Exploring the Intersection of Vietnamese Culture and Language

Abstract

The Vietnamese language is intricately intertwined with the cultural values, social structures, and historical backgrounds of Vietnam. This research gives insight into the correlation between Vietnamese culture and the Vietnamese language based on Hostede’s framework (1980). Two cultural aspects of Hofstede’s study, including hierarchy and collectivism, are investigated to offer an in-depth examination of how they are mirrored in the Vietnamese language. The participants of this study were Vietnamese students of English as a foreign or second language (EFL/ESL) at Tan Tao University, Vietnam, speaking English in a daily academic environment. The findings revealed that hierarchy and collectivism have long influenced the use of the Vietnamese language in terms of pronouns, honorifics, and collective words. This study not only corroborates the discipline of sociolinguistics but also gives vital insights into cross-cultural communication and intercultural understanding.