Vietnamese is an Austroasiatic language spoken by about 68 million people
in Vietnam. It is also spoken in Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Co^te
d'Ivoire, Finland, France, Germany, Laos, Martinique, Netherlands, New Caledonia,
Norway, Philippines, Senegal, Thailand, the UK, USA and Vanuatu.
Vietnamese was originally written with a Siniform (Chinese-like) script
known as Chu+~ No^m or
No^m. At first most Vietnamese literature was essentially Chinese
in structure and vocabulary. Later literature developed a more Vietnamese
style, but was still full of Chinese loan words. The greatest literary
work in Vietnamese is Kim Van Kieu, the 'Tale of Kieu', a romance
written by Nguyen-Du (1765-1820).
Chu+~ No^m was used until the 20th century. Courses in the
Chu+~ No^m script were available at Ho Chi Minh University until
1993, but since then knowledge of and interest in the script has died out.
During the 17th century, Roman Catholic missionaries introduced a Latin-based
orthography for Vietnamese, Quo^'c Ngu+~ (national language),which
has been used ever since. Until the early 20th century, Quo^'c Ngu+~
was used in parallel with Chu+~ No^m. Today only Quo^'c Ngu+~ is used.
Vietnamese alphabet
The letters J, W and Z are also used, but only in foreign loan words.
Vietnamese is a tonal language with 6 tones. These tones are marked
as follows:
Sample text in Vietnamese
Translation
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are
endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a
spirit of brotherhood. (Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)
We are having our 30th Anniversary Culture Night VSA, Biggest Show of the year NHAT KY HOC TRO coming on Mar 8th 2008. A spectacular show with professional singers, dancers, skits, and fashion show. With live music and much more.... You and your friends definitely DONT want to miss it. Please contact LEO TRUONG 714-616-9313 or KAREN (My Dung) 714-251-1273 right away for tickets. Please don't procrastinate, tickets are going fast.
Place: Robert. B. Moore Theatre ( Orange Coat College) *Directions shown on ticket* Time: Saturday March, 8th 2008 @ 6 PM PRE-SALE TICKETS: $12, @ DOOR: $15
Look forward seeing ya'all there. Please help spread the words. Thank you and appreciate for your attention :)
UVSA Norcal to Host Youth Forum on Little Saigon Naming Debate
San Jose, CA – The recent decision by the San Jose City Council to name a strip of businesses along Story Road, “Saigon Business District” in direct opposition of popular calls for “Little Saigon” have incensed many in the Vietnamese American community of Northern California. City councilwoman Madison Nguyen, who proposed the name change in opposition of community support, has been asked to step down by many in the local Vietnamese American community. Recent media accounts of the issue have largely sought to gain the perspective of community members present at the rallies pushing for a City Council decision reversal, but have failed to adequately represent the views of younger Vietnamese Americans.
The United Vietnamese Student Associations (UVSA) of Northern California will be hosting the Youth Forum to provide an open space where the next generation of Vietnamese Americans can speak up and share their thoughts and opinions without the fear of being judged, labeled, or criticized. UVSA firmly believes that the youth perspective should be represented in this debate, as we are the next generation to lead and struggle for the betterment of our community. The details are as follows:
Where: Tully Branch Library, 880 Tully Rd, San Jose, CA When: January 17, 2008, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm Contact: Tu-Anh Dang, Media Contact – tu-anh.dang@norcaluvsa.org, tel (408) 621-6807
The United Vietnamese Student Associations of Northern California (UVSA) is a non-profit, non-partisan, community-based organization founded in 2002 as a means for youth to organize socially and civically in Northern California. Committed to cultural awareness, educating youth, and community service, UVSA is composed of volunteers—including young professionals, college students, and high school students—to help youth develop a sense of their Vietnamese heritage and identity.
Hey Hows Life? Hope Everythings Great! Hope everyon's X-mas Went Great! And Was Filled With Presents and Joy! I WIsh You Guys An Early New Years ANd Hope The First Hours Of 08 WIll Be FIlled WIth Happiness! ......Behave.... <(^_^)> {Cali4nia}
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