Overcoming language barriers to reach and stay in the hearts of the people.

(GLO) - Overcoming language barriers, many local police officers in Gia Lai have proactively learned ethnic minority languages ​​to be closer to and understand the people. From familiar phrases, they build trust and contribute to maintaining peace in villages and hamlets.

Listen to the people, and speak in a way the people understand.

One day in early October 2025, Dinh Hoang Anh (born in 2002, a H're ethnic minority, residing in Tmang Gheng village, An Vinh commune) discovered an air rifle hidden in a rock crevice while working in his field. He immediately called Lieutenant Colonel Banh Trong Ta, Deputy Head of the An Vinh Commune Police. During their conversation, the two spoke both Vietnamese and the H're language.

Mr. Dinh Hoang Anh met with Lieutenant Colonel Ban Trong Ta, Deputy Head of An Vinh Commune Police, to surrender his weapons. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

“Previously, Mr. Ta often came to the village to spread awareness and explain the regulations on surrendering weapons. He knew and spoke the H're language, so the villagers liked him; whenever they needed to report something or get help, they would often turn to him,” shared Mr. Dinh Hoang Anh.

Mr. Tá's encounter with the H're language was quite accidental. In 2019, while working at the An Tân Commune Police Station (formerly An Lão District), during a field patrol, Mr. Bành Trọng Tá met and asked for directions from an elderly H're woman.

She replied in the H're language, which embarrassed him. Then, she spoke in standard Vietnamese and encouraged him, saying that he could learn the H're language if he wanted to.

Major Do Hoa Binh, Deputy Head of Ia Pa Commune Police, converses with influential figures and Jrai women working in the Fatherland Front in the villages. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

“After that experience, I taught myself the H're language by chatting and communicating with colleagues and village elders and respected people in the village; at the same time, I participated in H're language training courses for officials and teachers working in the area. Now, I am confident in communicating with the people, which makes my work easier, especially since 96.5% of the population in An Vinh commune is H're,” Mr. Ta said.

In the western area, over 70% of the population of Ia Pa commune are Jrai people; in some remote villages, many people do not speak standard Vietnamese fluently. To facilitate propaganda and mobilization efforts, Major Do Hoa Binh, Deputy Head of the Ia Pa Commune Police, has been self-studying and improving his Jrai language skills.

Major Do Hoa Binh, Deputy Head of Ia Pa Commune Police, participates in volunteer activities in Mo Nang 2 village, Ia Pa commune. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Mr. Binh shared: “Initially, I only learned a few basic greetings. Then, each time I returned to my village to chat with the locals, I learned a little more. Especially after completing the Jrai language training course organized by the Provincial Police, my Jrai language skills improved significantly.”

"When the local people hear the officers and soldiers greeting them in their ethnic language, they become more open, so the propaganda and mobilization work is also more effective."

Training staff to improve work efficiency.

To meet practical requirements, in recent years, the Provincial Police have paid special attention to teaching ethnic minority languages ​​to officers and soldiers, especially those who frequently interact directly with the local people. From 2016 to the present, the Provincial Police have opened 13 classes teaching Jrai and Bahnar languages ​​to 571 officers and soldiers.

The curriculum is implemented according to regulations of the Government and the Ministry of Public Security . In addition to equipping students with language skills, the classes also provide knowledge about the customs, traditions, cultural beauty, and lifestyles of ethnic minority communities.

As one of the 50 graduates of the 3rd Jrai language course (from April to August 2025), Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Cu, Deputy Head of the Chu Se Commune Police, said that he and his colleagues were fully trained in listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, while also learning about the traditional culture of the Jrai people. This knowledge has been very helpful in their practical work.

“Being able to use the language and understand the way of life of the villagers makes me feel more confident every time I return to the village. Conversely, the villagers also appreciate and are more open with the police officers and soldiers of the commune. When disseminating information about the law or guiding them through administrative procedures, I can help them write and fill in the information accurately and according to the rules,” Lieutenant Colonel Cu shared.

Lieutenant Colonel Ninh Thi Minh Hoa, Head of the Personnel and Organization Department (Provincial Police), stated that the proactive learning of ethnic minority languages ​​and participation in training courses by officers and soldiers brings many practical benefits. In areas with a large ethnic minority population, especially in complex areas, understanding the language, customs, and psychology of the people is the "key" to improving the quality of service and the effectiveness of propaganda and mobilization.

By being close to the people and understanding their needs, cadres and soldiers can promptly grasp their thoughts and aspirations, detect and prevent the schemes and activities of hostile forces; contributing to maintaining political security and social order at the grassroots level, creating favorable conditions for socio-economic development and consolidating national unity.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/vuot-rao-can-ngon-ngu-de-den-va-o-lai-trong-long-dan-post568909.html