COLORFUL KHMER CULTURE IN AN GIANG - Part 4: Preserving the language of the people

Bustling Khmer language class

On summer days, when the cicadas begin to chirp, the yard of Ca Nhung Pagoda in Dinh Hoa Commune is bustling with the sounds of reading and spelling Khmer words. In the peaceful space, the children's voices resound steadily, following the rhythm of the monks' pointing fingers. This year, the pagoda opened 3 classes, with nearly 70 students, lasting for 3 summer months, studying every day of the week to take advantage of the time to impart knowledge.

Sitting neatly on rows of simple wooden tables, the children attentively wrote down each stroke, recited each consonant and vowel with all seriousness and eagerness. Venerable Danh Do - Deputy Abbot of Ca Nhung Pagoda, while correcting each stroke of the students' handwriting, shared: "We teach the children to read, write and communicate in Khmer. It is not only a language, but also a national cultural identity, a bridge to the origin."

The Khmer class at Ta Ngao Pagoda, Tinh Bien Ward is equally bustling. This activity has been maintained by the pagoda for more than 6 years now. From the beginner to the advanced classes, the classes are organized seriously, with well-structured curriculum and completely free teaching. This year, the pagoda has put into use 4 new classrooms, attracting more than 100 students. Venerable Chau Khi - Abbot of Ta Ngao Pagoda excitedly said: "The children are happier because they have new classrooms. Many of them are confused when holding chalk for the first time, but their eyes are bright and eager to learn". Néang Ny Ta, a resident of Tinh Bien Ward, proudly said: "Thanks to learning Khmer, I understand more about the national culture. I like reading books in Khmer about history and traditions".

Venerable Danh Hoang Nan - Deputy Abbot of Xeo Can Pagoda, Vinh Hoa Commune in a Khmer language class. Photo: DANH THANH

Arriving at Duong Xuong Moi Pagoda in Dinh Hoa Commune, we could hear the pronunciation and spelling of Khmer students from afar. This year, Duong Xuong Moi Pagoda opened 7 classes, from grade 1 to grade 4, attracting more than 100 students. The classrooms only had old desks and chairs, blackboards and white chalk, but they helped many generations learn to read and write in the Khmer language.

In the digital age, children are increasingly familiar with Vietnamese from television and social networks. This has caused the Khmer language to gradually fade away in daily life. Therefore, Khmer classes at pagodas are considered a "space to restore the Khmer language", where children can relive their own cultural identity. During a weekend class, Danh Thi Bao Nguyen - an 8th grade student from Dinh Hoa commune said: "Learning Khmer helps me understand more about my people. Later, I want to teach it to younger children."

Not only children, many parents also realize the importance of preserving the national language. Despite being busy with farming, Mr. Danh Thol, a resident of Hon Dat commune, still regularly takes his children to Soc Xoai pagoda to study every day. “My wife and I do not know Khmer, so we cannot learn about the history of the nation. We are determined to let our children study to understand their roots,” Mr. Thol shared.

Many challenges in the new era

In An Giang , the Khmer people account for about 8% of the population. The Khmer language is still maintained at different levels in the daily life of the people, especially in rural areas. However, according to Venerable Danh Ut - Abbot of Thon Don Pagoda, Rach Gia Ward, most Khmer children learn Vietnamese at school, but when they return home, they speak Khmer but cannot write clearly. Many children can listen, understand and speak but cannot read or write Khmer, especially in urban areas. Meanwhile, traditional historical documents are preserved in Khmer. This is a big challenge in preserving the language and writing of the people.

The shortage of teachers and parents working far from home have also made the journey to preserve the national language more difficult than ever. Venerable Danh Thuyen - Deputy Abbot of Ca Nhung Pagoda said: "Previously, each class attracted hundreds of students, now there are only a few dozen students. Parents are busy making a living and pay little attention to learning Khmer. Many children do not see the role of their mother tongue, so they lack motivation to learn."

To maintain the classes, the pagodas mobilized parents and benefactors to support notebooks, books, bicycles, and organized awards for excellent students to encourage their learning spirit. The classes stemmed from the enthusiasm of the monks who wanted to preserve the language and writing of their compatriots.

Keep the national soul

Under the hot summer sun, Mr. Danh Sam Bach - a teacher at Nam Thai 2 Primary School is still enthusiastically teaching Khmer students at Thu Ba Pagoda, An Bien Commune. This year is the 26th summer he has volunteered to teach here. For him, teaching Khmer is not a short-term job, but part of the mission of preserving national identity. "Many students come to class who have never learned Khmer. The class has both primary and secondary school students, so I have to find a way to teach in the easiest way to understand and remember," Mr. Bach said, his hands still carefully adjusting his students' writing.

Teacher Danh Sam Bach guides students in writing Khmer characters. Photo: BAO TRAN

Not only teaching students how to write each letter, Mr. Bach also incorporates folk tales, legends, customs, and rituals of the Khmer people, helping them gradually absorb the love for the language and cultural identity of their people. Danh Thanh Huy, a student from Hamlet 4, An Bien Commune, shared: “Mr. Bach teaches very enthusiastically. Sometimes he holds my hand and carefully writes each letter. Thanks to him, I understand and love the language of my people more.”

To have more students learn Khmer writing, he often encourages local people and Buddhists to send their children to class during the summer. He is willing to take some students who do not have the means to go to the pagoda to study. Thi Phuong Nga, a student living in Hamlet 4, An Bien Commune, emotionally said: "My parents work for hire and cannot take me to school. With Mr. Bach taking me there, I am very happy to be able to study with my friends."

The image of Master Danh Sam Bach is a symbol of the efforts to preserve and conserve the Khmer language and writing. Contributing to the journey are monks, the community and the government. The Provincial Association of Patriotic Monks and Monks has implemented many solutions to train and foster teachers of Khmer language, and at the same time applied information technology to prepare electronic textbooks to help students access more easily. Venerable Danh Dong - Chairman of the Provincial Association of Patriotic Monks and Monks said: "The spirit of pride and awareness of preservation of the Khmer people themselves are the decisive factors. A language only lives when it is used, loved and passed on."

Chau Thanh Secondary Boarding Ethnic High School also arranges 3-4 Khmer language lessons per week, ensuring that 100% of students can learn. The lessons not only teach letters but also incorporate lessons on Khmer ethics and culture, helping students understand the national traditions. Many students now know how to read and write Khmer fluently. “In Khmer language lessons, the school’s teachers focus on teaching grammar, vocabulary and incorporating lessons on Khmer ethics and culture. Through Khmer language lessons, students will understand more about the cultural traditions and history of the nation,” said Mr. Danh Hung - Vice Principal of Chau Thanh Secondary Boarding Ethnic High School.

The Provincial People's Council passed Resolution No. 13/2024/NQ-HDND, dated July 22, 2024, to support Khmer language teachers at religious establishments at a rate of VND 30,000/lesson. Every year, the province provides hundreds of millions of VND in funding to buy bilingual textbooks. Director of the Department of Ethnic Minorities and Religions Danh Phuc affirmed: "Thanks to practical policies, teaching and learning of ethnic minorities is increasingly effective, the literacy rate of our people is increasing."

“Writing and language are the soul of a nation. Losing language means losing roots,” the simple saying of an old monk in An Giang is like a profound warning. While the new era sweeps away all the old things, there are still pagodas, teachers and generations of students who are persistently preserving the national language so that the Khmer cultural identity always shines in the hearts of the young generation.

(To be continued)

B. TRAN - D. THANH - T. LY