Department of Linguistics, University of Social Sciences and Humanities: 55 years of establishment and development

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hong Con (Head of the Faculty of Linguistics - University of Social Sciences and Humanities) reviewed the 55-year journey of the Linguistics Department of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Faculty of Literature and the 15th anniversary of the Faculty of Linguistics. Linguistics was introduced into Vietnamese universities in 1956, starting with the Linguistics Department, Faculty of Social Sciences, then the Faculty of Literature of Hanoi University of Science (1956-1996). In 1996, three years after the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (hereinafter referred to as Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities) was established on the basis of Hanoi University of Science, the Linguistics Department separated from the Faculty of Literature to become the Faculty of Linguistics of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Thus, to date, the Linguistics Department of Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities has undergone 55 years of construction and development.1.1.During 55 years of construction and development, the Linguistics Department of Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities has achieved many achievements in many aspects of activities, first of all achievements intraining workhuman resources for the country.After the first 10 years (1956-1965) of actively building the curriculum, course content, and building a team of lecturers participating in teaching and research, in 1965, Linguistics was officially recognized as an independent training major, with separate admissions from the first year, and the training career of this major lasted until 1996. It can be said that along with the Literature major, the Linguistics major of the Faculty of Literature contributed to creating the brand of the Faculty of Literature of the University of General Sciences (1956-1996). In 1996, on the basis of the Department of Linguistics of the Faculty of Literature, the Faculty of Linguistics of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi was established, for the first time Linguistics was recognized as an independent university training major in Vietnam. After nearly 15 years of development, up to now, the Faculty of Linguistics is the only faculty in Vietnam that trains in Linguistics in all three programs: Bachelor (including standard, high-quality and international level systems), Master (linguistics) and Doctorate (including 5 majors: language theory, Vietnamese linguistics, languages ​​of ethnic minorities in Vietnam, historical comparative linguistics and comparative - contrastive linguistics). As of 2011, the Faculty of Linguistics of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi has trained for the country over 1,600 bachelors, more than 250 masters and 125 doctors in linguistics, Vietnamese linguistics, languages ​​and cultures of ethnic minorities in Vietnam. Bachelors, masters and doctors who graduated from the Faculty of Linguistics are currently working in many universities, research institutes, press agencies, media, culture, education... in the country and abroad. In the 2011-2012 academic year alone, the Faculty of Linguistics is managing the training of 150 undergraduates, 285 graduate students and researchers. If comparing the ratio of undergraduates to postgraduates, the number of postgraduates in the Faculty is currently almost double that of undergraduates. In addition, the Faculty also has more than 300 foreign students participating in various training programs.1.2.Along with training, many generations of staff and lecturers of the Linguistics Department also promotescientific research activitiesand achieved remarkable achievements. Many of the faculty members and lecturers are pioneers or have become leading researchers in various fields of the industry such as:Vietnamese grammar(Nguyen Tai Can, Nguyen Kim Than, Nguyen Lai, Cao Xuan Hao, Hoang Trong Phien, Nguyen Cao Dam, Dinh Van Duc, Nguyen Minh Thuyet, Nguyen Van Hiep, Nguyen Hong Con, Dao Thanh Lan...),Vietnamese phonetics(Doan Thien Thuat, Nguyen Phan Canh, Mai Ngoc Chu, Dinh Le Thu, ...),Vietnamese vocabulary - semantics(Nguyen Van Tu, Nguyen Thien Giap, Le Quang Thiem, Nguyen Duc Dan, Vu Duc Nghieu, Le Dong...),Vietnamese history(Nguyen Tai Can, Dinh Van Duc, Tran Tri Doi, Vu Duc Nghieu...),Vietnamese dialect(Hoang Thi Chau),Vietnamese learning style(Phan Ngoc, Nguyen Phan Canh, Nguyen Huu Dat...),languages ​​of ethnic minorities in Vietnam(Bui Khanh The, Doan Thien Thuat, Tran Tri Doi, Mai Ngoc Chu, etc.),neurolinguistics(Nguyen Ham Duong),comparative linguistics and translation(Le Quang Thiem, Nguyen Hong Con),Text Linguistics(Tran Ngoc Them, Nguyen Thi Viet Thanh), etc. Many textbooks, lectures, and scientific research works compiled by staff and lecturers of the former Linguistics Department and the current Linguistics Department have academic and pedagogical value and are highly appreciated by colleagues at home and abroad, for example:Vietnamese Grammar: Words - Compound Words - Short Phrases, Noun classes in modern Vietnamese, Origin and formation of Sino-Vietnamese reading, Historical phonetics of Vietnamese(Nguyen Tai Can),Vietnamese Phonetics (Doan Thien Thuat),Vietnamese Grammar - Sentences(Hoang Trong Phien),Vietnamese Grammar - Word Types, Vietnamese Grammar: Word Types from a Functional Perspective(Dinh Van Duc),Vietnamese Vocabulary, Vietnamese Words and Word Recognition(Nguyen Thien Giap),ResearchamnioticProjection of languages, Semantics(Le Quang Thiem),Vietnamese words indicating direction of movement,Language and literary creation(Nguyen Lai),Vietnamese dialects(Hoang Thi Chau),Research on languages ​​of Vietnamese ethnic minorities, History of Vietnamese language(Tran Tri Doi),Vietnamese Text Linking System (Tran Ngoc Them), Vietnamese Sentence Components(Nguyen Minh Thuyet, Nguyen Van Hiep),Vietnamese syntax(Nguyen Van Hiep),Vietnamese learning style(Nguyen Huu Dat), etc. In addition, every year, the staff and lecturers of the Linguistics Department publish dozens of articles in specialized journals and national and international scientific conferences, and chair and participate in many scientific research projects at different levels. These research projects have contributed to improving the quality of training in Linguistics and participating in solving problems of cultural and social life.1.3.Along with training and scientific research, over the past 55 years, the Linguistics Department has built and expandedinternational cooperationwith many facilities for teaching and researching linguistics and Vietnamese linguistics abroad. Lecturers in the Linguistics department have come to study and teach at many universities around the world such as Moscow State University, Saint Petersburg State University (Russia), Humboldt University (Germany), Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Osaka University (Japan), University of Paris 7 (France), University of Wisconsin, Cornell University, University of California - Fullerton (USA), Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul National University (Korea), Peking University, Shanghai University of Foreign Studies, Guangxi University, Guangxi University for Nationalities, Yunnan University for Nationalities, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Foreign Trade (China), etc. On the other hand, the Linguistics department of the University also welcomes many international students to study and research under many different programs. As of 2011, the Linguistics Department has trained 150 bachelors, 20 masters, 6 doctors from abroad, not to mention thousands of international students participating in short-term courses (from 3 months to 1 year) on Vietnamese language and culture. In the 2011-2012 academic year alone, there were more than 300 foreign students studying at the Faculty of Linguistics, including over 40 graduate and doctoral students. International cooperation in scientific research is also emphasized. Many international scientific conferences organized by the Faculty of Linguistics or in conjunction with domestic and foreign partners in recent years have had great academic resonance such as:The 6th International Conference on Pan-Asian Linguistics(Hanoi, November 2004),International Conference on “Research and Teaching of Vietnamese and Chinese Language and Culture”(Guangxi, 2007; Hanoi, 2009). Through exchange and cooperation programs, many foreign scientists and professors have come to teach or give scientific presentations at the Faculty of Linguistics (Prof. Michel Ferlus, Prof. Nguyen Phu Phong - French National Center for Research, Prof. Pallard Denis - University of Paris 7, Prof. Johan van de Auwera - Editor-in-Chief of Linguistics magazine, Prof. Marc Brunelle - University of Ottawa, Prof. Mark Alves - Montgomery University...)1.4.To achieve the above results in training, scientific research and international cooperation, over the past 55 years, the Linguistics Department of the School has gradually built, developed and had very fundamental changes inorganization and staff work.From a department of the Faculty of Literature in the past, today the Department of Linguistics has developed into an independent Faculty of Linguistics with 5 departments, directly managing the research and teaching of basic training majors:Language Theory, Applied Linguistics, Comparative and Regional Linguistics, Vietnamese Linguistics, Languages ​​of Ethnic Minorities in Vietnam.In addition, the Faculty also has aCenter for Applied Linguistics and Vietnamese Linguistics,is a place for young lecturers, postgraduates and graduate students of the faculty to apply theoretical knowledge into teaching and research practice. The staff and lecturers of the Linguistics Department have also developed and grown continuously through many generations; many have become leading scientists in their fields or specialties, making active contributions to the education and scientific research of the Faculty and the industry such as: Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tai Can, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Ham Duong, Assoc. Prof. Phan Ngoc, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Kim Than, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Van Tu, Assoc. Prof. Cao Xuan Hao, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lai, Prof. Dr. Doan Thien Thuat, Prof. Dr. Hoang Trong Phien, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Cao Dam, Prof. Dr. Hoang Thi Chau, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duc Dan, Prof. Dr. Bui Khanh The, Prof. Dr. Le Quang Thiem, Prof. Dr. Dinh Van Duc, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thien Giap, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Thuyet, Prof. Dr. Tran Ngoc Them, Prof. Dr. Tran Tri Doi, Prof. Dr. Mai Ngoc Chu, Associate Prof. Dr. Vu Duc Nghieu, etc. The Linguistics Department of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi is also a source of lecturers and research staff for many research and teaching centers on linguistics and Vietnamese linguistics throughout the country (Institute of Linguistics, Institute of Lexicography and Encyclopedia, Vietnam Institute of Social Sciences Information, Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Foreign Language Universities of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Hue University, Da Nang University, etc. etc.) and abroad (China, Korea, Japan, USA, France, Thailand, etc.). Currently, the Faculty of Linguistics has 25 staff and lecturers, including 4 professors, 7 associate professors, 2 doctors, 12 PhD students (3 PhD students are studying abroad). It is expected that by 2015, 100% of the lecturers of the Faculty of Linguistics will have a doctorate degree or higher. Due to its outstanding achievements in training, scientific research and international cooperation, the Faculty of Linguistics has been awarded the Third Class Labor Medal (2001) and the Second Class Labor Medal (2006) by the State. Many staff and lecturers of the Faculty have received noble awards and titles from the State such as:Ho Chi Minh Prize for Science and Technology(Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tai Can),State Prize for Science and Technology(Assoc. Prof. Phan Ngoc, Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Kim Than, Prof. Dr. Hoang Thi Chau),Title of People's Teacher(Prof. Dr. Bui Khanh The, Prof. Dr. Doan Thien Thuat, Prof. Dr. Le Quang Thiem, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Lai, Prof. Dr. Hoang Trong Phien, Prof. Dr. Hoang Thi Chau, Prof. Dr. Dinh Van Duc, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thien Giap),title of Excellent Teacher(Associate Professor Nguyen Van Tu, Professor Dr. Nguyen Cao Dam, Teacher Nguyen Xuan Luong).

2.1.Inheriting the tradition of 55 years of industry development and 15 years of faculty building, proud to be one of the leading basic science faculties of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Faculty of Linguistics is entering the second decade of the 21st century with other faculties in the whole school, with the following achievements:Very basic advantages:The Faculty has a long history of development with many achievements; has a team of cadres and lecturers who are strong in expertise, steadfast in ideology, united in common interests; has the close guidance of the Party Committee and the Board of Directors, the cooperation and assistance of departments, divisions, faculties in the whole school, etc. However, besides those advantages, the Faculty of Linguistics also has to face many difficulties.difficulties, challenges:- Like other basic sciences, although it plays an important role in society, mainly serving social interests, but in the context of a market economy where social needs are often identified with practical values ​​or economic interests, Linguistics is not an attractive choice for students, especially excellent students. - Policies for learners and teachers of Linguistics as well as other basic sciences are basically no different from those of training professions serving the immediate interests of learners and businesses. Even in high-quality programs or strategic tasks, policies and implementation are not enough to create attractiveness for learners and teachers, and are not completely compatible with the program's goal of reaching international standards. - Although the facilities and techniques serving the teaching and scientific research activities of lecturers and students have been more fully equipped than before, in reality they still do not meet the requirements for innovation in teaching and learning methods (according to credits), especially the library system, specialized documentation rooms, classrooms, facilities and funding for internships and practical training. - The requirements of industrialization and modernization of the country and the context of globalization are requiring the industry and the Faculty to have strong changes in the direction of internationalization: training programs, training quality and training management systems must be assessed according to regional and international standards; scientific research products must be published in prestigious regional and international specialized journals; the Faculty must have a team of staff and lecturers with sufficient professional qualifications and foreign languages ​​to participate in international cooperation in scientific research and training. - However, the subject that creates this transformation process is the team of cadres and lecturers who are facing a series of challenges that need to be solved, namely: the workload and responsibility of work (teaching, scientific research, management) is increasing; the requirement to improve knowledge and qualifications (in expertise, foreign languages, profession) is increasing; the need to solve life problems (personal and family) is increasing; etc.2.2.The above difficulties and challenges are inevitable consequences of the development process, especially when the industry and the Faculty of Linguistics enter a new stage of development, a stage of improving the quality of training, scientific research and international integration. To overcome these difficulties and challenges and continue to develop, in the coming time, the Faculty of Linguistics will focus onsolutionsas follows: - Continue to innovate the content and teaching methods of all training programs towards internationalization. In the immediate future, it is necessary to focus resources on completing the goals of the strategic mission program, building and developing the Linguistics industry to international standards. - Promote scientific research activities of staff and lecturers in terms of both quantity and quality of products, especially internationally published scientific products. Increase the application of research results in training activities (compiling textbooks, lectures) and serving society (providing training and scientific services according to social needs). - Innovate training management and scientific research in the direction of linking work with responsibilities and benefits; Take advantage of all support resources in terms of policies, human resources, finance, technology, domestic and international experience... to ensure that the industry and the Faculty develop in the right direction. - Maintain international cooperation in training and scientific research with traditional partners; continue to seek and expand cooperation with new partners, especially high-quality international training and research institutions. Continue to send lecturers to teach and research at foreign universities and research centers at the request of partners. - Build a team of staff and lecturers who are united, unanimous, solid in expertise, good at foreign languages, have regional and international qualifications and qualifications, and are capable of international cooperation in teaching and scientific research. Diversify the Faculty's teaching staff in terms of training sources and recruitment sources, combined with inviting foreign lecturers to teach part-time or as guest lecturers.

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55 years is not a long journey in history, but for the Linguistics Department of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi, it is quite a long journey, spanning almost the entire scientific life of three generations of teachers and students. Inheriting the glorious tradition of 55 years, the Faculty of Linguistics is grateful for the efforts, sacrifices and silent dedication of many generations of lecturers and students. Looking back at the achievements to be proud of, seeing the difficulties and challenges ahead to rise up, we believe that the Linguistics Department of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Hanoi in general and the Faculty of Linguistics in particular will grow and develop more and more.

REFERENCES

1. Dinh Van Duc,Half a century, our School's Linguistics Department: Some experiences from practical activities. HNKH Report on the 65th Anniversary of the Traditional Day of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2010.
2. Dinh Van Duc, Forty years - a journey of training and developmentLanguage, No. 3, 1996.
3. Nguyen Thien Giap,Brief History of Vietnamese Linguistics, Volume 1. Education Publishing House, 2006.
4. Department of Linguistics website:http://ngonnguhoc.org/