The relationship between language and culture is an integral part of a country’s traditions, identity and the unity of the people. To truly and deeply understand a community, one must be able to speak and appreciate its language.
There is a saying that goes “Even the strong storms aren't as scary as the Vietnamese language” (phong ba bão táp không bằng ngữ pháp Việt Nam). Its six tones and sounds that are tricky for a foreign tongue, make it exceptionally difficult for Westerners. What's more, an amalgam of influences — from Buddhist and Confucian beliefs to a modest and collective cultural disposition — means there are a lot of implicit meaning meanings in what is said. Within this culture, many circumstances and experiences require a unique language for Vietnamese people to fully express their feelings. Thus, some words can’t be directly translate translated from Vietnamese to English.
Here are the three words that represent the distinctiveness of Vietnamese culture and language.
Thương is a Vietnamese word used to show affection between family members or married couples.
Thương
Literally, thương , similar to love (yêu), indicates affection to someone, yet these two words are exceptionally different in terms of interpretations. Mixed between love and care, thương is a word that the Vietnamese often use to show a selfless, sacrificial kind of love or a subtle and humble affection towards others, rather than an intense and passionate emotion as “yêu.” While yêu is often reserved for couples in their first stage of a romantic relationships, we use thương for our family and friends when there is an occasion to verbally express such feelings — which is usually rare because Vietnamese don’t often expresses express affection verbally. Couples, particularly married ones, also use this word as they get to know more of each other. When we thương someone (romantically or not), we also are willing to take on the responsibilities that our relationship demands.
Đắng lòng is an internet slang to express a feeling of boredom towards a story or event.
Đắng lòng
Đắng lòng was a phenomenon born on the internet, so there are different way ways to interpret it. Literally, it has the same meaning as cay đắng, which describes something as a bitter pill to swallow. However, ever since it became trending and commonly used by Vietnamese youth, it has become a fun slang to express a mood or feeling about a certain story or event that we relate to a sense of boredom. Sometimes the event is not bitter at all, or even when it is, only to an acceptable extent.
Đượm is usually used to express the love for the homeland that lies very deep inside an entity.
Đượm
Đượm is both a verb and an adjective. In a form of an adjective, đượm is equivalent to something being combustible/easily set on fire and burns for a long time.“Củi cháy rất đượm” means “this firewood catches fire very easily.” However, if used as a verb, đượm means something pervades, soaks, or lies very deep inside an entity. It is usually used to explain the solidarity of the Vietnamese community and one’s love for the homeland and country. It is already difficult to explains explain in Vietnamese due to the depth and breadth of this word, let alone translate it into English. For instance, “Cậu bé ấy có một đôi mắt đượm buồn” can be understood as “there is sadness hidden in his eyes,” but to say “bài hát này thấm đượm tình yêu quê hương đất nước” as “there is love for the homeland in this song” doesn’t fully bring that whole indescribable feeling of penetrating patriotism when used in Vietnamese.
By: Lê Huyền Trúc Quỳnh| Nov 2, 2022
Editor: Trần Hà My
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