Evolution of language sparks concerns in Laos

 

It is important to note from the start that one cannot be stuck entirely in the past as to do so is to ignore the fact that language evolves and new terms are needed to describe the myriad of changes taking place in modern society.

 

However there is also a need to preserve the integrity of the national vernacular otherwise it threatens to be diluted by outside influences and the adoption of parlance from other common languages such as Thai and English, for instance.

 

Laos is one of many countries that has its own spoken and written language, not to mention the many other ethnic languages which also abound, and the Lao language should be preserved as part of the national culture.

 

Lao school textbooks even describe the Lao language as “abundant,” suggesting there are more than enough descriptive terms in existence today to cover most situations in everyday life and society.

 

However in the modern day, there are concerns emerging that the younger generation in general and also the media sometimes speak in strange terms that are adapted from other languages.

 

Television, the media generally and these days increasingly social media and globalisation are having a big influence on the younger generation and more young people are taking up and adapting non-native terms for use among their peers.

 

Laos is part of a global family, so it is unlikely that we can completely escape foreign influences on the national language, especially from English as the global language and language of commerce or from Thai which has common roots with Lao in its Bali and Sanskrit past and also widespread influence through the Thai media which spills over into Laos.

 

As a former colony under the French, Laos also came under its influence but the very occasional French word pales into insignificance when compared with those adopted from English and especially from Thai.

 

It should be noted though, that in some situations, Lao people have no choice but to use these terms, especially modern words for which there has been no historical precedent or those that improve communication by giving a more precise or accurate meaning.

 

Let us take for example the English term “online” that we now use every day. In English you might refer to the digital conversation as being part of “online society” while in Lao it is described as “sang khom online,” with “sang khom” referring to society.

 

In this instance there is no comparable Lao word for online so the easiest thing to do is to use the English equivalent. Generally speaking, people seem to have no choice but to use foreign terms in situations such as this.

 

Another such example is “social media” which while there are Lao words for social and media, when combined the Lao term would refer more to ‘media for society' and would not be associated with internet based social networks . For this reason the English version is preferred.

 

“Gig” is another classic example of an adopted word which is widely used, this one amongst the older generation as well as the youth.

 

To have a “gig” means you have a lover without obligation or commitment. The newly developed term “gig” probably has its origins in English but its use is also widespread in Laos.

 

So having highlighted some examples, why is the use of correct language a matter to all of us?

 

Well in some situations it certainly is. For example in the media, if we adopt terms from foreign languages for the sake of convenience we will run the risk of contributing to the dilution of the national language.

 

Regardless of whether it is on television, radio or in print, if the reporters and hosts use new terms in their publication that are unfamiliar they will cause confusion amongst their audience. Also they are unlikely to escape criticism from linguistics people that they are failing to preserve and promote the local language.

 

However, speaking realistically, language has its own evolution and each day new words are being created for use in different situations and to make communication better, so it is up to the individual to use it correctly to represent their personality, identity and culture.

 

Language experts advise that the use of the language and terms should be done in such a way as to preserve its resilience. While language is alive and always evolving care should be taken to avoid the unnecessarily rendering of older terms as obsolete because they are part of the roots of the language, which is central to the identity of society.

 

Vice President of the National University of Laos Associate Prof. Dr Phouth Simmalavong is of the view that if there is already a local Lao term in existence but people chose not to use it and adopt a foreign term instead then this is illegitimate.

 

There would be many hundreds of Thai words in use unnecessarily but for the sake of example a couple of English words which enjoy widespread use even though there are Lao equivalents include ‘party,' ‘serious' and ‘take care.'

 

However Dr Phouth acknowledged that sometimes using foreign terms is unavoidable. “In some cases, it is necessary to use some non-native terms because we don't have such a term, for example ‘computer,' we can't translate it in Lao as the equivalent of a human brain or ‘sa mong khon'” he said.

 

Dr Phouth explained that language in principle is a symbol; it is like part of our physical body and if people do not use it will become paralysed. “It is the same with language, if people do not use it, it will die.”

 

He believes that some terms including many agricultural terms in Laos will continue to die off as more of the population moves to the cities and is subjected to increasing outside influence.

 

New terms, however, can also make communication richer and for the sake of understanding some terms for which there is no equivalent it is easier to adopt common foreign terms rather than try and bring a new local word into common parlance.

 

Anything to do with computers and electronics which are ubiquitous the world over could serve as such an example, ‘USB' or ‘wifi' for instance.

 

However Dr Phouth warned that “There are some people that we call cultural assimilationists that accept other languages and don't use their own even though those words exist,” stressing that they will be slowly losing their own language as they do so.

 

“Those who assimilate more, they will lose their identity. It is considered as inappropriate if people use only 80 percent of the Lao language,” Dr Phouth said.

 

Linguistic experts compare language usage to more visible traditions and stress that using the national language is like wearing traditional national dress.

 

The clothes that people wear represent a part of their identity and make them recognisable and it is important to recognise that language is no different and in fact runs a lot deeper than dress as it is more central to identity.

 

In this digital era, said Dr Phouth, no matter where people hide they can't escape from information that has gone viral on the internet and social networks .

 

“However the most important thing people need to keep in mind is that we have to understand who we are, which includes what our culture is and the nation we belong to, because that is what makes us who we are,” he said.