DECODING ENGLISH NAMES OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN VIET NAM: UNDERSTANDING THE TRANSLATION PROCEDURES

Abstract

In today's era of the internationalization of higher education, the name of a higher education institution (HEI) plays a crucial role. This study investigates the Vietnamese and English names of 276 HEIs in Viet Nam that are authorized to offer university-level education or higher, and the translation procedures used to create their English names. The research applies both qualitative and quantitative methods to collect and analyze data, statistically categorizing the translation procedures based on the category of HEI, academic subject area, and descriptors of personal and place names. By providing an overview of the English names of HEIs in Viet Nam, the study acknowledges efforts to translate them in accordance with international practices, but also exposes inconsistencies and inaccuracies in several name translation cases. It is recommended that education officials set more stringent criteria for approving institutional names. and that HEIs choose names that reflect both their identity and reputation while adhering to international norms.