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Foreword

The Vietnamese teach their children not only the language, but also the history and cultural values of their people, using folktales passed down from generation to generation. Through this collection of short stories, it is our genuine hope that the reader will enjoy a glimpse of Vietnamese life—both mystic and actual—in antiquity, from the time the Earth was governed by supernatural powers to the time society was under feudal rule. We have scouted the archives for rare and seldom-told fables, wherein wondrous worlds unfold, sharing hard-earned lessons, the origins of Vietnamese traditions, and universal truths. As these tales have been passed down for centuries through the oral tradition, cultural notes have been included for a full and thoughtful understanding of how the characters’ natural and social environments caused them to behave and interact within the societal structures of their time.

More often than not, culture is a by-product of the acquisition of a new language. At least, that is how most language classes and textbooks are structured. This compilation, on the other hand, attempts to enhance the reader’s language-learning experience through the cultural context. In this mode, language is subtly imparted through the immersion in descriptions of riveting events and traditional practices. This book is for mid- to high-intermediate language learners. With English and Vietnamese versions set side by side, the reader will be able to trace how each word or idiomatic phrase is translated to retain the essence of the original text. Additionally, each story comes with a glossary (broken down into parts of speech), which includes selected idiomatic expressions. New vocabulary is often recycled to facilitate the reader’s learning process. Cultural notes clarify some details in the stories for better understanding, as well as better appreciation of the texts. Finally, discussion questions create dialogue for critical thinking, points of view, psychological and philosophical observations, etc.

This collection of folklore was compiled in the spirit of an old Vietnamese saying “Ôn cố tri tân” (“Review old things to understand new ones”). It is the authors’ ambition that it serves the readers’ language-learning goals and is passed down to future generations. We sincerely hope that you can relate with some of its diverse characters and situations, which celebrate the human condition in all its triumph and folly. Let’s now turn the page and begin our cultural and linguistic journey!

Tri C. Tran and Tram Le University of California, Irvine