The language unique to fishermen in coastal villages plays a vital role not only in their daily communication while at sea but also in traditional lullabies and songs. However, the process of urbanisation has profoundly impacted local dialects, posing a threat to the cultural identity that has been long established within coastal communities. Researching and preserving the distinctive language of coastal residents will significantly contribute to the conservation of local culture.

Currently, some fishermen engaged in fishing activities still utilise proverbs to convey their experiences. Photo: T.A

Unique linguistic charm of coastal fishermen

The folk culture of Da Nang's coastal villages embodies both the general characteristics of the coastal culture of Quang Nam and specific traits of its own. Notably, the language of the people varies even among different coastal villages due to the diverse local origins of their populations. For instance, residents of Tam Thuan, Thanh Khe District and Thanh Binh, Hai Chau District primarily trace their roots to Hue, while those from Hoa Hai, Ngu Hanh Son District mostly originate from Quang Nam Province. Consequently, the language used by the people in each coastal village is rich and diverse.

Distinctive tone in intonation

Upon visiting the Nam O Village in Lien Chieu District to rediscover the traditional way of speaking, we were struck by the unique vocabulary used in the daily lives of the fishermen there.

Through the accounts of Mr Dang Dung, residing in Hoa Hiep Nam Ward, Lien Chieu District, a storyteller from Nam O, we gained insights into the intriguing aspects of this village. The Nam O villagers articulate clearly, yet their speech retains a rustic and unrefined quality. When villagers converse, the sounds emerge deep from their throats.

Mr. Dung remarked that engaging with Nam O residents requires a calm demeanour due to their loud and boisterous manner of speaking. Having lived with the sea for generations and faced its fury, this manner of speaking has developed among the villagers.

Indeed, in the Nam O Village, the most valuable “asset” passed down from father to son is perhaps the wisdom of weathering storms. They share this wisdom through proverbs. To this day, some fishermen continue to use sayings like, "It has been passed down from generation to generation/The clouds cover Son Cha, if there's no wind, there's rain" or "When clouds are over the Son Cha mountain, the east wind blows softly". Though seemingly simple, these sayings help fishermen make informed decisions about their fishing activities.

In particular, the fishing profession is often described as one that "eats rice on the earth while working in the underworld". Mr. Dung and many other fishermen strongly believe in fate and luck, attributing it to supernatural forces.

For the residents of Nam O Village, certain creatures are seen as harbingers of misfortune, leading them to use alternative names to avoid invoking bad luck; for example, the sea turtle is referred to as "con dè" instead of "con dích," and a whale is called "Ông Ngư" or "Ngài". When someone passes away in the village, they are said to have "taken a rest".

Mr. Dung expressed his relief at the continued preservation of Nam O’s rich maritime vocabulary, which still retains its “unique tone” in its dialect and lexicon. However, he fears that as the villagers modernise, they may begin to speak urban language, communicating with more common vocabulary. Consequently, the distinctive tones of their language may diminish, and their unique maritime lexicon could fade away.

So far, the Thanh Khe fishing village has developed and evolved for nearly four centuries. Despite numerous changes, this land continues to transform.

Mr Le Van Le, 80, head of the ritual organisation committee in Thanh Khe, asserts that the essence of fishing-every fish and shrimp, every word spoken-has been ingrained in his very being. "Every day, my peers and I converse using the very dialect from our ancestors. The fishermen are genuine and share everything. When we catch a big school of fish, we guide fellow villagers back to shore using slang, and everyone understands. Even jokes are deeply rooted in our local culture," Mr Le noted.

However, fishing requires physical strength, and the income is often modest. The decline in the number of fishermen venturing out to sea means that many slang terms and local phrases are also disappearing due to lack of usage. Additionally, the children of Thanh Khe learn and play with friends from various regions, leading to a blending of languages. In recent years, during the “ba trao” singing festival held in honour of fishermen, Mr Le has had to connect with and hire artists from Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, or nearby coastal villages to perform in Thanh Khe.

Fostering community through local language

In their daily lives, the fishermen of Man Thai often use expressions such as "Thuan buom xuoi gio" (smooth sailing) and "Xuoi cheo mat mai" (gliding smoothly) to convey their desire for effective and seamless work. Sometimes, these sayings serve as educational lessons within families. Conversely, the term "dọc già" refers to red-shanked douc langurs in Son Tra Peninsula and carries connotations of adversity and lack of success in fishing.

Traditionally, fishermen have always prayed for bumper catches when heading out to sea. As a result, early mornings at markets in Man Thai Ward often see fishermen using slang to talk about their previous night’s fishing trip as a form of gratitude to Mother Nature. A charming aspect of this market is that villagers exchange fish and shrimp for goods of equal value. Families that do not fish bring their land-based products to trade for fresh seafood. This practice is part of the coastal culture that still exists today.

Faced with the realities of a developing society, some new professions have begun to attract the youth of coastal villages like Man Thai and Nam O, leading to changes in their occupations. The fishing profession is less frequently pursued by young people, causing the regional dialect and slang to gradually fade.

As a culture collector in Man Thai fishing village, Mr Huynh Van Muoi, 56 years old, residing in Man Thai Ward, Son Tra District, is deeply concerned about documenting and preserving the village's unique vocabulary and slang. The older generations, who hold the key to maritime culture, are gradually disappearing. If the people no longer engage with the sea, the local language will inevitably be lost. The question of how to preserve and promote the value of the old language becomes increasingly difficult to answer.

Several decades ago, “ba trao” singing, “tuong” singing, and “ho khoan” were commonly organised. However, today, “ba trao” singing is barely maintained, with few people pursuing or reviving it. In the years following the country's liberation, the cultural life of Man Thai fishermen was enriched by the need for “ba trạo” or “ho khoan” singing to ensure the success of beach ceremonies. The loss of some of these traditional festivities is lamentable. Mr Muoi believes that there are young artists capable of singing “tuong” who can contribute their talents. Documentation on Man Thai's “ba trao” singing exists in both old and modern Vietnamese scripts, which provides a foundation for passing on ancient values to contemporary generations.

During a recent performance featuring 17 songs about Man Thai Village, Mr Muoi emphasised the importance of local accents and dialects. The lyrics of “ba trao” songs embody the soul of the coastal village, requiring singers to grasp and pronounce every nuance of tone and expression. The imagery of fishing boats, fishing gear, and rolling waves is vividly portrayed, transporting the audience back to the time when their ancestors ventured out to sea.

Each fisherman, having dedicated their life to “riding the waves and speaking the winds” can easily resonate with the emotions conveyed in “ba trao” singing.

Mr. Muoi's late father was a renowned fisherman in the area, and the teachings he received regarding the intricacies and hardships of the fishing profession have left a lasting impression on him. Particularly on the 23^rd day of the seventh lunar month each year, the village of Man Thai holds a ceremony in honour of Ong (worshiping whale), fostering a sense of community as local fishermen are invited to participate.

"Through the connection forged over generations in Man Thai, numerous cultural values have emerged and diminished over time. The stories and images I seek to research and reconstruct aim to help the younger generation understand the origins of their village. If we do not act soon to preserve these values, our descendants will be unable to envision the lives of their forebears. For instance, fishermen of old used various tools for fishing, such as spike nets, which have been in use since 1740, when Man Thai was first established. This is an aspect that is challenging to research without books or documentation," Mr Huynh Van Muoi, a cultural collector in Man Thai fishing village, remarked.

Reporting by DOAN LUONG, TRUONG AN - Translating by TRUC VY