Media learn correct use of Lao language

More than 100 TV announcers, masters of ceremonies (MCs) and radio announcers from around the country gathered at the National Culture Hall yesterday to discuss the correct usage of the Lao language.

Currently, use of the language among members of the media is not perfect, as some still use a combination of Lao and foreign languages, making it difficult at times for the audience to understand.

The aim of this workshop was to preserve the Lao language and fix some of the most common mistakes of the Lao media when using the local language.
 

During the two-day workshop, which ends today, the participants will exchange their experiences using Lao in various mediums, and will also hear explanations from linguistic experts on how to use the Lao language correctly.

“Nowadays, there are a lot of foreign students learning the Lao language at the National University of Laos, which shows that Lao is valuable for research,” said the Deputy Minister of Information and Culture and President of the Lao Journalist's Association, Professor Dr Bosengkham Vongdala.

Dr Bosengkham said that announcers and MCs should think carefully about their Lao vocabulary, as listeners and audiences receive the words directly from the broadcast reporter. It's important that the language is used fluently and clearly for the public.

Many words were shown to be used the wrong way, especially when the Lao language is mixed with Thai, as many words are similar when these languages are spoken.

“The media plays a very important role in providing the correct words and sentences for young people, as well as for the next generations. Now the media is booming and its influence in society is strong,” said the Director General of the Lao National Academy of Social Sciences of Institute for Linguistic Research, Mr Thongpheth Kingsada.

“If we don't preserve our language, we will lose it, as some words are used less than before. The media should use more original Lao phrases to avoid having to resort to using languages from other nations,” he added.

The workshop also discussed the style of television presenters, and exchanged ideas about how to improve the quality of national Lao television programmes.
 

ByOunkham Pimmata
Vientianetimes