On March 10, 2025, discussions surrounding the rise of slang and internet language usage among Vietnamese youth gained prominence through insights offered by PGS.TS Phạm Văn Tình, Vice Director of the Vietnam Studies Institute. He pointed out how modern technological influences have spurred young people to adopt and adapt diverse forms of communication, often straying from traditional Vietnamese language norms.
According to PGS.TS Phạm Văn Tình, "Slang is created by groups for internal secrecy." This style of communication serves various purposes, including providing trendy ways for youth to express themselves, entertain peers, and sometimes even outmaneuver parents and teachers. Youngsters today find themselves experimenting with language, leading to rapidly changing slang vernacular.
“The excessive use of slang affects the purity of the common language and diminishes the beauty of Vietnamese,” PGS.TS Phạm Văn Tình asserted, noting the transformations are powered by technology. Various expressions, such as the term "xịt rịt" — which is derived from the English word "secret" — showcase how linguistic creativity has taken hold among the youth, offering novel, playful ways to communicate.
This phenomenon isn’t isolated. PGS.TS Phạm Văn Tình observed similar trends occurring globally, likening the situation of Vietnamese youth to linguistic changes seen among young people in countries like the USA, Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The professor referenced sentiments expressed by a Filipino academic, stating, "If my students speak to each other in jejemon (internet language), that's their business. But if they bring it to the exam, I will fail them." This highlights the potential pitfalls associated with straying too far from language norms.
A growing trend of using playful linguistic expressions, sometimes deliberately mispronouncing common words, has raised alarms among language purists. While the intent may be playful for many youths, it raises questions about the consequences of such shifts on the broader Vietnamese language. These questions became more pressing as generational shifts lead to changing perspectives about language's role and importance.
Notably, the media discourse surrounding the phrasing of state visits, such as the recent trip by Tổng Bí thư Tô Lâm to Indonesia, sparked criticism for grammatical inaccuracies and ambiguous statements. Reports noted the official phrasing included the confusing term "thăm cấp Nhà nước tới Indonesia" ("visiting the state level to Indonesia"), drawing ire from language advocates. The author of the critique questioned the clarity and correctness of such expressions, stating they were rife with confusion and grammar errors.
He challenged language experts and authorities about how this phrasing aligned with proper Vietnamese language standards, asserting, "Discourse like this is extremely confusing, unambiguously wrong about the structure of the language. This undermines the principles of clarity and purity of Vietnamese.” While some media outlets like Tuổi Trẻ opted for simpler structures focusing on clarity — reporting merely "Tổng Bí thư Tô Lâm thăm Indonesia" ("General Secretary Tô Lâm visits Indonesia") — the tendency to capitalize elements unnecessarily persists among major outlets, raising concerns among those who advocate for language integrity.
Reflecting on the evolution of the Vietnamese language, PGS.TS Phạm Văn Tình emphasized the importance of maintaining the language's intrinsic value. He cited the saying, "If our language remains, our country remains," by Phạm Quỳnh, underscoring the intrinsic link between language preservation and national identity. He urged collective responsibility among educators, scholars, and parents to guide the younger generation toward sustainable and respectful language use.
Despite advances and modernizations, the essence of Vietnamese must be upheld amid these challenges. It requires consideration of how new forms of language can coexist with traditional usage without compromising the structural and cultural integrity of Vietnamese. PGS.TS Phạm Văn Tình called for reflection, stating, "It takes unity to help make the Vietnamese language richer, more beautiful and clearer.” His passionate plea reinforces the importance of preserving language as the cornerstone of identity against globalization and modern influences.
This discourse surrounding Vietnamese youth's language use puts the spotlight on the broader intersection of tradition and innovation. It provokes important discussions around linguistic purity and presents this era of slang and playfulness as both a challenge and opportunity for the Vietnamese language's evolution.