LANGUAGE USE IN ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS IN MEKONG RIVER DELTA

Abstract

Mekong River Delta is a multi - ethnic area. As each ethnic group has its unique cultural practices, such uniqueness could have influenced their language usage. Hence, despite of living in the same area, each ethnic minority group‟s language usage could be shaped by his ethnic background. However, each ethnic minority group in Mekong Delta area speak even more than two languages depending on their demographic, economic requirements, religious characteristics and the social history. Language functions are sometimes dependent on region and purpose of usage. This assumption determined the aim of this study, which was to investigate how status influences language use among ethnic minority groups (Khmer Hoa and Cham) in Mekong River Delta. This study suggests that ethnicity might need to be considered in cross - cultural communication in Vietnamese language.