VIET NAM - HO CHI MINH CITY
As an exchange student in Vietnam, I have embarked on a remarkable journey of cultural immersion and language acquisition. Adapting to a new country and (a tiny bit) of its language has presented its fair share of challenges, but it has also brought unexpected joys and valuable lessons. In this blog post, I will share my experiences of coping with the foreign language, the difficulties I've encountered, the surprising ease of certain aspects, and the strategies I've developed to bridge communicative differences.
Navigating a new language can be both frustrating and exhilarating. Vietnamese, with its unique tones and pronunciation, has posed some initial difficulties. Personally, I find great enjoyment in learning some Vietnamese and other languages as well. It's incredibly rewarding to pick up words and phrases and engage in small conversations with local people. By immersing myself in the language through conversations, language exchange with friends, or language apps, I have steadily improved my vocabulary and communication skills. I try to speak and learn some new things basically every time I am meeting with a Vietnamese friend. What I also do is going to markets and immerse myself in an environment where nobody speaks English.
One of the most challenging aspects of learning Vietnamese is learning the tones. The language has six different tones, and a slight change in tone can completely alter the meaning of a word. Mastering the Vietnamese tones can be particularly challenging, as some words may sound identical to an untrained ear. It´s worth to mention the differences in the language in the northern, central and southern regions of Vietnam. I often hear that even locals can struggle to understand people from other parts of Vietnam. That makes it not easier to learn the language as you always get different inputs when you are speaking with different people.
On the other hand, I was pleasantly surprised by the simplicity of basic greetings and everyday phrases. Learning to say "Xin chào" (Hello), "Cảm ơn" (Thank you), and "Tạm biệt" (Goodbye) helped me establish rapport with locals and made day-to-day interactions much smoother. The Vietnamese people are patient and encouraging, making it easier for me to practice and learn from my mistakes.
In order to bridge communicative differences, I have developed several strategies that have proven effective. Firstly, I actively seek opportunities to engage in conversations with locals. This not only improves my language skills but also helps me understand cultural nuances and customs better. Secondly, I utilize visual aids and gestures to complement my verbal communication. So, when I struggle to find the right words, I will use body language or gestures to communicate. Additionally, I use technology to enhance my language learning journey, utilizing language apps, online resources, and platforms like YouTube. These tools provide me with the ability to practice pronunciation and expand my vocabulary at my own pace. Technology like google translate also helps a lot if other things are not working.
I believe that the skills and knowledge I am acquiring as a language learner in Vietnam will be useful to me throughout my life. Effective communication is a vital skill in any context, and being proficient in multiple languages broadens my horizons and opens doors to new opportunities. Vietnamese might not be a widely spoken language but also have around 90 million native speakers. I personally think that learning a language which relies on tones might broaden my horizon even more. My experiences have deepened my understanding of cultural diversity and strengthened my empathy towards individuals who communicate in languages other than their native tongue. I have come to appreciate the struggles and triumphs that accompany language learning, fostering a greater sense of patience and understanding.
My journey as an exchange student in Vietnam has been a transformative experience, both personally and linguistically. Being able to speak and understand just a little bit of the language made my stay even better and I enjoy it even more. I have discovered the beauty and complexities of the Vietnamese language and culture, and I am grateful for the lifelong skills and knowledge that this experience has provided me.
Tạm biệt và hẹn gặp lại! (Goodbye and see you again!)