ESL Tip Sheet 10: Vietnamese

The written language

• The written form of this monosyllabic, tonal language does not have the same punctuation conventions as in English; for example, a dash is used to introduce direct speech. Part 9.

Sentence structure and word order

• No inversion of subject and verb in a question: *They are leaving? 32a. No impersonal it subject: *Necessary go. 48f.
• Sentences expressed in English with the filler subject there use adverb of place and have: *In the garden has many trees. *Had many people in the class. 28c; 40b; 48f.
• Subordinating conjunctions occur with a balancing word in the dependent clause:* Even if I had money, I would also not buy that car. 32f.

Nouns and pronouns

• No general personal pronouns; pronouns indicate social status and levels of respect. 41e.

Verbs and verbals

• Verb form does not change to show tense; time is conveyed in context: *Next week he leave. 38e.
• No -ing gerund form: *They suggested to travel by train. 45c; 47d.
• Passive voice rare. 39.

Adjectives and adverbs

• Adjectives follow nouns and pronouns: *grade ninth. 43.
• Adjectives contain their own verbs, so be is rarely used: *The meal delicious. 35c; 38b; 43c.

Articles

• Articles exist but are not parallel in form to articles in English: *He is teacher. 44.