Top 5 Best Compositions on "Local Dialects and Social Slang"

I. BASIC KNOWLEDGE

1. Local Dialects

a. What are local dialects?

Based on usage scope, words are classified into different categories, including national language and local dialects. National language consists of words used universally across the population.
Local dialects refer to words that are used only in specific regions or areas.
Examples:

North: U (mother), giời (sky)...
Central: mô (which, where), tê (over there), răng (how, what), rứa (like this), ...
South: heo (pig), thơm (pineapple), ghe (boat), ...
Returning to the distant front lines
Remembering, loving both dear mothers.

(Tố Hữu)

b. Types of Local Dialects

Local dialects that correspond in meaning to national language words:

Example:

South: tô- bowl, ghe- boat, cây viết- pen, ...
Nghe Tĩnh: bọ- father, mô- where, tê- there, trốc- head, khau- scoop, tru- cow, ...
Local dialects often refer to objects, phenomena unique to certain regions (once popularized, they become part of the national language).

Example:

South: sầu riêng, mãng vịt, mù u
Central: nhút, chẻo- fish sauce
North: thúng (unit for measuring rice), ...

2. Social Slang

a. What is social slang?

Social slang refers to words that are used within specific social groups.

b. Examples

Slang of the royal court: hoàng đế (emperor), trẫm (I, used by the emperor), khanh (minister), thánh thể (holiness), long thể (imperial body), băng hà (death)...
Slang of Christians: lỗi (sin), ơn ích (grace), mình thánh (holy body), nữ tu (nun), cứu rỗi (salvation), ông quản (deacon), vọng mình thánh (worship), lễ kiêng việc xác (ritual of fasting from food)...
c. Note: Social slang differs from professional jargon: Professional jargon refers to words used to describe tools, products, or work processes specific to a profession. These words are primarily used among people working within the same field.

Example:

Weaving profession: xa (spindle), ống (tube), suốt (thread), thoi (shuttle), go (warp), hồ sợi (yarn paste), đánh suốt (threading), sợi mộc (raw thread), sợi hồ (processed thread), ...
Wear-and-tear profession: móc (hook), lá (leaf), vanh (ring), bắt vanh (attach ring), ...

3. Using Local Dialects and Social Slang

To enhance expressive value, when using local dialects and social slang, one must be mindful of the communication context:

Example:

Chuối dầu vờn đã lổ
Cam đầu ngõ đã vàng
Em nhớ ruộng nhớ vườn
Không nhớ anh răng được

(Trần Hữu Chung)

lổ: trổ

These are words from Central dialect. Their use adds regional flavor to the piece.

răng: sao

On the wooden stilt houses, silent and still, three or four villagers glance out, recalling the joyful days when comrades stayed with them.

(Nguyễn Huy Tưởng)

"Bà ké" evokes the image of a mother from a northern ethnic minority, who, during wartime, bravely sacrificed and helped soldiers along their journey.

In literature, local dialects and social slang are used to add regional color and layer the social class flavor in the language and character personalities.
In oral communication, local dialects should only be used in the respective regions or with people from the same area or social class to maintain intimacy and naturalness.
To avoid overusing local dialects and social slang, it's essential to learn the equivalent national language words to use when necessary.

II. PRACTICE SKILLS

Question 1. Find some local dialects from your area or other regions you know. List the corresponding words (if any). Example: nhút (Nghe Tĩnh), mẵng cầu (South), bánh cáy (Thái Bình). These are unique terms specific to their areas, so there is no equivalent national term.

Question 2. Find some social slang you know, explain their meanings, and use them in sentences.

Suggestions:

Gambling slang: chầu (round), chêm (stab with a knife), chiến (strong), dốt (weak), ...
Student slang: ngỗng (bad grade), quay (look, cheat), học gạo (study hard, without attention to anything else)...
Example sentence:

The long-tailed rooster and the big rooster started the second round.

Question 3. Identify the national language equivalents of the following local dialect words:

a. Northern dialect: giăng, thấm chớp, thâu róm...

b. Central dialect: nác, tru, nỏ, thẹn, ...

c. Southern dialect: anh hai, bàn ủi, cây viết, chả lụa, đậu phộng, hột gà, ...

Suggestions:

National equivalents:

a. Northern dialect: giăng - trăng; thấm chớp - sấm chớp, thâu róm - sâu róm.

b. Southern dialect: anh hai - anh cả; bàn ủi - bàn là; cây viết - cây bút; đậu phộng - đậu tương; hột gà - trứng gà....

c. Central dialect: nác - nước, tru - trâu, nỏ - không, thẹn - xấu hổ.

Question 4. Among the following synonyms: cọp, khái, hổ, which ones are local dialects, and which ones are national language terms? Why?

Suggestions:

"Khái" is a Central dialect term, cọp and hổ are national language terms.

I – LOCAL VOCABULARY

Question: Observe the bolded words in the examples in the textbook on page 56 and answer the following question. Both 'bắp' and 'bẹ' here mean 'corn.' Which of the three words: bắp, bẹ, and ngô, are regional words, and which is commonly used across the country?

Answer:

Both 'bắp' and 'bẹ' mean 'corn.' 'Bắp' and 'bẹ' are regional words, while 'ngô' is a nationwide term. Nationwide vocabulary refers to words used widely throughout the country.

Note: Unlike nationwide vocabulary, local vocabulary refers to words that are used specifically in one or a few particular regions.

II – SOCIAL SLANG

Question: Read the examples in the textbook on page 57 and answer the following questions.

a) Why does the author use the word 'mẹ' in one place and 'mợ' in another? Before the August Revolution of 1945, in which social class in our country was 'mẹ' called 'mợ,' and 'cha' was called 'cậu'?

b) What do the words 'ngỗng' and 'trúng tủ' mean? Which social class commonly uses these terms?

Answer:

a) In these passages, 'mẹ' and 'mợ' refer to the same person, but are used in different contexts. 'Mẹ' is a common term, used in general, while 'mợ' refers to a maternal aunt and was used before the August Revolution.

b) 'Ngỗng' means a low grade (a score of 2 – the shape of the goose resembles the number 2), and 'trúng tủ' means a test question that aligns with what has been studied thoroughly.

These words are frequently used by students.

III – USING LOCAL VOCABULARY AND SOCIAL SLANG

Question 1: When using local vocabulary or social slang, what should you be mindful of? Why shouldn't one overuse these types of vocabulary?

Answer:

When using local vocabulary or social slang, one should be cautious not to overuse them, as not everyone in a conversation may understand these terms.

Question 2: Why does the author still use certain local vocabulary and social slang in the literary pieces found in the textbook on page 57?

Answer:

In literature, authors still use local vocabulary and social slang because they can enhance the effectiveness of expression.

IV – EXERCISES

Exercise 1: Find some local vocabulary words from your area or from another region that you know, and list their nationwide counterparts.

Answer:

Local vocabulary: tía, thầy, cậuhùm, cọp, mô, rứa, tê khau
Nationwide vocabulary: cha, bố, hổ, đâu, thế nào, kia, gầu (used for scooping water)

Exercise 2: Find some words used by students or other social classes and explain their meanings with examples.

Answer:

- Some words used by students:

+ 'ngỗng' (grade 2), 'cọc trâu' (grade 1), 'trứng' (grade 0): My paper got a 'ngỗng' score.

+ 'phao' (cheat sheet): This 'phao' is hard to spot!

Exercise 3: In the following communication situations, which should use local vocabulary, and which should not?

a) The person you're speaking to is from your locality. b) The person you're speaking to is from another locality. c) When giving a speech in class. d) When doing an essay. e) When writing letters or reports to a teacher. g) When talking to a foreigner who understands Vietnamese.

Answer:

- Use local vocabulary: a

- Use nationwide vocabulary: b, c, d, e, g

Exercise 4: Collect some folk songs, proverbs, or chants from your area (or another area) that use local vocabulary.

Answer:

Some folk songs, proverbs, and chants from the locality:

- Standing by this side of the field, looking across to that side, vast and endless.

Standing by that side of the field, looking across to this side, endless and vast.

(Folk proverb)

The person goes to the frontlines far away

Loves their motherland, and honors both parents.

(Tố Hữu - Bầm ơi)

My body like a bunch of rice under the morning sun

(Folk proverb)

I - LOCAL VOCABULARY

- The words 'bắp' and 'bẹ' here both mean 'corn.' Among the three words: 'bắp,' 'bẹ,' and 'ngô,' which is a local term, and which is used universally?

- Both 'bắp' and 'bẹ' are regional words. 'Ngô' is a nationwide term.

II. SOCIAL SLANG

a) In the passage above, the author uses 'mẹ' in some places and 'mợ' in others. This is because 'mẹ' is a contemporary term used in the author's personal narrative, while 'mợ' is used in dialogue from the past, referring to memories.

Before the August Revolution of 1945, the upper class in our country used the term 'mợ' for mother and 'cậu' for father.

b) The term 'ngỗng' refers to a grade of two – the shape of a goose resembles the number 2.

- 'Weak grade' and 'trúng tủ' refer to correctly answering the anticipated exam questions.

- These terms are commonly used by students.

III - USING LOCAL VOCABULARY AND SOCIAL SLANG

Question 1:

- When using local vocabulary or social slang, one must pay attention to the context of communication to ensure appropriateness.

- One should avoid overusing local or social slang, as not all audiences may understand or be familiar with these terms.

Question 2:

The author Nguyên Hồng in the story 'Nhớ, Bỉ vỏ' uses local vocabulary such as 'mô,' 'bầy tui,' 'ví'… in order to:

+ Enhance the emotional impact of the poetry

+ Highlight local color, social classes, and character traits.

Exercise

Exercise 1 (page 58, Textbook 8)

Local vocabulary: 'má' (Southern region) - Nationwide vocabulary: 'mẹ'

Local vocabulary: 'bọ' (Nghệ Tĩnh) - Nationwide vocabulary: 'cha'

Local vocabulary: 'cây viết' (Southern region) - Nationwide vocabulary: 'bút'

Local vocabulary: 'trái thơm' (Southern region) - Nationwide vocabulary: 'quả dứa'

Local vocabulary: 'o' (Hà Tĩnh) - Nationwide vocabulary: 'cô'

Local vocabulary: 'con tru' (Central region) - Nationwide vocabulary: 'con trâu'

Local vocabulary: 'heo' (Southern region) - Nationwide vocabulary: 'con lợn'

Exercise 2 (page 59, Textbook 8)

- Student slang:

+ 'gậy' – refers to a grade of 1

+ 'học gạo' – studying a lot without focusing on anything else

+ 'quay cóp' – copying from notes during a test

+ 'trượt vỏ chuối' – failing an exam

- Slang used by the imperial court officials: 'trẫm,' 'khanh,' 'long bào,' 'ngự gia,' 'ngự bút,' 'long bào'...

- Slang used by city criminals: 'chọi,' 'choai,' 'xế lô,' 'dạt vòm,' 'rụng,' 'táp lô'...

Exercise 3 (page 59, Textbook 8)

Situations where local vocabulary should not be used:

b) The person you're speaking with is from a different region.

c) When giving an opinion in class.

d) When writing an essay.

e) When writing a formal letter or report to a teacher.

g) When speaking to a foreigner who understands Vietnamese.

Exercise 4 (page 59, Textbook 8)

Example:

Standing on this side of the field, looking at the other side, vast and endless.

Standing on the other side of the field, looking at this side, endless and vast.

(Folk saying)

Bầm ơi, is it cold, Bầm?

The wind from the mountains, the light drizzle.

(Bầm ơi, Tố Hữu)

Climbing up to the sweet potato field

Splitting bamboo to weave baskets for her to dry the sweet potatoes.

(Hò ba lí from Quảng Nam)

I. LOCAL DIALECTS

Observe the highlighted words and answer the question: 'Bắp' and 'bẹ' both mean corn here. Among the three words: bắp, bẹ, and ngô, which one is a regional term, and which one is commonly used throughout the country?

- In the morning, I go to the stream's edge, and in the evening, I return to the cave.

Rice porridge with bẹ bamboo shoots is always ready.

(Ho Chi Minh, Tức cảnh Pác Bó)

- When the cuckoo calls the flock

The autumn rice ripens, fruits grow sweeter

The shady garden is filled with cicada calls

Bắp grains of corn are golden, covering the yard with sunlight

(Tố Hữu, Khi con tu hú)

Answer:

- 'Bắp' and 'bẹ' here both mean 'corn.' Among the three words: bắp, bẹ, and ngô, 'bắp' and 'bẹ' are regional terms, while 'ngô' is used nationwide.

II. SOCIAL SLANG

Read the following examples and answer the questions:

a) But how could the love and respect of my mother ever be tainted by malicious scheming... Even though for almost a year, my mother didn’t send me a single letter, nor did she ask anyone to visit me or send me a bundle of gifts.

I smiled and replied to my aunt:

- No! I don’t want to go in. By the end of the year, my aunt will surely come back.

(Nguyen Hong, Childhood Days)

Why does the author use the term 'mother' in some parts and 'aunt' in others? Before the August Revolution, which social class used these terms?

b)

- I'm so bored; today I have to deal with the 'goose' for my essay assignment.

- It’s a perfect hit, and he naturally scored the highest in the class.

What do the terms 'goose' and 'perfect hit' mean? Which social class uses these terms?

Answer:

a)

In the passage, the author uses 'mother' in the narrative, as it reflects the present time, but uses 'aunt' in the dialogues because they represent memories from the past.

Before the August 1945 Revolution, the upper class in Vietnam called their mothers 'aunt' and fathers 'uncle'.

b)

'Goose' refers to a grade two, resembling the shape of the number two.

'Perfect hit' means that the student prepared well and correctly predicted the test material.

- These terms are commonly used by students.

III. USE OF LOCAL DIALECTS AND SOCIAL SLANG

Answer Question 1 (Page 57, 8th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 1):

What should be considered when using local dialects and social slang? Why shouldn’t they be overused?

Answer:

- When using local dialects or social slang, consider the context of communication to ensure appropriate usage.

- Overusing local dialects and slang is not recommended because not everyone may understand these terms or be able to use them properly.

Answer Question 2 (Page 57, 8th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 1):

Why does the author still use certain local dialects and social slang in the following texts and poems?

- Comrade, do you remember anymore

Let me tell you the story of Bình Trị Thiên,

Let the flock hear the song

The firelight flickers on comrades’ shoulders

- In this place, the situation is extremely difficult,

Our people must continue the resistance.

(According to Hong Nguyen, Remember)

- The fish is placed in the pile of clothing, it’s very heavy to carry.

(Nguyen Hong, The Outer Shell)

Answer:

In Nguyen Hong’s works 'Remember' and 'The Outer Shell', the use of local dialects like 'mô', 'bầy tui', and 'ví' serves to:

+ Enhance the emotional expression of the poem.

+ Highlight the regional identity, social class, and character personality.

IV. EXERCISES

Answer Question 1 (Page 58, 8th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 1):

Find some local dialects from your area or other regions that you know. Mention the corresponding areas (if applicable).

Sample answer: 'Nhút' (Nghệ Tĩnh), 'Mãng cầu' (Southern region), 'Bánh cáy' (Thái Bình). These are terms for unique local products, and there are no nationwide equivalents.

Answer Question 2 (Page 59, 8th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 1):

Find some social slang terms you know, explain their meanings, and use them in sentences.

Sample answer:

+ Rooster fighting slang: 'chầu' (round), 'chêm' (strike with the claw), 'chiến' (strong fight), 'dốt' (coward) …

+ Student slang: 'ngỗng' (grade two), 'quay' (to copy answers), 'học gạo' (study a lot, ignoring other things)…

Example sentence:

The rooster and hen began their second round of the fight.

Answer Question 3 (Page 59, 8th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 1):

In which situations below should local dialects be used, and in which should they not?

Answer:

Situations where local dialects should not be used:

b) When talking to someone from another region

c) When giving a presentation in class

d) When writing essays

e) When writing formal letters or reports for teachers

g) When speaking to a foreigner who understands Vietnamese

Answer Question 4 (Page 59, 8th Grade Literature Textbook, Volume 1):

In the following synonymous words: 'cọp', 'khái', 'hổ', which one is a local dialect and which is a common term? Why?

Answer:

Example:

Stand on this side of the field, look across the other side, wide and vast

Stand on the other side of the field, look across this side, vast and endless

(Folk song)

'Mother, is it cold, mother?'

Soft mountain wind, light drizzle.

(Bầm ơi, Tố Hữu)

Climb up the sweet potato fields

Weave bamboo to let her dry the potatoes.

(Hò ba lí from Quảng Nam)

I. LOCAL DIALECTS

The words 'bắp' and 'bẹ' here both refer to 'corn.' The words 'bắp' and 'bẹ' are local dialects, while 'ngô' is the standard term used nationwide. The standard term is widely understood and used across the country.

• Reminder: Unlike standard terms, local dialects are specific to certain regions.

II. SOCIAL JARGON

a) In a passage by Nguyên Hồng, the author uses the word 'mẹ' in some places and 'mợ' in others. 'Mợ' and 'mẹ' are synonyms. Historically, 'mợ' was used to refer to a mother in the upper and middle classes, while 'mẹ' is the nationwide term. In this passage, the author uses 'mẹ' when narrating to the reader and 'mợ' when responding to his aunt. 'Cậu' and 'mạ' were used by the upper and middle classes before the August Revolution to refer to their parents.

b) The word 'ngỗng' means a grade of two. The phrase 'trúng tủ' refers to when one answers a question correctly, either because it was predicted or well-studied. These terms are commonly used among students.

• Reminder: Unlike standard terms, social jargon is specific to certain social classes.

III. USING LOCAL DIALECTS AND SOCIAL JARGON

1. When using local dialects or social jargon, it's important not to overuse them. These terms should only be used in casual conversations, especially when communicating with individuals from the same region or social class. This ensures effective communication without confusion.

2. In the literary passages provided, the author uses some local dialects and social jargon (e.g., 'mô,' 'bầy tui,' 'ví,' 'nớ hiện chừ,' 'ra ni,' 'cá,' 'dằm thượng,' 'mối') to emphasize the local color of the characters and to enhance the emotional impact of the text.

• Reminder: The use of local dialects and social jargon must be contextually appropriate. In literature, authors may choose to include certain terms for artistic purposes.

Answer to Question 1 (page 58, Literature 8, Vol. 1):
Some corresponding local dialects and standard terms.
Local Dialects and Standard Terms:
'Giời' - 'Trời'
'Răng,' 'rứa' - 'Thế nào,' 'thế'
'Đọi' - 'Bát'
'Thơm' - 'Dứa'
'Hĩm' - 'Con gái'

Answer to Question 2 (page 59, Literature 8, Vol. 1):
Some terms used by students or other social classes.
- Student Jargon: 'ngỗng' (a grade of two), 'quay' (to copy, either from another student or from hidden materials during an exam), 'học gạo' (to focus intensely on studying and neglecting other tasks, especially rote learning).

- Grits of the cockfighting community: 'chầu' (round), 'chêm' (stab the rooster), 'chiến' (strong fighter), 'chính' (spurs), 'dốt' (coward), 'nạp' (approach the rooster to fight)...

Answer to Question 3 (page 59, Literature 8, Vol. 1):
In communication, local dialects should only be used when speaking to someone from the same region. In all other instances (such as in sections b, c, d, e, g of the textbook), local dialects should be avoided.

Answer to Question 4 (page 59, Literature 8, Vol. 1):
Explore a few local dialects:
'Bố đi đâu hĩm, mẹ đâu rồi?' (Mẹ Tơm – Tố Hữu)
'Độc lập nhớ viền chơi ví chắc' (Nhớ - Hồng Nguyên) 'Viền' means 'about.' 'Ví chắc' means 'together.'
'Nỗi niềm chi rứa Huế ơi?' (Tố Hữu) 'Chi rứa' means 'what's the matter.'