Why does Vietnamese have so many pronouns?

Pronouns and Social Hierarchy in Vietnamese

In Vietnamese, pronouns play a crucial role in conveying social hierarchy and interpersonal relationships. Unlike English, which primarily uses pronouns to indicate grammatical person and number, Vietnamese pronouns carry additional semantic information that reflects the speaker’s and listener’s status, age, and social standing.

This intricate system of pronouns is rooted in Confucian principles, which emphasize respect for authority and social order. The use of specific pronouns signals the speaker’s deference or intimacy towards the person they are addressing.

Levels of Formality

Vietnamese pronouns can be categorized into three main levels of formality:

• Formal: Used in official settings, when addressing strangers, or when speaking to someone in a higher social position.
• Polite: Used in social interactions, when addressing acquaintances, colleagues, or people in a similar social standing.
• Intimate: Used in informal settings, when speaking to close friends or family.

Types of Pronouns

Within each level of formality, there are multiple pronouns that can be used to express different grammatical persons and relationships.

• First Person:
  • Formal: “tôi”, “ta”
  • Polite: “tôi”, “chúng tôi”, “em” (when speaking to an older person)
  • Intimate: “tao”, “mình”
• Second Person:
  • Formal: “anh/chị”, “ông/bà/cô/bác” (used with people older than the speaker)
  • Polite: “anh/chị”, “em” (when speaking to someone younger)
  • Intimate: “mày”, “cậu”
• Third Person:
  • Formal: “ông/bà/cô/bác”, “hắn/cô ấy”
  • Polite: “anh/chị ấy”, “em ấy”
  • Intimate: “nó”, “hắn”

The choice of pronoun is influenced by several factors, including the gender, age, and relative social status of the speaker and listener. For example, a younger person would typically use a formal or polite pronoun when addressing an older person, while an older person could use an intimate pronoun when speaking to a younger acquaintance.

Non-Pronoun Deictics

In addition to pronouns, Vietnamese also uses non-pronoun deictics to indicate social hierarchy. These deictics, such as “này” (this) and “kia” (that), can be used to refer to people in different ways, depending on their status and relationship with the speaker.

Overall, the intricate system of pronouns and deictics in Vietnamese reflects the importance of social hierarchy and respect in Vietnamese culture. The choice of pronoun is carefully considered and conveys subtle messages about the speaker’s intentions, relationships, and social standing.