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Although it is similar to the Thai and Khmer languages, and has incorporated thousands of words and expressions from the Chinese language, the origins of the Vietnamese language are unknown.
The Vietnamese language has six tones, which are represented by the following signs:
Vietnam's original language, the Choe nôm, was iconographic. In a derivation of the Chinese language, Vietnamese words consisted of two symbols: the first indicating meaning and the second pronunciation. During the sixteenth century, a French missionary, Alexandre de Rhodes, developed a version of the language using the Roman alphabet. It was called the Quoc Ngo, and it remains in use to this day. The Choe nôm is now used only on special occasions or as an art form.
The Vietnamese language reflects the family structure and its hierarchy. Family members are often referred to according to their relationships to others rather than by their given names. For example, a Vietnamese man talking about his sister who is the second eldest female in the family might call her "Sister 2". Terms of address can be a way of showing respect, as this Vietnamese saying illustrates: "If you meet an elder, call him Grandfather; if he is a little bit younger, call him Uncle; and if he is about your age, call him Older Brother." In Canada, the younger generation of Vietnamese - those attending Canadian schools - have mixed feelings about their mother tongue. Most believe that it is important to know the language but not all can speak it fluently. At home, their parents try to keep it alive, but sometimes the need to practise in English or French takes precedence over speaking Vietnamese.
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