Deaf (first school for the Deaf), Central Higher Secondary school for the Deaf, Sindhuli Deaf School.
- Deaf related businesses: The Bakery Cafe, Sam’s One Tree Café.
What I have learned about the Deaf community in Nepal
July 23, 2018
This is one of the posts that I actually don’t feel good writing about, unlike other personal enlightening posts I’ve written about meeting the Deaf