Lao language “problems amid external influence”

(KPL) Anybody could say that being a Lao-Thai translator is among the top-ten unnecessary jobs. Indeed, both languages are very similar, originate from the same root, and can be spoken and understood by people on both the banks of the Mekong River in their communication.

The use of Thai words in Lao language is spreading. At entertainment venues, Thai cultural products are widespread, and at home, everybody can watch Thai TV channels. Besides, Thai publications are a good source of scientific information for Lao students since it is easier than English and other languages.

Due to the above-mentioned causes, without studying in classrooms, Lao people can absorb Thai language easily, communicate and understand what Thai people say.

The increasing influence of Thai language in Lao society is not only due to outside influence, but also due to Laos’ weaknesses, ranging from poor education, especially correct use of Lao language, expensive publications and limited circulation, scarcity of Lao dictionaries, and lack of law on Lao language. That causes the non-uniform use of Lao language in the country, especially written language. To many, their spellings are influenced by their dialects.

Misprinted words on billboards, road sides, newspapers, or magazines, are commonly seen. At times, due to the influence of Thai media slamming every day, some people cannot use Lao words correctly. The influence is absorbed and replaced, that will lead to permanent replacement and absorption in the long run, if no measures and efforts are taken to handle the problem.

However, Lao and Thai experts view the problems differently. To some, the problem is viewed not critical yet, which could be corrected through the improvement of the education system and the uniform use of the language in the country. While others see it a main concern which needs to be resolved immediately.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bualy Paphaphanh, Head of Department of Lao Language and Mass Communication, Faculty of Letters, the National University of Laos, the problem is hard to make a clear-cut judgement. Any landlocked country like Laos can encounter that kind of issue. People living along the Vietnamese border will get the influence of that country, and people living near Thailand are also influenced by their neighbour.

Head of Thai and Oriental Languages Department, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Thailand, Rachan Nilawanapha, said: “It is not worrying now, but in the future, less than 20 years, if the problem remains unchanged. Why I could say that! Lao people watch Thai TV programmes and movies everyday, and cross Mekong to buy Thai goods. As long as this last, the problem will get worse. To some extent, speaking Thai is to get you understood, which is advantageous.”

Thai words have infiltrated into Lao language at the word level, said a Lao language teacher at Khon Kaen University, Thailand.

“A lot of students do not use Lao dictionaries as they think they can write what they say. But in fact this mentality is definitely wrong,” said Director of the National Library, Mrs. Kongdeuane Nettavong. She quoted foreigners saying: “I have never seen Lao students using Lao dictionaries because they master their language very well.”

“But in fact dictionaries use is necessary, because it will help us know the origin of words. If we do not promote dictionary use, our language will be declining day by day. I would like teachers to use dictionaries,” added Mrs. Kongdeuane Nettavong.

Relevant authorities have planned to develop a new Lao dictionary as few existing ones are old consisting of no words coined since 1960. However, the lack of experts and researchers who will develop linguistics, is a key problem preventing the plan from being realised. Therefore, the suggestion is to “use what we have and promote the national spirit to reduce the wrong language use.”

Some say that cable television pays a very important role in teaching Thai language to children. Especially Cartoon Network – a channel in the cable TV programme, which provides round-the-clock cartoon programmes; it is cartoon language, which is judged fighting; some spend hours on watching it. This is one reason people claim that children know Thai language better than their native Lao, and then speak less Lao words with their parents.

Many graduates from universities who use Thai words daily on speaking, admit they were cartoon-addicted in their childhood, said a consultant to the Lao Palm Leaf Manuscript Project, Mrs Dara Kanlaya.

Two years ago, relevant parties interviewed students at Vientiane Secondary School about the meaning of the word “Phae” (to win). The interviewees could not give the correct answer. Some said the answer was to lose and not win. While other 60 per cent of them said it was win. Even worse among the latter, they were not sure of their answer.

Mr Rachan said “Through the Thai media, children do not only learn language but also culture. When they often watch television, they think that their culture is out-of-date. Thai people also prefer watching Western movies, spending time with friends and not with relatives, and they become impolite with their parents.”

In 1989, the National Library kicked off its reading promotion project despite limited financial support and books. Several parties make great efforts in promoting writing and reading of Lao language, while admitting that it is rather late. The society has to brace the influx of Thai language and culture through the Thai media.

“Nowadays, if we pay less attention to Lao pupils’ language learning and only pay more to those of secondary and university, we will lose our language”, said Mrs Dara. She added: “I want this problem to be solved, because I don’t want Lao people to lose our language and culture. I would like our people to study deeply our own language, because it is a beautiful, colourful and interesting language.”

Writers face difficulties in writing new books because there is no guidance on Lao culture and correct language use. They say it is necessary to found linguistics council equipped with experts from sectors in the society. The problem of Lao language not only troubles Lao people, but foreigners as well.

“Teaching and studying of Lao language in my university is difficult because documents on Lao language are very rare, even in the National Library. We can find materials only in Bangkok, copied from the libraries in the USA, France and UK”, said Mrs. Rattana Chantao, a Lao language teacher at Khon Kaen University.

A task force of Lao language problems was once formed by the Prime Minister’s Office, gathering experts from the Ministry of Information and Culture and relevant authorities. Unfortunately, only a few meetings had been held and what was discussed at the meeting was not furthered, because there were not enough experts, researchers and funds.

Therefore, the invitation of foreign researchers and experts to deal with the problem is seen as another choice.



“We have no problem with cooperation with Laos. For instance, last year we sent students to train in the Lao National Library and the National University of Laos. We also have students completing their master and doctoral degrees from our university and working in Laos. These people can participate in our possible cooperation in the future,” said Mr Rachan.



The story is produced under the “Imaging Our Mekong” media fellowship programme (www.newsmekong.org), run by IPS Asia-Pacific and Probe Media Foundation Inc with the support of the Rockefeller Foundation.

Source: kpl