Local dialects in 20th-century Quang Ngai poetry

Abstract

Local dialects in 20th-century Quang Ngai poetry serve as a medium for expressing the emotional and ideological values of authors during a turbulent historical period in Vietnam. In various aspects of life, particularly in literature, Quang Ngai’s local dialects stand out as a unique feature, identifying authors and enriching the region’s literary heritage. Beyond reflecting real-life experiences, local dialects embody the authors’ awareness of their homeland, acting as a source of pride for Quang Ngai people regarding their cultural legacy. The core aspects of Quang Ngai people’s daily lives, attitudes, emotions, objects, phenomena, and place names are vividly and distinctively conveyed through local dialects in 20th-century Quang Ngai poetry. From pre-war poetry and resistance poetry to post-war poetry by authors such as Nguyen Vy, Bich Khe, Te Hanh, Nguyen Quang Mao, Nguyen Thuy, Thanh Thao, and Nguyen Mau Chien, these works showcase creativity and sharpness in their thought processes and their perceptions of reality through the use of local dialects.