(VOVworld) – Radio the Voice of Vietnam in cooperation with the Linguistic Society of Vietnam and the Vietnam Journalists Association recently held a national seminar on proper use of the Vietnamese language in mass media. The event, the third of its kind following conferences in 1966 and 1979, reflects VOV’s important role in preserving and upholding the values of the Vietnamese language and enriching it during Vietnam's global integration.  

The national seminar on the proper use of the Vietnamese language in mass media was held on November 5, 2016 at VOV’s headquarters in Hanoi. (Photo: VOV)

Since its first broadcast on September 7, 1945, Radio the Voice of Vietnam has shown respect for the mother tongue in its announcement: This is the Voice of Vietnam, broadcasting from Hanoi, the capital of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The voice of Vietnam is the voice of the nation, the voice of an independent country, which was founded when President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence 5 days earlier.

Recognizing its important role, generations of VOV staff have been aware of the need to use the Vietnamese language properly and enrich it, said VOV President Nguyen The Ky.

He stressed the importance of: “organizing training courses on how to correctly use the Vietnamese language in radio broadcasts. Editors, reporters, presenters, and commentators should work to improve their presentation skills, and presentations should be conducted in such a way that the written parts are clear, coherent, and concise.”

Following the seminar, VOV defined as its mission to excel in the use of the language and to promote proper usage among all people.

70-year Nguyen Dinh Thanh, a VOV veteran reporter and now a regular listener to VOV’s radio programs, underscored the importance of using standard Vietnamese language in VOV broadcasts.

According to Thanh, “top priority should be given to using a standard language, followed by interesting norms. Many words are commonly used with an incorrect understanding of their meanings. "

Thanh took the word "Yếu điểm" for example, which “means ‘an essential point’, not ‘a weak point’. Speaking incorrectly or repeating a word or a phrase again and again are very common. Reporters should be aware of their duty to properly use and maintain the language and encourage the public to follow suit.”

At the seminar, Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam called on media agencies and reporters to improve their skills to ensure the proper use of the Vietnamese language along with developing and enriching it. (Photo: VOV)

The explosion of alternate forms of media has enriched the Vietnamese language. Doctor Pham Van Tinh of the Vietnam Institute of Lexicography and Encyclopedia says in the last 20 years 5,000 new English words have been added to the Vietnamese language 

“It’s easy to see that new ways of speaking, new words, and new phrases have been adopted now,” said Tinh adding: “For example, when we go to a restaurant, it’s easy to see the dominance of Western style in its decor, architecture, and staff clothing. It’s quite common to see new words used widely.”

Radio and television stations are tending to diversify accents, especially for stand-up journalistic works.

Dr. Vu Thi Sao Chi, deputy editor-in-chief of Linguistics Magazine, published by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, said spelling and writing styles used in Vietnamese dictionaries should be considered the standard Vietnamese language on Radio the Voice of Vietnam. VOV presenters and editors from various dialect regions should adjust their own speech to the standard language.

Chi said: “Central radio and television stations should use the standard language for all broadcasts, especially key broadcasts such as news bulletins. This language should combine the prominent elements of the Vietnamese language in the three regions.”