Distinguished Scholar CHEN Zhiyi Presents a Series of Fantastic Lectures

From Dec. 21 to Dec. 31, CHEN Zhiyi, professor in the School of Language Studies at the Humanistic and Social Science University subordinating to the Hanoi National University in Vietnam, visited GDUFS for a 10-day academic exchange.

Professor CHEN delivered a lecture.

In the lecture titled “Vietnam’s Traditional Culture under the Background of Modernization” given on Dec. 23, Professor CHEN introduced the principle methods of studying traditional culture as well as its’ value. He mentioned that there are mainly four aspects to studying the culture of a country or ethnicity, which are language, folk literature, belief, history and so on. So he did an in-depth exploration about Vietnam’s traditional culture starting from Vietnam’s basic value system, containing ethnic solidarity spirit, patriotic spirit, righteousness and optimism, perseverance, social equality spirit as well as harmonious and altruistic spirit, etc.. He also cited some of the most representative Vietnamese proverbs, songs, folklore and historical allusions, elaborating vividly the traditional cultural elements included. In addition, how to inherit and promote Vietnam traditional culture under the background of modernization and keep pace with the times at the same time were also explored.

In the lecture titled “Vietnam language culture ramble under the Southeast Asia language environment” on Dec. 25th, in the afternoon, professor CHEN explained two different concepts, “Southeast Asia’s geographic regions” and “Southeast Asia’s geographic cultural areas”. “Southeast culture” study includes the study of “southeast geographic regions” as well as the surrounding regions. He pointed out that Vietnam is a microcosm of the Southeast Asian cultures and further explained their embodiment in Vietnam from the material culture aspect and the spiritual culture aspect.

Furthermore, he elaborated the spread and the influence of Indian civilization, Chinese civilization, the western colonial culture and Islam culture to Vietnam, together with the assimilation of foreign cultures and the long-term combination of these culture, making the unique local culture come into being.

A student asked a question

CHEN Zhiyi’s visit to GDUFS, improves the understanding and grasp of the forefront of academic research about Vietnamese language in our school and provides a broader stage for the academic communication and incorporation of the Vietnamese major. Professor CHEN also brought an important massage for us: “Vietnam’s ministry of education is studying, discussing and performing the public policies related to linguistics and minority linguistics study.”

Professor CHEN with teachers and students.

Attachment: brief introductions about professor CHEN zhiyi.

Professor CHEN Zhiyi is one of the most famous professors focusing on the Vietnam area. He has committed himself to the phonetics and lexicology of Vietnam, the minority languages in Vietnam, and to culture and language policies. He got his linguistics PhD in 1987 and professor title in 2005. Now he is the Director of the “Vietnam minority language culture center” and of the “red river drainage basin and minority in mountainous area development study center”. He served as the Director of the School of Language Studies in Humanistic and Social Science University subordinating to the Hanoi National University in Vietnam and was a committee member of the Vietnam Professional Title Appraisal Committee (2009-2013) and vice-chairman of Hanoi Linguistics Association in Vietnam(2008-2013). He taught in GDUFS for one year in 2005.

Main academic monograph:

Vietnam Phylogeny, Vietnam Education Press, 2011

Comparative Study on the History of Viet-Muong Branch, Hanoi National University Press, 2011

Vietnam Language and Culture Policies, Hanoi National University Press, 2003

The Development of Language and Social Culture, Culture and Information Press, 2001

Main academic thesis:

The Historical Understanding of Army General Gaolu’s Name in the Anyangwang Period, 2013

The Language and Culture Characteristics of Cross-border Ethnicities between Vietnam and China, 2012

Spatial and Geographic Characteristics of the Development in Vietnam, 2011

The Tone Corresponding Relationship between Ancient Han-Viet and Modern Han-Viet, 2010

The Name of Red River: the Linguistic Evidence of Culture Diversity during Different Historical Period of Vietnam, 2010

The Etymology and Semantic New Exploration of Name Cổ Loa, 2005