I am most interested in learning about the many languages of the Montagnard people. There are more than 30 distinct Montagnard languages. The most prevalent languages spoken in North Carolina are Rhade, Jerai, Koho, and Mnong. Of the Montagnards who settled in Greensboro, North Carolina, Rhade is the most common language in the Greensboro area. Many Montagnards speak five to eight languages. Though this seems unfathomable, many of the linguistic trends of the distinct Montagnard languages are quite similar, therefore making it easier to pick up many Montagnard languages.
Montagnards who came to the United States in 1986 and 1992 usually spoke a minimal amount of English as a result of working with the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. However, most of the 2002 arrivals were village farmers without English language skills. Though it is easier for the children of the Dega people to learn English, there is usually little to no motivation in the household. This is because it is harder for adults and older children to learn English. Most elderly are unable to learn English.
I think it is important that in order for these immigrants to learn desire to learn English, Americans try to understand the language of their culture. Though native English speakers don't think of English as a hard language to learn, it is an extremely complicated language which has little to no relation to the languages of the Dega people. Language is an exchange of words in order to communicate. We might as well use language to be caring and helpful, instead of forceful. In order to help the Dega people be motivated to speak English, let's take a walk in their shoes and try to understand how difficult it truly is to learn a new language. I know it would be incredibly difficult to learn Rhade, but by showing that I am interested in their culture, I think the Dega would be more interested in learning my native language. Compassion!
"Montagnard Dega, or Degar, Are They Different Group of People? | Montagnard Foundation." Welcome to Degar Website. Web. 14 Apr. 2011. <http://montagnard-foundation.org/wp/faq/montagnard-dega-or-degar-are-they-different-group-of-people>.
"MONTAGNARDS - Their History and Culture." Center for Applied Linguistics. Web. 14 Apr. 2011. <http://www.cal.org/co/montagnards/vlang.html>.
"Montagnards: PDF File."
"Transparentia." The Special Forces Association, Chapter 57 Website. Web. 14 Apr. 2011. <http://www.chapter57sfa.org/MHCAP/who.html>.
"UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights | Montagnard Foundation." Welcome to Degar Website. Web. 14 Apr. 2011. <http://montagnard-foundation.org/wp/un-declaration-in-degar-language/un-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples>.
I still need to learn more about the linguistic trends of Rhade and English. I would like to understand how words are formed and how languages are passed down through generations of people.
I would also like to meet with a current ESL teacher who is teaching the Montagnard people and understand her struggles and ideas to best motive her students to learn English in order to succeed in the U.S. I'd also like to talk to some Montagnard people and learn a few words in their language.
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