Many of them do speak but I think they are not comfortable speaking it. Because speaking in Lao especially in a formal way like here (being interview) require certain way of speaking and use of words they might not know off.
You do know they are in USA so it is not strange for them to be speaking in English.
I would not say that they are stupid, they just have no idea about Lao culture. In this regard, it is not their faults either. Few information about Lao culture there in USA can be found.
Probably, they just heard from their parents or relatives. They can speak out with such a idea, I am a Lao person living in Laos proud of them at least they love their own ancestors.
Yes, I always keep thinking over the fact that there is often and common pratice in Lao community that some people cannot accept Lao people properly. Everything Lao people would be bad for them. They would rather respect foreigners than their own Lao people.
That has been a weakness of some Lao people since long time ago. No wonder Laos lost Esaan part to Thailand.
They would rather respect foreigners than their own Lao people.
I don't believe that's a fact. I believe that in American society, we insist on Individualistic ideals. Concentrating on the Individual. If a Lao girl does not want to speak Lao, go to the wat and thuk baht on important holidays, and rather chase boys, go to the clubs, and get a degree, why not? That's what this culture says. There is a fine line to balance family and individual life, and Lao-American women have found that line. I believe that Lao-American women are more educated and smarter than their male counterparts.
And plus, there in a tendency in this Country to disbelieve or ignore what our parents say. When my parents or anyone talks of Muang Lao, we would see it as romanticizing that time and place, that really in fact has nothing to do with Lao children born and raised in the States.
I would not say that they are stupid, they just have no idea about Lao culture. In this regard, it is not their faults either. Few information about Lao culture there in USA can be found.
>what brought the subject of CULTURE to this topic? The video only talking about how to improve the event and what their personal goal and those girls answer those questions and make sugestion about the event.
Probably, they just heard from their parents or relatives. They can speak out with such a idea, I am a Lao person living in Laos proud of them at least they love their own ancestors.
> I don't know what you mean here but if you are refering to to culture/tradition we all follow are parents, relatives, and community.
Yes, I always keep thinking over the fact that there is often and common pratice in Lao community that some people cannot accept Lao people properly. Everything Lao people would be bad for them. They would rather respect foreigners than their own Lao people.
> Eventhough one of the member by the name of LAOPEOPLEARMY tend to think of us as foreigner to him and not Khone Lao like him it doesn't bother me. These girls might have born in USA and may be considered a foreigner to Lao back in Laos but atleast they still carry on Lao tradition. I am proud of that.
That has been a weakness of some Lao people since long time ago. No wonder Laos lost Esaan part to Thailand.
> Those people are still Lao but that is a different topic we can discuss some other time.
TSP wrote: I don't believe that's a fact. I believe that in American society, we insist on Individualistic ideals. Concentrating on the Individual. If a Lao girl does not want to speak Lao, go to the wat and thuk baht on important holidays, and rather chase boys, go to the clubs, and get a degree, why not? That's what this culture says. There is a fine line to balance family and individual life, and Lao-American women have found that line. I believe that Lao-American women are more educated and smarter than their male counterparts.
And plus, there in a tendency in this Country to disbelieve or ignore what our parents say. When my parents or anyone talks of Muang Lao, we would see it as romanticizing that time and place, that really in fact has nothing to do with Lao children born and raised in the States.
I see, thanks for helping me understand more about Lao people born and raised in USA.
>what brought the subject of CULTURE to this topic? The video only talking about how to improve the event and what their personal goal and those girls answer those questions and make sugestion about the event.
From what I got from the VDO, I thought the question is how to improve the event dedicating to, or keeping Lao culture or Lao tradition if you like, what new Lao generation in USA should do. Is it right?
That was why I said, when other young Lao-American people think that they have nothing to do with Lao culture or have no any idea about it, it would be hard for them to join, am I wrong?
Take Zak as an example of your new generation. Having read his comment, you would probably understand the real fact.
Its hard for Lao-American children to understand what is essentially Lao. Most go off and say they are "part Thai" when I know for sure they are not, or maybe they have a grandparent that is in fact Lao Issan.
A majority of children do no speak Lao either. They can comprehend it, but cannot speak it. (I came across two girls that can speak it... but not comprehend it. That was indeed awkward, and in fact, made me a bit mad). There is no pressure from the parents to force kids to speak it. Children will spit back English most of the time. Again, its a majority, maybe not even, there are still children that speak it fully everyday.
Eventually what will happen is that the Lao Language will become something that one a few will speak fluently. Thus so, in years to come, there might be a emergence of Lao-Language schools across the States, such as the weekend Japanese and Chinese schools.
Those who wish to retain the "Lao-American" title are the ones, for sure, to give great effort to preserving Lao culture, language, and ideology in America.
I tell you though, there are children here that still care. Look at the Lao-American college students across America who still give effort to have Lao clubs. The Wats across the States every year on New Years have young women and children parading in traditional Lao attire. It isn't dead.
> Eventhough one of the member by the name of LAOPEOPLEARMY tend to think of us as foreigner to him and not Khone Lao like him it doesn't bother me. These girls might have born in USA and may be considered a foreigner to Lao back in Laos but atleast they still carry on Lao tradition. I am proud of that.
Lan_Xang, which country issued you your passport? If it's not Laos then you're a FOREIGNER to us. Simple as that!
I have noticed that one of these ladies can speak Lao quite well. Probably, her parents speak Lao with her at home.
However, the speaker is not so professional. Maybe, he did not prepare himself at all for this interview.
By the way, may I know about their background like their education, I just wonder?
TSP, that young lady is a recent Lao immigrant to the US. She's a Patthammavong. A Well known and respected family in Viangchan. Her Great Grandfather was the first man to started the Septic Tank Services Business in Viangchan.
TSP, that young lady is a recent Lao immigrant to the US. She's a Patthammavong. A Well known and respected family in Viangchan. Her Great Grandfather was the first man to started the Septic Tank Services Business in Viangchan.
> Eventhough one of the member by the name of LAOPEOPLEARMY tend to think of us as foreigner to him and not Khone Lao like him it doesn't bother me. These girls might have born in USA and may be considered a foreigner to Lao back in Laos but atleast they still carry on Lao tradition. I am proud of that.
Lan_Xang, which country issued you your passport? If it's not Laos then you're a FOREIGNER to us. Simple as that!
That maybe so. You maybe a Laotian, a citizen of that country. But when you or I talk, do you need think we are the same? Khon Lao no matter what?
> Eventhough one of the member by the name of LAOPEOPLEARMY tend to think of us as foreigner to him and not Khone Lao like him it doesn't bother me. These girls might have born in USA and may be considered a foreigner to Lao back in Laos but atleast they still carry on Lao tradition. I am proud of that.
Lan_Xang, which country issued you your passport? If it's not Laos then you're a FOREIGNER to us. Simple as that!
But I am still Lao. It is alright if you lable me foreigner. Both of us are still Lao in my eyes.
You said: If it's not Laos then you're a FOREIGNER to us. Simple as that!
It is really too bad you and many people in Lao share your view. This is why we can never accomplish anything. People in America still think of you guys as fellow Laotians but you people in Lao does not think that.
Lan_Xang wrote: But I am still Lao. It is alright if you lable me foreigner. Both of us are still Lao in my eyes.
You said: If it's not Laos then you're a FOREIGNER to us. Simple as that!
It is really too bad you and many people in Lao share your view. This is why we can never accomplish anything. People in America still think of you guys as fellow Laotians but you people in Lao does not think that.
Lanxang, we do not deny your Lao Ethnicity but if you come to the Lao PDR with passport other than Lao then you'll be treated as such. How do you think the English are going to treat an Anglo-American going to England with American passport? C'mon it's doesn't take a Rocket Scientist to figure this one out!
Zak wrote: That maybe so. You maybe a Laotian, a citizen of that country. But when you or I talk, do you need think we are the same? Khon Lao no matter what?
Zak, in a personal level we have always considered you guys as kinsmen. However, we are obligated by international law and treaty to treat you as Foreigner when you showed up in Laos with a Foreign passport. However we do have legal ramification for you to recovered your Lao citizenship if you so desire. It's all up to you!
Lan_Xang wrote: But I am still Lao. It is alright if you lable me foreigner. Both of us are still Lao in my eyes.
You said: If it's not Laos then you're a FOREIGNER to us. Simple as that!
It is really too bad you and many people in Lao share your view. This is why we can never accomplish anything. People in America still think of you guys as fellow Laotians but you people in Lao does not think that.
Lanxang, we do not deny your Lao Ethnicity but if you come to the Lao PDR with passport other than Lao then you'll be treated as such. How do you think the English are going to treat an Anglo-American going to England with American passport? C'mon it's doesn't take a Rocket Scientist to figure this one out!
You are the damn right MR. L-army, let me just open up a beer-lao for you so, you can teach me how to ride a bicycle next day. I am very stubborn to understand the points.
rocker wrote: You are the damn right MR. L-army, let me just open up a beer-lao for you so, you can teach me how to ride a bicycle next day. I am very stubborn to understand the points.
Zak wrote: That maybe so. You maybe a Laotian, a citizen of that country. But when you or I talk, do you need think we are the same? Khon Lao no matter what?
Zak, in a personal level we have always considered you guys as kinsmen. However, we are obligated by international law and treaty to treat you as Foreigner when you showed up in Laos with a Foreign passport. However we do have legal ramification for you to recovered your Lao citizenship if you so desire. It's all up to you!
Lan_Xang wrote: But I am still Lao. It is alright if you lable me foreigner. Both of us are still Lao in my eyes.
You said: If it's not Laos then you're a FOREIGNER to us. Simple as that!
It is really too bad you and many people in Lao share your view. This is why we can never accomplish anything. People in America still think of you guys as fellow Laotians but you people in Lao does not think that.
Lanxang, we do not deny your Lao Ethnicity but if you come to the Lao PDR with passport other than Lao then you'll be treated as such. How do you think the English are going to treat an Anglo-American going to England with American passport? C'mon it's doesn't take a Rocket Scientist to figure this one out!
Yes the customer officer would probably label me as foreigner according to your law and my law if the role was reverse. I got it. That is clear to me.
But I am talking about you, LAOPEOPLEARMY, the person and other Lao citizens. You guys will think of me as foreigner? You will not call me khone Lao and accept me as a Lao?
Zak, in a personal level we have always considered you guys as kinsmen. However, we are obligated by international law and treaty to treat you as Foreigner when you showed up in Laos with a Foreign passport. However we do have legal ramification for you to recovered your Lao citizenship if you so desire. It's all up to you!
Hmm......I guess you may already answered my question in your reply to Zak.
Excuse me, but these girls do know how to speak lao. I live there and I know these girls, and they really do know how to speak lao. One of the girls is actually from Laos. The reason that they are not speaking is Lao is because the guy is talking to them in English.
For the people who said that we are stupid and can't speak lao, it's not true. we chose not to speak lao because we are not comfortable of speaking it. You can't just see us once and judge us on how we did like that. For me, personally, I feel more comfortable to speak lao when there's no camera pointing at me. Also, for one of the candidates that spoke lao very well, she was born in Laos. She lived in America for only a few years.
