A Study on Muong Language
by Truong Vu Khanh Chi and Nguyen Tranh Tra
Category: Social Science
Abstract – The Muong have always learned Muong language by word of the mouth communication for generations. However, some Muong villages have been experiencing the less amount of Muong language uses in the community due to many factors. Schools in Muong area are not teaching Muong language, but are teaching Vietnamese instead. It is thought that the future generations of Muong people are vulnerable to lose their culture and language. Our studies showed that nearly all villagers living in Giang Mo village are not aware of their culture and language loss. However, the government of Vietnam is also concerned about the situation. They arranged to create a writing system for Muong language. We also interviewed some Muong villagers about their thoughts on letting their children learn Muong language and their writing system. They agreed that a language that has a writing system will be worth for their children to learn. The writing system for Muong language may be the key to preserve and promote Muong language and culture.