Preserving the Tay and Nung languages ​​- A good practice in Lang Son.

Teaching Then singing and Tinh lute playing at the Cau Pung Club in Trang Dinh district is also one of the activities aimed at preserving ethnic languages.

In Lang Son province, both the Tay and Nung ethnic groups have their own languages ​​belonging to the Tay-Thai language family. In villages with large Tay and Nung populations, the people still use their ethnic languages ​​for daily communication. Like many other ethnic groups, the Tay and Nung languages ​​in Lang Son exist in two forms: written and spoken.

In terms of language, the Tay and Nung people of Lang Son have had long-standing contact with the Kinh people. The Tay learned Chinese characters using Sino-Vietnamese pronunciation, so their language is more influenced by and closer to the Kinh language. The Nung people, in the past, often learned Chinese characters using Sino-Vietnamese pronunciation, so their language is closer to Chinese. Therefore, the Tay and Nung people can understand each other in communication, but there is a subtle distinction between the Tay and Nung languages ​​in terms of tones.

The people often use their own language everywhere and at all times, in their daily lives when talking to each other. Indeed, at all the markets in Ky Lua, most of the people shopping use the Tay and Nung languages ​​as their primary means of communication to exchange and buy goods, and to sing Sli and Luon love songs with each other.

Ms. Vi Thi Tinh, a resident of Loc Binh district, enthusiastically shared: “Everywhere, especially in community activities, besides the Vietnamese language, we still use the Tay language to communicate with each other. It feels much closer. No matter where we are, no matter how many people there are, even without considering the clothing, we can tell they are Tay people just by talking to them.”

"The Tay and Nung are two ethnic groups that share many similar characteristics in terms of ethnography, habitat, culture, and especially language. It can be said that the Tay and Nung languages, both spoken and written, are important components that create the cultural identity of Lang Son."

Mr. Hoang Van Pao, Chairman of the Lang Son Provincial Cultural Heritage Association

Regarding written language, the Tay and Nung ethnic groups no longer maintain their own writing systems; only a small part of their ritual books and Then texts remains. Mr. Hoang Van Pao, Chairman of the Lang Son Provincial Cultural Heritage Association, stated: “The Tay and Nung are two ethnic groups with many similar characteristics in terms of ethnography, settlements, culture, and especially language. It can be said that the Tay and Nung languages, both spoken and written, are important components that create the cultural identity of Lang Son.”

In discussions with the leaders of the Department of Culture and Sports of Lang Son province, it was learned that in recent times, the Department has directed its specialized departments and affiliated units to strengthen the collection of documents, artifacts, written records, and audio-video recordings of customs, traditions, and folk songs using the Tay and Nung languages; to translate works and excerpts of ancient then, quan lang, co lau, and sli rituals and publish them in books for archiving and to serve the people's research needs...

"In particular, the Department is guiding districts and cities to strengthen propaganda and encourage people to use ethnic languages ​​in their daily lives, and to encourage the older generation to pass them on to the younger generation; and to promote the establishment of folk song clubs, which are ideal environments for the language to be maintained and effectively promoted," emphasized Mr. Phan Van Hoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lang Son province.

Many schools in Lang Son province teach Then singing and Tinh lute playing during extracurricular lessons.

In addition, other agencies and units in the province are also very interested in the preservation of ethnic languages: opening training courses and certificate programs in Tay and Nung languages ​​(implemented since 2011), mainly Tay language for officials, civil servants and candidates applying for civil service examinations according to regulations; the list of participants in these training courses is approved by the Department of Education and Training; broadcasting news bulletins, current affairs programs and cultural programs in Tay and Nung languages; publishing literary and artistic works in Tay and Nung languages, etc.

Notably, the preservation of ethnic languages ​​is being carried out through cultural and artistic activities using the Tay and Nung ethnic languages ​​such as Then singing, Sli, and Luon... Many schools in the province are teaching these in extracurricular classes. To date, 23 schools at the primary, secondary, and high school levels in the province have organized and established Then singing and Dan Tinh playing clubs, attracting over 400 students, a 60% increase compared to 2018…

Besides the need for people to pay more attention to teaching their children to use their ethnic languages ​​proficiently in daily life, the role of state management agencies on ethnic affairs is extremely important in advising on policies to preserve and promote these language groups. With the positive solutions of all levels and sectors in Lang Son province, the preservation and promotion of the Tay and Nung ethnic languages ​​are gradually being carried out in the current period.

Communication through minority languages: Current situation and solutions

Source: https://baodantoc.vn/giu-gin-ngon-ngu-tay-nung-cach-lam-hay-o-lang-son-1711011367525.htm