That “old man” is artisan An Ngoc Luong, Vice President of the Association for the Preservation and Development of San Diu Ethnic Culture in Bac Giang Province. Although he is in his seventies, his enthusiasm has never diminished, he always aspires to bring the San Diu ethnic language back to every household. Mr. Luong shared his concerns: “Most of the San Diu ethnic families in Bac Giang, at home, the children still speak Kinh language, not the ethnic language. If this continues, the ethnic language will gradually be forgotten.”

The artisan traveled around the village roads and alleys to each house to encourage the people.

Rain or shine, the old artisan does not hesitate to visit each family member’s house to learn about the current situation of using the San Diu ethnic language. From there, he gives advice and encourages people to participate in San Diu ethnic language classes held locally, while helping them love and understand more the importance of preserving and maintaining the ethnic language.

Artist An Ngoc Luong shared: “Kinh is now easier to speak than San Diu. We don’t speak it often, so it’s difficult to use words that we haven’t spoken for a long time. So now we need to pay attention, send our children to school, speak often at home, with grandparents speaking, parents speaking, they may not be able to speak but they can still listen, and with going to school, they will gradually speak well.”

Mr. Luong often visits and encourages people to actively speak the San Diu ethnic language.

For multi-generational families, Mr. Luong actively persuades the grandparents who still know and remember the ethnic language to teach the younger generations. For the Association for the Preservation and Development of San Diu Ethnic Culture in Bac Giang Province and members of the San Diu Ethnic Culture Preservation and Development Associations, Mr. Luong regularly reminds members to be exemplary in using the ethnic language at home to create an environment to preserve and conserve the San Diu ethnic language.

Mr. Luong said: “In all villages, we must coordinate with the Party Committee, People's Committee of communes, Party cell secretaries, village chiefs, prestigious people, and the Front Work Committee to encourage children and strengthen the activities of the conservation association at the village level so that the activities are effective and practical. First of all, members of the conservation association must set an example in speaking the ethnic language at home and teaching their children and grandchildren at home. In the activities of the conservation associations, we require monthly and quarterly review of the members' responsibilities and setting an example in speaking the ethnic language at home to create attraction in preserving the language.”

Children enjoy learning the San Diu ethnic language through the Soong Co melody.

Not only that, artisan Ngoc Luong also actively supports the organization and operation of San Diu language classes, establishing the Soong Co Singing Club (traditional folk songs of the San Diu ethnic group) in the locality to create joy and a place for people to gather and through singing, create attraction and appeal to learners, while spreading love for the traditional language and melodies of the ethnic group.

In fact, the classes have achieved certain results, which is a good sign for the work of preserving the San Diu ethnic language. Meanwhile, the Soong Co singing club has an increasing number of members and is getting younger and younger. Many children are interested in participating and are determined to learn the ethnic language. Tran Phi Yen, Quy Son commune, Luc Ngan district, Bac Giang province, expressed: "I like singing in San Diu. I will study more to become more fluent in San Diu".

In 2024, the Bac Giang Provincial Ethnic Committee consulted with the Provincial People's Committee to compile 7 documents to teach ethnic minority languages ​​in Bac Giang province, which are the Tay, Nung, Luc Giao, San Diu, Hoa, Cao Lan and San Chi. Of which, the San Diu ethnic document has been basically completed. Mr. Luong is one of the members of the editorial board of this document. The compilation of the document encountered many difficulties, from unifying standards, collecting data, reviewing information to funding... Mr. Luong confided: "During the compilation process, we found it really difficult, so we had to be more determined. Although we did it without any remuneration or anything, but with the desire to preserve the customs and practices of the ethnic group, we were determined to do it."

When this document is completed, it will be the standard in the teaching of San Diu language. From the oral method, San Diu language is taught in summer classes in villages and is expected to be introduced into schools with standard curriculum.

For the younger generation to continue to maintain and preserve the San Diu ethnic language, it is a long journey, requiring the unanimous efforts of all levels of government, folk artists and ethnic people. And so, the figure of the old artist is still imprinted on every village road and alley and on the journey to bring the San Diu language back to every home!

Article and photos: QUYNH ANH