The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between vietnamese and english ( viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives)

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI COLLEGE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES POSTGRADUATE DEPARTMENT 0O0 - GIÁP THỊ BÍCH HẠNH THE LANGUAGE MIXING PHENOMENA IN VERBAL COMMUNICATIVE PROCESS BETWEEN VIETNAMESE AND ENGLISH (VIEWED FROM LANGUAGE, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL PERPECTIVES) HIỆN TƯỢNG PHA TRỘN NGƠN NGỮ TRONG Q TRÌNH GIAO TIẾP BẰNG LỜI GIỮA TIẾNG VIỆT VÀ TIẾNG ANH (NHÌN TỪ GĨC ĐỘ NGƠN NGỮ, VĂN HĨA VÀ XÃ HỘI) PROGRAM I MA MINOR THESIS Major: Linguistics Code: 60 22 15 Hanoi, 2009 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, HANOI COLLEGE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES POSTGRADUATE DEPARTMENT 0O0 - GIÁP THỊ BÍCH HẠNH THE LANGUAGE MIXING PHENOMENA IN VERBAL COMMUNICATIVE PROCESS BETWEEN VIETNAMESE AND ENGLISH (VIEWED FROM LANGUAGE, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL PERPECTIVES) HIỆN TƯỢNG PHA TRỘN NGƠN NGỮ TRONG Q TRÌNH GIAO TIẾP BẰNG LỜI GIỮA TIẾNG VIỆT VÀ TIẾNG ANH (NHÌN TỪ GĨC ĐỘ NGƠN NGỮ, VĂN HĨA VÀ XÃ HỘI) PROGRAM I MA MINOR THESIS Major: Linguistics Code: 60 22 15 Supervisor: Assoc Prof Dr Nguyễn Văn Độ Hanoi, 2009 MA Minor Thesis - The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English (viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives) _ _ TABLE OF CONTENTS PART A – INTRODUCTION I Rationale II Aims of the study III Scope of the study IV Methodology V Design of the study PART B – DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER I: THEORITICAL BACKGOUND I.1 Comparison of languages and cultures I.2 Borrowing (language) and pidgin I.2.1 What is borrowing? I.2.2 What is pidgin? I.3 Relationship between language, culture and society CHAPTER II: BASIC FEATURES OF THE VIETNAMESE AND 10 ENGLISH MIXING PHENOMENA 10 II.1 Morphological features 10 II.1.1 Fully English forms 11 II.1.2 Half English-half Vietnamese 13 II.2 Phonological features 14 I.2.1 Fully English pronunciation 14 II.2.1 Half English – half Vietnamese pronunciation 15 II.3 Grammatical features 16 II.3.1 Function as nouns 16 II.3.2 Function as verbs 17 II.3.3 Function as adjectives 17 CHAPTER III: DISCUSSIONS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR SOLUTION 18 III.1 Origin of Vietnamese and English mixing phenomena 18 _ _ Giáp Thị Bích Hạnh – K15A - iv- MA Minor Thesis - The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English (viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives) _ _ III.2 Impacts of Vietnamese and English mixing phenomena 19 III.2.1 Positive impacts 19 III.2.2 Negative impacts 20 III.3 Ages and different views on Vietnamese -English mixing phenomena 21 III.3.1 Ages and frequency of using Vietnamese-English mixing 22 III.3.2 Ages and different views on Vietnamese - English mixing phenomena 25 III.4 Suggestions for solution 28 PART C: CONCLUSION 31 I Summary of the findings 31 II Suggestions for further study 32 BIBLIOGRAPHY 34 APPENDIX A I _ _ Giáp Thị Bích Hạnh – K15A - v- MA Minor Thesis - The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English (viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives) _ _ TABLES AND CHARTS Table – Frequency of using Vietnamese-English mixing by people under 35 Chart – Distribution of frequency of using Vietnamese-English mixing by people under 35 Table – Frequency of using Vietnamese-English mixing by people under from 35 to 50 Chart – Distribution of frequency of using Vietnames-Eng 50 Table – Frequency of using Vietnamese-English mixing by people above 50 Chart – Distribution of frequency of using Vietnamese-En Table - Ages and English qualification Chart – Ages and different views on Vietnamese – English _ _ Giáp Thị Bích Hạnh – K15A - vi- MA Minor Thesis - The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English (viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives) _ _ PART A – INTRODUCTION I Rationale As from implementation of renovation, then joining in WTO, Vietnam has much more chance of communicating with and learning people from other countries, however, we have been facing many challenges One of the challenges is how to preserve the traditional culture from negative effects of other cultures during the process of integration The communication and use of language in communication is a cultural feature of the whole culture More and more foreigners come Vietnam for different purposes such as business, tourism, working, etc Therefore, the use of foreign language in communication, especially the international language as English, is indispensable Wherever you go, wherever you are, you can hear English words used by many Vietnamese people, especially the young ones at work, at home, on street such as ok, bye bye, stress, email, fan, chat, game, tuổi teen, sale off, shop, shopping, etc or sentences like: “- Thằng cha trơng giống gay lắm, chẳng thấy manly chút - Cần manly Biết gallant nhiều money OK rồi!” Not only at speaking, such sentences are also presented in written, especially in emails Instead of saying “Kính gửi/chào bà H/ơng D”, they write “Dear/Hi Ms H/Mr D” and the content of the email is written in Vietnamese, but at the end of the email under their full name is their titles at work in English like: HR Manager, PR Manager, Sales Executive, … and the good bye like Best regards, Pls contact, …or the content of the email only need “FYI” (For your information) Thanks to the integration process, Vietnamese people have been accessed to diversified products with competitive and reasonable prices More and more producers produce the same product, so the competitiveness is fierce They always change the labels, packages and advertise noisily on mass media I not want to discuss about the quality of the products here, I just want to discuss about the language used for the names, slogans, labels and on the packages of many products in Vietnam current market are English, even many products are _ _ Giáp Thị Bích Hạnh – K15A MA Minor Thesis - The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English (viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives) _ _ made in Vietnam and its producers are Vietnamese such as Vinatext mart, Vinatexco, Fivimart, hapro, Lavi, Diana 4teen, safeguard, lifebuoy, kotex xì-tin, saigontourist, FPT Telecom, khaisilk, vietravel, vinamilk, etc For example, the advertisements for soft drink: - “Trà barley không độ - Thức uống thiếu cho bữa ăn” (Marketing & Family Magazine issued on March 2008, pp.9) - “Number Juicie – căng tràn tươi mát” (Marketing & Family Magazine issued on March 2008, pp.13) - “Khăn giấy ướt All care – Chăm sóc cho gia đình (Marketing & Family Magazine issued on March 2008, pp.80) Or the advertisement of Diana on Television: “Diana 4teen, Hello ngày mới”; “Bobby freshHiểu điều bé yêu chưa nói”; Or “Xmen-Đàn ơng đích thực”, etc The reason for this is originated from the psychology of most of Vietnamese people that the imported products are always better than the domestic ones The producers grasp the psychology and produce the goods with the use of English for their products of names, slogans, packages… The use of Vietnamese in mix with English like this becomes more and more popular in our society, and it is not only used by ordinary people but also used on mass media There are many different ideas and discussions around these phenomena Anyway, it keeps spreading and has both positive and negative impacts on our mother tongue, culture and, to some extent, our society Whatever the reasons are, and whatever we should to preserve the purity of our mother tongue and maintain our cultural and national values This is the main reason why I have chosen the title “The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English (viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives)” for my Thesis It is expected to be an interesting and helpful material for those who care for the purity of the mother tongue and national cultural values while using a foreign language like English Giáp Thị Bích Hạnh – K15A MA Minor Thesis - The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English (viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives) _ _ II Aims of the study The study is mainly aimed at: - Pointing out the spread of the language mixing phenomena between English and Vietnamese in verbal communicative process and the impacts of the phenomena on the culture and society; - Characterizing these phenomena; - Suggesting ways to improve the situation in Vietnam III Scope of the study Within the framework of a MA Minor Thesis, I will focus on the Vietnamese and English mixing phenomena in the following fields: - Science and technology; - Mass media; - Daily life The study will rather focus on getting the ideas from people at different ages but not at different social classes IV Methodology The Thesis is done by the following methods:    Comparative method Descriptive method Statistical method These methods are used in carefully collecting materials from various sources to have a comprehensive view on the positive and negative sides of the language mixing phenomena between English and Vietnamese in Vietnam Society Besides, the discussions and talks with people, friends at different ages and careers bring me more ideas on developing the study Moreover, the analysis of survey questionnaire over 90 people helps the study more persuasive and objective Last but not least, the study is carried out based on the observation and cherishable idea of the author for a long time _ _ Giáp Thị Bích Hạnh – K15A MA Minor Thesis - The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English (viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives) _ _ V Design of the study The study is divided into three main parts: PART A: INTRODUCTION This part includes the rationale for choosing the topic, the aims, the scope, the methodology and the design of the study PART B: DEVELOPMENT This part contains the main content of the study and is divided into three chapters: Chapter I: Theoretical background I.1 Comparison of languages and cultures I.2 Borrowing (language) and pidgin I.3 Relationship between language, culture and society Chapter II: Basic features of Vietnamese and English mixing phenomena II.1 Morphological features II.2 Phonological features II.3 Grammatical features Chapter III: Discussions and suggestions for solution III.1 Origin of Vietnamese – English mixing phenomena III.2 Impacts of Vietnamese – English mixing phenomena III.3 Ages and different views on Vietnamese – English mixing phenomena III.4 Suggestions for solutions PART C: CONCLUSION This part recapitulates the main findings of the study and draws out the significance of the study and gives out some suggestions for further study _ _ Giáp Thị Bích Hạnh – K15A MA Minor Thesis - The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English (viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives) _ _ o Entertainment o Advertisement o Tourism o …  In terms of the analysis, the study can be resolved by dividing people in different groups based on: o Social classes/Education level o Career o Gender Furthermore, during the process of Thesis development, I recogize a very interesting use of English by young people, who are called “teen” On their forum, beside Vietnamese – English mixing, it is easy to read the “strange” English like: - No table (Miễn bàn) - Sugar i i go, sugar you you go (Đường em em đi, đường anh anh đi) - I wanna toilet kiss you (Anh muốn cầu hôn em) - No four go (Vô tư đi) - Know die now (Biết chết liền) - Ugly tiger (Xấu hổ) - Like is afternoon (Thích chiều) - Sugar sugar a hero man (Đường đường đấng anh hùng) - No I love you (Không iu tui) - No dare where (Hổng dám đâu) - Star I miss, mono (Vì tơi cô đơn) - Sugar sugar ajinomoto ajinomoto The study has been completed to the best of author‟s effort; however, shortcomings and mistakes are inevitable Every comment and criticism from readers would be highly appreciated _ _ Giáp Thị Bích Hạnh – K15A MA Minor Thesis - The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English (viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives) _ _ BIBLIOGRAPHY English Mark Aronoff and Kirsten Fudeman (2004), What is morphology, Blackwell Publishing, United Kingdom Kramsch C (2000), Language and Cultures, OUP, Oxford Richard Holeton (1995), Encountering Cultures in a changing world, Prentice Hall Francis Katamba (2003), Morphology: Critical Concepts in Linguistics, Routledge, London Robert Lado (1960), Linguistics across Cultures – Applied Linguistics for Language Teachers, Ann Arbor- The University of Michigan Press Karen Risager (2006), Language and Culture – Global Flows and Local Complexity, Multilingual Matter LTD Tuan Duc Vuong and John Moore (1994), Colloquial Vietnamese – A complete Language Course, Routledge, London Vietnamese Nguyễn Đăng Bình (2002), Luận án Tiến sĩ ngữ văn, Trung tâm khoa học – xã hội nhân văn Quốc gia, Viện ngôn ngữ học Mỹ Dung, Ngơn ngữ Viết “nhiễm bệnh” sính từ ngoại, Báo Người lao động điện tử, http://www.nld.com.vn 10 Trần Quang Đại (2008), Giữ gìn sáng Tiếng Việt, http://dantri.com.vn 11 Nguyen Van Do (2007), Language, Culture and Society, Course Package, CFL, VNU, Hanoi 12 Nguyễn Văn Độ (2004), Tìm hiểu mối liên hệ Ngơn ngữ - Văn hóa, NXB ĐH Quốc gia Hà Nội, Hà Nội 13 Dương Quang (2005), Ngôn ngữ viết “nhiễm bệnh” sính từ ngoại, Báo Người lao động điện tử, issued on Tuesday, 25 January 2005, http://www.nld.com.vn/110180P0C1030/ngon-ngu-viet-cung-nhiem-benh-sinh-tungoai.htm _ _ Giáp Thị Bích Hạnh – K15A MA Minor Thesis - The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English (viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives) _ _ 14 Ha Cam Tam, English Phonetics and Phonology, Course Package, CFL, VNU, Hanoi 15 Phạm Văn Tình, Ngơn ngữ thời mở cửa, hội nhập: Nên có nên không?, Trung tâm từ điển học Vietlex 16 Vietnamnet, Châu Âu chống lại xâm lăng tiếng Anh, http://vietnamnet.vn/thegioi/2004/12/351455/ _ _ Giáp Thị Bích Hạnh – K15A MA Minor Thesis – The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives _ _ APPENDIX A SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE This survey is designed for my research on “The language mixing phenomenon in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English (viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives)” The survey is used for the analysis of a MA Thesis Your assistance in completing the following items is highly appreciated A Please answer the following questions below or tick (√) where appropriate What is your year of birth? Your education level: High-school graduate Other levels: What is your job? Your English qualification: Excellent B Please tick (√) where appropriate (you can choose more than one opinion) or give your own opinion: How often you use English words mixing with Vietnamese at work and in your daily life? For example, “Anh chuyên gia PRO” (Anh chuyên gia chuyên nghiệp), “Chúng ta cần thêm feedback (thông tin phản hồi) người tiêu dùng để cải tiến sản phẩm”, “Cuối tuần tụi shopping nhé” (Cuối tuần tụi mua sắm nhé), etc… Always Sometimes Rarely Never _ _ Giáp Thị Bích Hạnh – K15A - I- MA Minor Thesis – The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives _ _ If yes, please list some common English words you often mix with Vietnamese as speaking and writing Vietnamese: _ _ _ _ _ _ What you think are the reasons of the language mixing phenomenon between English and Vietnamese? The implementation of open-door policy, economic and cultural integration and exchange with other countries in world The creation of professional translators and interpreters Lack of the equivalent Vietnamese words The ideology of highly appreciating alien values Other reasons: _ _ _ _ _ _ On our mass media like television, radio, newspapers, etc…, our journalists, broadcasters, Master of Ceremonies (MC) also use many English words mixing with Vietnamese such as fair play, fan hâm mộ, cát-xê, chat, website, đì-zai (design), tuổi teen, laptop, shopping, gala cười, etc Why does this phenomenon happen? Many of them were trained abroad Many of them were graduated from English Department of Colleges and Universities Some Vietnamese words are longer or unable to cover whole meaning of the English words They could not find the equivalent Vietnamese words Other opinions: _ _ Giáp Thị Bích Hạnh – K15A - II- MA Minor Thesis – The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ The youth have tendency to use Vietnamese mixing English much more than the old As for you, the reasons may be: They use English as a kind of “jewelry” to show off their “rank” They contact regularly with new advanced technology like computer, internet and other kinds of modern machines used with English They recognize some English words are shorter than Vietnamese They want to practice their English They are influenced from their friends and colleagues Other reasons: _ _ _ In your opinion, the language mixing phenomenon between English and Vietnamese are: Avoidable Unavoidable 5.1 It can be avoidable by: Issuing a country policy to fine the cases where using Vietnamese mixing with English Improving the awareness of the youth on the mother tongue value at school Propagandizing preservation of Vietnamese Other solutions: _ _ _ _ _ _ 5.2 It can be unavoidable due to: The importance of English as an international language in the process of integration _ _ Giáp Thị Bích Hạnh – K15A - III- MA Minor Thesis – The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives _ _ and development The English is the language used for most of advanced technology such as computer, internet, telecommunication, etc The requirement of English qualification in the competitive labor market More and more foreigners come to Vietnam for tourism and business Other reasons: _ _ _ _ _ _ The use of English is required during the current process of integration and globalization What you think should be done to presever the purity of Vietnamese meanwhile using English? The Government should enact a law to prohibit the use of English words which have equivalent Vietnamese words on mass media, advertisement, sign boards on the street, etc Improving the awareness of the youth in preserving the purity of Vietnamese at school The scholars and linguists should compile a dictionary for the loan English words which cannot be found the equivalent Vietnamese words Other solutions: _ _ _ _ _ _ The relationship between language, culture and society is: Separable Does the language mixing phenomenon between English and Vietnamese affect t culture and society? Yes If yes, how does it affect? _ _ Giáp Thị Bích Hạnh – K15A - IV- MA Minor Thesis – The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives _ _ Create the ideology of preferring and valuating alien things Break down the awareness of preserving traditional value including not only language but also other national value Other opinions: _ _ _ _ _ _ Your time and effort in providing the information is greatly appreciated THANK YOU! _ _ Giáp Thị Bích Hạnh – K15A - V- ... Hạnh – K15A - v- MA Minor Thesis - The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English (viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives) ... Hạnh – K15A - vi- MA Minor Thesis - The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English (viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives) ... Bích Hạnh – K15A MA Minor Thesis - The language mixing phenomena in verbal communicative process between Vietnamese and English (viewed from language, cultural and social perspectives)