Vietnamese. A monosyllabic language made up of twenty-nine letters and six tonal accent marks. One would think that this language would be rather simple to learn and even simpler to understand, but like all other languages, Vietnamese can be difficult even for native speakers. The complexity of it lies in the proper syntax of words, the combination of phrases and even the … [Read more...] about Evolution or Loss of Language
Superstitions Ba Noi Told Me
When I was younger my paternal grandmother lived in the same house as me until I reached middle school. Being in such close proximity with her opened my mind to the wonders of Vietnamese culture and traditions. Through her, I realized how superstitious Vietnamese people can be. The moment I sneezed, scratched my ear, wore a white headband, etc she would begin her monologues on … [Read more...] about Superstitions Ba Noi Told Me
Are Vietnamese Parents Sexist?
The gender spheres of Vietnamese culture greatly differ from those here in the United States but resonance occurs with parenting. In Vietnam most families are quite patriarchal outside the home but within the home I would say that the matriarch has a good amount of power. Regardless, daughters are treated differently than sons. In the United States, there is no clear definition … [Read more...] about Are Vietnamese Parents Sexist?
Chu Cuoi, the Moon Man Folktale
Tet Trung Thu is quickly approaching and according to Vietnamese folktales and tradition it is a time for celebration. During this time, families will get together just for the sake of being together and enjoying the season. Parents who normally work full time and hardly get to see their children, will take time off and spend more time with their children by making paper … [Read more...] about Chu Cuoi, the Moon Man Folktale
How do you [re]connect?
At one point or another, most if not all Vietnamese Americans have heard of the phrase “phong tuc cua Vietnam”, customs of Vietnam. What is your initial response upon hearing this phrase used? How do you normally respond to it and the inevitable description and anecdote that follows? Parents and grandparents are always well-equipped and prepared to discuss Vietnamese culture. … [Read more...] about How do you [re]connect?