Technology: Key to Preserve and Develop Vietnamese Language for Overseas Youth
	Mothers of the Mother Tongue: Preserving Vietnamese Language

A historical turning point in the Czech Republic

A significant milestone in the spread of the Vietnamese language occurred in September 2013, when the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic was officially acknowledged as an ethnic minority by the Czech government. This event marked the first instance of Vietnamese being recognized as a minority language in a European nation. This not only advantages the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic but also aids in the preservation of their native language, promotes its instruction in schools, and improves the prospects for future generations to learn Vietnamese within a formal educational setting.

A Vietnamese class at the Vietnamese Language Center in Prague (Czech Republic). (Photo: Nguyen Van Son)

Once recognized, Vietnamese will be included in public services including healthcare, education, and administration. This initiative aims to diminish language barriers, particularly for the elderly and new immigrants, thereby enhancing the engagement of the Vietnamese community in the local social and political spheres.

During the 20th anniversary celebration of the Vietnamese Language Center at the Sapa Trade Center in Prague, October 2023, Nguyen Duy Nhien, the Chairman of the Vietnamese Association in the Czech Republic, stated: "The Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic consistently emphasizes the importance of preserving and promoting Vietnamese culture and language. Through the preservation, we can sustain our community." Initiatives like Vietnamese summer camps and cultural events serve as a link between generations, enabling young Vietnamese in the Czech Republic to not only learn the language but also acquire a profound appreciation of their national culture.

The widespread of Vietnamese

The United States hosts one of the largest Vietnamese communities, with approximately 2.2 million individuals. Vietnamese language centers and institutions have become a crucial base for preserving and promoting the language among the younger generations. Statistics indicate that over 200 Vietnamese language centers and institutions are operating throughout the United States, playing a significant role in sustaining Vietnamese within families and the broader community.

In June 2024, the San Francisco City Council of Supervisors in California took a significant step by officially recognizing Vietnamese as one of the city's official languages. This landmark decision ensures that Vietnamese will be utilized in public services, including telephone translation, announcements, website documentation, and other pertinent information.

Besides San Francisco, large Vietnamese communities also exist in Orange County (California), Houston (Texas), and Seattle (Washington), where Vietnamese is commonly used in public services, healthcare, and education. These developments are significant in advocating for the inclusion of Vietnamese in the official language system of the United States, thereby enhancing the prospects for its broader recognition in the future.

Vietnamese language instruction is not limited to the Czech Republic and the United States; it is offered in numerous other countries through systematic study programs.

At Ca' Foscari University in Venice, Italy, the Vietnamese language program has long been established. Students enrolled in this program are immersed in the language and the rich tapestry of Vietnamese culture, literature, and history. Upon completion, graduates are equipped to communicate effectively at a basic level and possess a profound understanding of Vietnamese cultural nuances.

Vietnamese language teaching activities of overseas Vietnamese teachers in the Republic of Korea. (Photo: Kim Thoa)

Since 2013, the Republic of Korea has incorporated Vietnamese into its educational curriculum as a second foreign language. Presently, four universities in the Republic of Korea provide courses in Vietnamese and Vietnamese studies, and many high schools have also introduced Vietnamese language classes. In the 2022 national university entrance examination, Vietnamese emerged as one of the favored options for the second foreign language test. This reflects the growing fascination of Korean society with Vietnamese culture and language, particularly amidst the burgeoning Vietnamese community in Korea and the rise of multicultural families.

In Taiwan (China), Vietnamese has been included in the official curriculum for grades 3 to 12 since 2019. This addition aims to cater to the increasing interest in learning Vietnamese, not just among the Vietnamese-Taiwanese community but also within the broader Taiwanese population.

Vietnamese in the surge of global integration

Vietnamese is progressively establishing itself not just as a national language but also as a conduit to global culture. Dr. Le Thi Thanh Tam, Head of the Department of Vietnamese Studies and Language at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University in Hanoi, talked to the press about the growing inclusion of Vietnamese in educational curricula worldwide and its adoption as an official language in key global cities. These developments highlight the dynamism and immense possibilities of the Vietnamese language and culture amidst global integration.

The 1992 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious, and Linguistic Minorities affirms that minorities have the right to use their own languages in education, communication, and cultural practices. This establishes a legal framework for acknowledging Vietnamese as a minority language in countries with substantial Vietnamese communities. Simultaneously, the swift progress of technology and artificial intelligence is creating innovative avenues for the online instruction and study of Vietnamese, promoting its worldwide spread.

Language specialists assert that the journey toward the official recognition of Vietnamese in other nations is fraught with obstacles. For Vietnamese to be acknowledged as an official minority language, Vietnamese communities globally and pertinent organizations must work in unison with local governments and Vietnam's diplomatic missions. This endeavor serves to maintain the national identity and also to introduce the Vietnamese language to the international stage, thereby enriching the world's cultural mosaic.

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