Compiling textbooks for ethnic minority languages: A bridge between knowledge and identity

Compiling textbooks for ethnic minority languages ​​is an arduous but proud journey.

Textbooks of ethnic languages ​​of Vietnam Education Publishing House.

In Vietnam's education system, textbooks are not only a tool to transmit knowledge but also a cultural and linguistic bridge between generations. For ethnic minority communities, studying in their mother tongue has a special meaning not only in terms of education but also in affirming the identity, pride and right to equal development of each ethnic group.

Requires perseverance and dedication

Compiling textbooks for ethnic minority languages ​​is extremely elaborate, requiring perseverance, dedication and deep understanding of the language and culture of each region.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Tung - Member of the Board of Members, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Education Publishing House.

Most ethnic minority languages ​​have incomplete writing systems or many local variations. Therefore, researchers, authors and editors must work closely with local authorities, village elders, language artisans and indigenous people to unify word usage, pronunciation and writing in a way that is both scientific and familiar. Each letter and sentence structure is carefully considered so that students can easily receive it, while still maintaining the spirit and rhythm of their mother tongue.

The difficulty lies not only in the language but also in the content conveyed. Ethnic language textbooks must both meet the requirements of the General Education Program and preserve cultural identity. Compilers must find ways to express scientific and social concepts in simple language, close to the life of the highlands and remote areas, while still ensuring accuracy.

Overcoming these obstacles is the particularly profound value of this work. The compilation of textbooks for ethnic minority languages ​​clearly demonstrates the consistency in the policy of the Party and State: "No student is left behind". This is a humane policy towards equality in education - where every child, whether born in the lowlands or the highlands, has the right to learn and develop in the language and culture of their own ethnic group.

The breath of culture

If textbooks are the door to knowledge, then ethnic minority language textbooks also open the world of souls and community identity. Each page of the book not only conveys knowledge but also preserves the breath of culture, helping students acquire knowledge, nurturing national pride and awareness of preserving traditions in the flow of integration.

Therefore, each set of textbooks on ethnic minority languages ​​is not only a published product, but also a special cultural and educational work. It is the crystallization of the wisdom and dedication of many generations of educators, and at the same time contributes to the preservation and promotion of the country's linguistic heritage.

Talking about that special journey, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Tung, Member of the Board of Members, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Education Publishing House shared that compiling ethnic language textbooks is a difficult but proud journey. “During the compilation process, Vietnam Education Publishing House has the advantage of having accumulated more than two decades of experience. We have a team of highly qualified professionals who understand modern publishing techniques and the cultural characteristics of ethnic regions. Many editors, artists, and designers have been involved in this special field of books for many years. The human factor is the biggest advantage, helping us to deploy quickly and ensure the quality of each book series,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Tung.

The workload that the ethnic language textbook compilation team has to undertake is enormous. From collecting documents, building evidence, editing language, to reviewing and approving, all follow strict procedures. There are times when the editorial teams have to race against time to submit appraisal documents to the Ministry of Education and Training.

But above all is the belief and social responsibility of those who make the books: Ethnic language textbooks not only help students access knowledge in their mother tongue, but also serve as a bridge to preserve the culture of each ethnic community.

“I believe that each completed set of books is a step forward in improving the quality of education in ethnic minority areas. It not only supports learning but also arouses pride in the language and culture of the students themselves,” Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Van Tung emphasized.

It can be said that all efforts stem from the belief that ethnic minority language textbooks not only help students access knowledge in their mother tongue, but also contribute to preserving and promoting the culture of each ethnic community. This is a special social responsibility that the Publishing House always puts first.

From 2021 to the end of 2024, Vietnam Education Publishing House is the only unit assigned to compile ethnic language textbooks from grades One to Five for eight ethnic minority languages, including: Bahnar, Cham, Ede, Khmer, Jrai, Mnong, Thai and Mong. As of December 2024, all textbooks from grades One to Five, along with teaching guides, have been completed and approved.

It is the result of thousands of hours of silent work, of many field trips to remote villages, of conversations with local people to perfect each word, each illustration to be correct, beautiful, and imbued with the breath of local culture.

Not only stopping at publishing paper books, Vietnam Education Publishing House also proactively applies information technology and digital transformation in compilation, aiming to build an electronic language database, digitize ethnic language textbooks. Thanks to that, students in remote areas can easily access learning materials via computers, phones, or digital devices equipped by schools. This is a pioneering step, opening up more equal opportunities in accessing education for children in remote areas - where physical facilities are still limited.

The journey of compiling ethnic minority language textbooks by Vietnam Education Publishing House is a testament to the effort to build a fair, comprehensive and humane education system.

Preserving the language - Preserving the national soul

In the context of globalization and strong cultural exchange, many minority languages ​​are at risk of being lost as the young generation gradually uses their mother tongue less and less. Therefore, bringing ethnic languages ​​into schools, with systematic and methodical textbooks, is not only an educational policy but also a cultural act, a commitment to preserving the invaluable intangible heritage of the nation.

Every child who learns their mother tongue from the very first years of life will learn to love the language of their ancestors, be proud of their roots, and have more motivation to succeed in life. The first lessons in their mother tongue about family, nature, filial piety, and solidarity are the invisible thread that connects them to their national culture.

The journey of compiling ethnic minority language textbooks by the Vietnam Education Publishing House is a testament to the efforts to build a fair, comprehensive and humane education system - where every child has the opportunity to develop their potential, regardless of region. It is also the concretization of the spirit of Resolution 29-NQ/TW on fundamental and comprehensive innovation in education and training: Education is the top national policy; developing education is to improve people's knowledge, train human resources, and nurture talents; making an important contribution to building Vietnamese culture and people.

Looking back over the past two decades, those who make textbooks for ethnic minority languages ​​still quietly move forward with the belief that each page of the book that reaches the hands of students is another small step forward on the path to conquering knowledge, preserving culture, spreading love and national pride.

Compiling ethnic language textbooks is not only the professional work of a publisher, but also a national mission, connecting knowledge with identity, modernity with tradition, letters with soul. It is a silent but persistent journey of those who sow letters in the great forest.

Therefore, each set of ethnic language textbooks is not only a product of knowledge, but also a symbol of the Vietnamese humanistic spirit - where every voice is heard, every identity is respected, and every child has the opportunity to grow up with pride in their origins.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bien-soan-sgk-tieng-dan-toc-thieu-so-cau-noi-tri-thuc-va-ban-sac-332051.html