Discussing Challenges in Learning of Sino- Vietnamese Words in Vietnamese Language by Chinese People
Professor Chen Shuangxin 陳雙新, Vu Kim Anh 武金英, Herbert Mushangwe 李開明

Abstract
Language constantly changes in response to people’s ever changing communication needs, Vietnamese language is also not excluded. A lot of linguists observe that Vietnamese language developed through various stages of language contact. Therefore, apart from the original native Vietnamese language (also known as pure Vietnamese language), there are other borrowed forms which resulted from language contact. The Chinese- Vietnamese language contact started in AD2, 3rd century stretching up to the 10th century, thus leaving profound impact. A large amount of Chinese vocabulary were absorbed and accepted into Vietnamese vocabulary and culture, making existing vocabulary richer. In modern Vietnamese vocabulary, Sino- Vietnamese words are very important. Nowadays there is also an increase of Chinese people learning Vietnamese language, thus the need to teach Sino- Vietnamese words is also rising. Acquisition of Vietnamese vocabulary does not end on grasping of simple vocabulary for communication purposes only, but there is also more and more need for understanding the use of Vietnamese for both spoken and written Vietnamese, especially by learners whose official language is Chinese. Therefore the main aim of this study is to find ways of teaching Sino- Vietnamese words to native speakers of Chinese learning Vietnamese, so as to help them understand and be able to use such vocabulary in appropriate contexts.

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