VNU Journal of Foreign Studies

FIELD LINGUISTICS AND LANGUAGE FIELDWORK: FROM THEORY TO PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Van Khang Nguyen — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

As a sub-discipline of Linguistics, Field Linguistics focuses on collecting linguistic data, especially data that is little or unknown, including: phonetics, vocabulary, grammar, language structure, usage and other linguistic phenomena. Accordingly, the priority subjects of Field Linguistics are the languages of ethnic minorities, especially endangered languages. Along with the development of linguistics, science and technology, field linguistics has increasingly expanded its purpose, tasks, scope, subjects as well as methods of conducting fieldwork, document processing, etc. Secondly, it is undeniable that there remains a wide gap between theory and practice in Field Linguistics due to various issues or difficulties that emerge unexpectedly. The outcome of a field trip depends on the fieldworker's handling of the situation. This is a challenge to those who participate in linguistic fieldwork. With such a perspective, this article discusses issues considered fundamental and new in the expansion and extension of field linguistics. Also, the article introduces and analyzes our practical experiences in the fieldwork of languages in Vietnam.

PHASES AND ACTIONS IN THE JAPANESE - VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION PROCESS: A SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEW APPROACH

Chau Phuong Anh Phan — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the phases of one-direction translation from Japanese into Vietnamese through semi-structured interviews with five university instructors. The data were coded into two principal phases Analysis (A1-A4) and Reformulation (B1-B3) and organized as a binary matrix, on which the authors applied multidimensional scaling (MDS) to identify the structure of translation behaviors. The results reveal three groups: (1) G001, a minimal workflow emphasizing analysis and meaning verification; (2) G002 and G003, who share A1-A2 but diverge in Reformulation steps; and (3) G004 and G005, who share A2, A4, B1, and B3 but differ in the breadth of B-phase coverage. Step A2 emerges as a gateway for four of the five participants, after which strategies diverge markedly. These findings support the view that translation is a sequence of activities that are both cognitive and text-producing, and they inform recommendations for translator education and training.

CAN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) HELP TRANG QUYNH “PLAY ON WORDS” IN GERMAN?

Hoai An Le — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This paper examines the limitations of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in translating Vietnamese humorous narratives, particularly those deeply rooted in Vietnamese cultural contexts. This literary genre requires a high level of sensitivity to culture, context, and linguistic nuance. The study analyzes a selection of Trang Quynh stories translated from Vietnamese into German by AI systems (ChatGPT and Gemini). These translations were subsequently evaluated by a group of German native readers. Based on an analysis of the AI-generated translations and a comparison with the readers’ feedback, the paper discusses cases in which AI encounters significant difficulties or where translation proves effectively “untranslatable”. Through the evaluation of AI-generated translations based on Reiß’s framework, as well as on assessments by native readers, this study highlights the major challenges that AI faces in handling the distinctive features of Vietnamese humorous narratives, particularly in dealing with wordplay. The results of this initial small-scale dataset indicate that the ability to convey the humorous function and express deeper, multi-layered meanings through the characteristic use of wordplay in Trang Quynh narratives remains limited. Furthermore, the study suggests potential directions for the use of AI in teaching and learning German–Vietnamese translation.

THE REVELATION OF TRUTH AND MEDIATIONS OF BEING IN WU MING-YI’S THE MAGICIAN ON THE SKYWALK

Quoc Bao Truong — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article proposes an interpretive approach to Wu Ming-Yi’s short story collection The Magician on the Skywalk through the category of Truth in Martin Heidegger’s Being and Time, particularly via the concepts of unconcealment of truth (aletheia), concealment, and mediation. Rather than understanding truth as a correspondence between event and statement, the study elucidates the process through which truth emerges and ultimately collapses within the lived experiences of the characters. It further argues that judgments of truth in the work always remain provisional and hypothetical. On this basis, the article advances three interpretive propositions: (1) truth in the text does not assume a universal status but remains contingent and unstable; (2) truth operates as a mediated process in which unconcealment and concealment occur simultaneously within the structure of the characters’ experience; (3) the element of the marvelous is not merely an aesthetic device but also expresses the subject’s mode of perceiving and apprehending the world, particularly within urban life. In doing so, the article contributes to identifying the dynamic structure of truth in contemporary narrative as a process continually challenged by the very conditions of human existence.

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN SOCIAL MEDIA DISCOURSE: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE COMMENTS IN THE VIETNAMESE CONTEXT

Thi Bao Dung Dang, Van Lanh Le, Thanh Du Tran — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This article analyzes how intercultural communication is manifested in Vietnamese users’ social media discourse and examines the role of the Vietnamese sociocultural context in shaping these practices. Adopting a qualitative discourse-analytic approach, the study draws on a corpus of 72 public comments collected from Facebook and YouTube. The findings indicate that intercultural communication in the data is mainly manifested through three dimensions: negotiating cultural differences, constructing and contesting “us–them” boundaries, and critical reflection associated with cultural positioning. The data also suggest the imprint of the Vietnamese context through orientations to face, collectivist values, and the adjustment of public expression in online interaction. The study contributes to current scholarship by showing intercultural communication as a context-embedded discursive practice in digital environments and by adding a perspective from Vietnam to existing research on intercultural communication in social media discourse.

APPLICATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN TEACHING SPECIALIZED FRENCH WRITING AT LEVEL 2: A CASE STUDY OF THE PEOPLE’S POLICE ACADEMY

Thi Hue Nguyen — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In the context of higher education undergoing rapid transformation under the influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), this study investigates the integration of AI into the teaching of Police French writing at level 2 through a teacher-guided five-step pedagogical framework. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of AI use within this framework on writing performance, as well as to examine students’ and teachers’ perceptions of the model. An action research design was implemented with 30 students in an experimental group using AI and a control group without AI integration. The quantitative analysis based on end-of-term writing scores using a T-test revealed that the AI-supported group achieved a significantly higher mean score than the control group. In addition, the data from student surveys and teacher interviews indicated positive evaluations of the five-step framework, with AI perceived as a useful support tool at the pre-writing, drafting, and revision stages, contributing to increased learner confidence in writing tasks. However, several limitations were identified, particularly regarding the contextual appropriateness of AI-generated feedback in specialized police discourse and learners’ ability to effectively exploit the tool. The findings suggest that AI does not replace the teacher’s role but functions as a pedagogical support tool, enhancing the effectiveness of writing instruction in specialized foreign language education.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT POLICIES IN “FOREIGN LANGUAGE + VOCATIONAL SKILLS” TEACHING IN VIETNAM: A CASE STUDY OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE SECTOR

Chinh Khoa Do, Duc Anh Nguyen — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In response to the growing demand for higher education reform aimed at developing a workforce with both professional expertise and foreign language competence, this study seeks to identify an appropriate policy for integrating Chinese language instruction with disciplinary content in the context of Vietnamese higher education. Four policy models were examined: CS1 (independent dual-degree with practical orientation), CS2 (coordinated training linkage with practical collaboration), CS3 (integration of Chinese into disciplinary content – CLIL), and CS4 (dual-degree curriculum – CMI). Based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), the data were collected from seven experts and processed using geometric means to synthesize pairwise comparisons, calculate priority weights, and assess consistency through λmax, CI, and CR indices. The results show that all the matrices exhibit satisfactory consistency (CR < 0.04). Notably, CS3 (CLIL) received the highest priority weight (0.3392), standing out in terms of instructional quality and long-term sustainability. Accordingly, the study recommends giving priority to the pilot implementation of the CLIL model in fields with a high potential for content-language integration, while establishing a flexible monitoring mechanism to ensure effective contextual adaptation. These findings make a policy-oriented contribution to bilingual education development in Vietnam and propose a structured framework for optimizing interdisciplinary language teaching in non-native contexts.

THE ROLE OF CHINESE INDONESIANS IN INDONESIA’S ECONOMY DURING THE NEW ORDER (1967–1998)

Thi Phuong Linh Nguyen — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Indonesia is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic country with more than 300 ethnic groups, in which the Javanese and Sundanese constitute the majority, whereas Chinese Indonesians form a minority community. Although they account for only about 3 percent of the population, Chinese Indonesians controlled roughly 70 percent of the national economy during the New Order era. By applying the theory of crony capitalism and employing both historical and qualitative research methods, this article examines the role of the Chinese community in Indonesia’s economy under Suharto. Based on an analysis of the socioeconomic context of this period, the study clarifies the central role of Chinese Indonesians in the development of the domestic private sector and in promoting the country’s integration into the global economy. In doing so, it sheds light on the symbiotic relationship between the state and Chinese capital, while offering a more comprehensive understanding of the interplay among politics, the economy, and ethnicity in contemporary Southeast Asia.

TRANSLATION OF FRENCH PASSÉ COMPOSÉ IN LE PETIT NICOLAS A DES ENNUIS INTO VIETNAMESE

Triet Minh Vu, Ngoc Uyen Nhi Nguyen — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to clarify the translation of the temporal-aspectual meanings of the French Passé composé (PC) into Vietnamese, based on a literary corpus consisting of a short story and its Vietnamese translation. Two primary research issues are addressed: 1) the purposes of employing the PC in the story (through the pragmatic values of the PC based on the discourse characteristics of the work); 2) the linguistic means employed to render the temporal-aspectual meanings of the PC into Vietnamese (through two cases within the Vietnamese translation: situations that are marked and those that are unmarked by temporal-aspectual adverbs). The findings indicate that each type of PC is used to serve specific pragmatic goals of narrative texts. Furthermore, the study provides an in-depth analysis of the translation process and the specific challenges involved in conveying the temporal-aspectual nuances of the PC in Vietnamese.

CURRENT USE OF AI TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING TOOLS AMONG VIETNAMESE STUDENTS - A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THEIR IMPACT ON MOTIVATION TO LEARN JAPANESE

Thi Minh Phuong Tran — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has made remarkable advances, particularly in the field of language translation and interpreting. Numerous studies have indicated that once AI surpasses a certain threshold of capability, its performance can improve in a non-linear manner, resulting in profound impacts across various practical application domains. Specifically, machine translation applications on computers and smartphones now enable users to access high-quality translations within a few seconds. Automatic interpreting devices and software have also been widely adopted. Moreover, some applications integrate optical character recognition (OCR) through smartphone cameras, allowing instant translation of text in images without the need for manual input. In this context, an important question arises as to whether the widespread use of AI-based translation tools influences learners’ motivation to study foreign languages. At the same time, it is necessary to consider how the role of teachers and approaches to foreign language instruction should adapt to these technological changes. To address these issues, the present study investigates the current state of AI-based translation and interpreting tool usage among third- and fourth-year Japanese language majors. On this basis, the study conducts a preliminary analysis of the impact of these tools on learners’ motivation to study Japanese. Furthermore, the paper offers insights and proposals regarding future directions for Japanese language education in the contemporary AI- era.

ACADEMIC DIFFICULTIES OF FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS AT VNU UNIVERSITY OF LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

Thi Thang Nguyen, Phuong Huyen Nguyen, Thi Phuong Nguyen — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the prevalence, severity, and impact of academic difficulties on learning effectiveness among first-year students at the University of Languages and International Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi. A mixed-methods design was employed, with quantitative analysis as the primary approach. Academic difficulties were examined across four dimensions: learning goal setting, selection of learning strategies, development and implementation of study plans, and identification and resolution of academic tasks. The survey data was collected from 1,003 first-year students across multiple language faculties. The results indicated that students experienced moderate difficulties across all the four dimensions, with goal setting and strategy selection being the most prominent. Learning effectiveness after the first semester was relatively low. Significant differences in academic difficulties were found across faculties and Grade Point Average (GPA) groups. Correlation and regression analyses revealed significant negative associations between academic difficulties and learning effectiveness, particularly for difficulties related to learning goals, learning strategies, and task resolution.

PERCEIVED CRITICAL THINKING BEHAVIORS AMONG ENGLISH MAJORS AT A VIETNAMESE UNIVERSITY

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Critical thinking plays a pivotal role in teaching and learning, and it is especially crucial for learners at the tertiary level. Recent studies in education have shown increasing interest in developing learners’ critical thinking skills, as cultivating such skills provides important opportunities to enhance their knowledge and competencies. Therefore, investigating learners’ perceptions of critical thinking behaviors is essential for academic development in higher education. However, research in this area remains limited, particularly at the university level in Vietnam. For this reason, the present study was conducted to explore students’ perceptions of the behavioral manifestations of critical thinking in their learning at a university in Viet Nam. The data were collected from 287 English majors, complemented by in-depth interviews with 24 students. The findings reveal that English majors frequently engage in critical-thinking skills across various aspects of their academic activities, and that male students tend to demonstrate these behaviors more often than female students. The results further show that there is insufficient statistical evidence to conclude that learning experience (year of study) influences students’ critical-thinking behaviors. Based on these findings, the study contributes to a clearer understanding of how critical-thinking behaviors manifest among English majors in the Vietnamese higher education context.

THE ACQUISITION OF THE MODAL VERB 能 (NENG) IN CHINESE BY VIETNAMESE STUDENTS

Hon Vu Luu — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The modal verb 能 (neng) carries three main meanings: (1) expressing ability (能1); (2) indicating possibility (能2); and (3) denoting permission (能3). Based on an interlanguage corpus, this study examines how Vietnamese students acquire and misuse the modal verb 能. This study identified 2,048 instances of the modal verb 能. The meaning 能2 was the most frequently used, followed by 能1 and 能3. The research reveals that Vietnamese students acquire 能 relatively easily, grasping its various meanings even at the elementary stage. However, a notable number of errors, including overuse and misuse, persist. These errors occur across all the three meanings of 能 and at all the three stages of language learning. This study posits that factors such as the number of meanings of 能, semantic interference between 能 and other modal verbs, the differences between 能 and the Vietnamese equivalent “có thể”, and incomplete textbook content have influenced Vietnamese students’ acquisition of the modal verb.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF INTERPRETATION IN JAPAN AND VIETNAM

Thi Nhu Y Nguyen — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This paper compares two distinct trajectories in the history of interpretation in Japan and Vietnam, shaped by the unique contexts and strategies of each nation. The historical development of interpretation in Japan is characterized by state-driven proactivity and institutional guidance. Systematic institutionalization commenced from the 7th to 9th centuries, was reinforced through the Nagasaki Interpreters during the Edo period, and underwent continuous adjustment to respond to external challenges, exemplified by the Phaeton incident of 1808. The zenith of social recognition came from the influential media event of the Apollo Program in 1969, which elevated interpretation to the status of a formal academic discipline. Conversely, the history of interpretation in Vietnam was profoundly influenced by the colonial context, with initial professionalization emerging as a product of the ruling administrative apparatus. After 1945, interpretation was reoriented to serve as an instrument for the national liberation struggle, reaching its pinnacle at the Geneva Conference of 1954 and the Paris Peace Accords of 1973. Thus, while interpretation in Japan served the strategy of national development and international adaptation, interpretation in Vietnam functioned as a sharp instrument for the struggle for independence and the assertion of national sovereignty.