Top 5 Best Essays on Preserving the Purity of the Vietnamese Language (Literature 12)

PART I.

Question 1: Analyze the accuracy in the use of words by Hoai Thanh and Nguyen Du when describing the characters in 'The Tale of Kieu'.

Question 2:

- Place a period (.) between the two rivers (in the first line).

- Place a period (.) after the other water bodies (in the second line).

- Place a comma (,) after 'the language is the same' (in the second line).

Question 3: The overuse of foreign words (English).

- The overused terms are: fan, file, hacker.

- Replace them with: enthusiast, document, cybercriminal.

I. Purity of the Vietnamese Language

Over thousands of years, the Vietnamese language has developed a pure essence. However, it is always important to preserve its clarity every time it is used.

The purity of Vietnamese is demonstrated through several fundamental aspects:

1. Speaking or writing according to the rules and norms of the Vietnamese language.

Examples:

- Correct: We congratulate you (grammatically correct)

- Incorrect: We are proud of you (grammatically incorrect)

Although standard norms should be maintained, there is room for flexibility and creativity as long as it aligns with general principles and rules.

For example:

- Sunbaked, soaked in the rain

Wearing a short shirt for the child.

(Nguyễn Duy, Tre Việt Nam)

The words “lưng,” “áo,” and “con” are creatively used with metaphors, and the sentence retains the clarity of the Vietnamese language while being poetic.

- We bathe in the blood-soaked battlefields of our struggle.

(Hồ Chí Minh, Independence Declaration)

The term “bathe” is used with a new meaning according to the transformation principle, maintaining both grammatical accuracy and emotional impact.

2. Avoid mixing languages...

We should not randomly mix elements of other languages. To preserve the richness and purity of Vietnamese, it is essential to accept influences from other languages but avoid unnecessary and excessive hybridization.

3. The purity of Vietnamese also reflects the cultural and polite nature of speech. Polite and cultured language showcases the language’s purity. Conversely, rude or disrespectful language diminishes the language's natural elegance.

For example: A conversation between Old Hạc and the teacher in Nam Cao's short story “Lão Hạc” demonstrates their respectful and culturally rich speech (see the textbook).

Exercise 1, page 33, Literature 12, Volume 1

Analyze the accuracy in Hoài Thanh and Nguyễn Du’s use of language when describing characters in “Truyện Kiều.”

[...] In Truyện Kiều, we find a variety of characters, each with unique traits, such as the loyal Kim, the obedient Thúy Vân, the strong-willed yet bitter Hoạn Thư, the timid Thúc Sinh, and the elusive Từ Hải. Hoài Thanh’s language captures these nuances precisely, as seen in his descriptions:

a) Hoài Thanh’s language:

- Kim: fiercely loyal

- Thúy Vân: the obedient younger sister

- Hoạn Thư: a strong-willed, yet cruel woman

- Thúc Sinh: a man who fears his wife

- Từ Hải: appears and vanishes like a strange star.

- Sở Khanh: a refined, gentle appearance

These words encapsulate the characters’ personalities, vividly bringing them to life.

b) Nguyễn Du’s language:

- Tú Bà: pale skin

- Mã Giám Sinh: smooth, clean-shaven face

- Bạc Bà, Bạc Hạnh: “twisted” mouths

The words used by both Hoài Thanh and Nguyễn Du masterfully express the essence of each character, leaving no room for a more fitting description.

Exercise 2, page 34, Literature 12, Volume 1

A passage from Chế Lan Viên has had its punctuation removed. Please insert the appropriate punctuation marks to restore clarity:

I gave an example of a river, which flows while absorbing waters from other streams. The same can be said of language, which, while maintaining its distinct identity, must also welcome the contributions of the modern era.

Answer:

- Place a period after the first “river” in the first sentence.

- Place a period after “other waters” in the second sentence.

- Add a comma after “language” in the second sentence.

Exercise 3, page 34, Literature 12, Volume 1

Answer:

Foreign terms need to be translated:

- Microsoft: a company name, leave as is.

- File → tệp tin: clearer for those unfamiliar with computers.

- Hacker → Unauthorized access to computer systems (illegal intruder into systems).

- Cocoruder: a self-designated term, leave unchanged.

Question 1 (page 33, Literature 12, Volume 1)

When describing characters like Ma Giam Sinh, So Khanh, Bac Ba, and Tu Ba, the author uses precise language to reveal the unique traits and characteristics of each character.

- Ma Giam Sinh: clean-shaven, coarse in nature, a businessman whose actions immediately reveal his character.

- So Khanh: meticulous, gentle, outwardly charming, yet deceitful and unfaithful.

- Bac Ba: smooth-talking, deceptive, and treacherous.

- Tu Ba: pale and unhealthy, living off the business of selling illicit goods.

Question 2 (page 34, Literature 12, Volume 1)

I once gave an example of a river that flows, yet has to accept the currents of other rivers along its path. Similarly, language must preserve its cultural essence while also embracing new influences from the changing times.

Question 3 (page 34, Literature 12, Volume 1)

- Some foreign words are considered overused: file, hacker.

- Suggested alternatives: file – document, hacker – cybercriminal.

I. The Purity of the Vietnamese Language:

1. It ensures the consistency of standard rules regarding pronunciation, writing, word usage, and sentence structure in Vietnamese.

2. Purity implies the rejection of unnecessary elements from foreign languages, ensuring the language remains undiluted.

3. The purity of the Vietnamese language is also reflected in the cultural and respectful nature of speech.

II. Practice Exercises

Question 1 (page 33, Literature 12, Volume 1):

Words of Hoai Thanh:

- Kim Trong: devoted and loyal.

- Thuy Van: the obedient younger sister.

- Hoan Thu: a strong-willed woman, wise but cruel.

- Thuc Sinh: the husband who fears his wife.

- Tu Hai: a mysterious figure, appearing and disappearing like a distant star.

- So Khanh: the carefully groomed, gentle exterior.

- The brothel society: a corrupt, filthy world that thrives in misery.

Question 2 (page 34, Literature 12, Volume 1):

Rewrite with correct punctuation:

I once gave an example of a river. The river flows, yet it must accept – along its journey – the currents of other rivers. Similarly, language must maintain its cultural identity, but it should not reject what the times bring.

Question 3 (page 34, Literature 12, Volume 1):

- The overuse of foreign words: file, hacker.

Suggested replacements:

File → Document

Hacker → Cybercriminal

- Microsoft and cocoruder are proper names and can remain unchanged.

I. The Clarity of the Vietnamese Language

1. Vietnamese Language Standards (Speaking and Writing)

Pronunciation
Writing
Vocabulary
Sentence Structure
Construction of Speech and Text
=> Although Vietnamese has established language standards, it still embraces creative changes, which are innovations that align with general linguistic rules (examples of metaphorical and metonymic shifts in the language).

2. Borrowing Linguistic Elements from Foreign Languages

Borrowing foreign linguistic elements is inevitable for any language, yet it must be done thoughtfully to preserve the purity of Vietnamese.

3. Using Clear Vietnamese Reflects Cultural Values

The purity of language reflects a person’s refinement and cultural sophistication.

[Exercise]

Question 1: Analyze the precision in word choice by Hoài Thanh and Nguyễn Du when describing the appearance or character of the characters in "The Tale of Kiều".

Answer:

Representative words:

Kim Trọng: deeply devoted
Thuý Vân: the obedient younger sister
Hoạn Thư: a strong-willed yet spiteful woman
Thúc Sinh: a henpecked man
Từ Hải: appearing and disappearing like a mysterious star
Tú Bà: pale-skinned
Mã Giám Sinh: smooth-shaven
Sở Khanh: delicately refined
Bạc Bà, Bạc Hạnh: with a sharp, cutting tongue
=> The words used by Nguyễn Du and Hoài Thanh accurately depict the characters’ appearance or capture their personalities, showcasing a precise use of the Vietnamese language in conveying each person’s traits.

Question 2: The following passage by Chế Lan Viên is missing punctuation...

The following passage by Chế Lan Viên is missing punctuation. Insert the appropriate punctuation to ensure the clarity of the passage.

"I use the example of a river, a river that flows while receiving other streams along its way. The same is true for language, which must maintain the unique character of the nation while being open to what the modern era brings."

Answer:

Option 1: “I use the example of a river. A river that flows while receiving, along its path, other streams. Language is similar: it must preserve the core identity of the nation, but it cannot reject or ignore what the modern era offers.”
Option 2: "I use the example of a river. A river that must flow while also receiving (along its path) other streams. Language is the same: it must maintain its core identity, but it cannot reject or ignore what the modern age presents."

Question 3: Comment on the use of foreign terms in the following context...

Comment on the use of foreign terms in the following context. Replace the foreign words with suitable Vietnamese equivalents if you think their use is excessive.

Just a few days after Microsoft fixed a critical flaw in its graphic software, a hacker named "cocorruder" disclosed details about two similar issues in the operating system.