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SURVEY: VN cultural values (fwd)
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TO: any vn-gblf member
RE: questionnaire on VN cultural values
I'd like to ask your help in the survey I am conducting on VN
cultural values. Please send your anonymous responses
in English text to the list address:
<email>
Although my focus will be on responses from our native Vietnamese
members and members of Vietnamese descent, I think responses from
members from other countries would make an interesting contrast so
all members are invited to participate.
At a later date, I will summarize and post the results.
BACKGROUND:
As an ESL (English as a Second Language) instructor, I teach a
course on culture to primarily East Asians (Koreans, Japanese
and Chinese). While we are studying Grammar, Reading, Writing,
Vocabulary, etc., we study world cultures as our main topic,
especially American culture since our school is in America.
The emphasis is on learning about other cultures so that, in
the process, the students learn about their own. I would like to
use the results of this questionnaire in my class.
HERE IT IS!
JUST ONE SIMPLE QUESTION:
Generally speaking, which three cultural values
are most emphasized in Vietnamese culture
(or whatever your native culture is)?
(1)_________________________.
(2)_________________________.
(3)_________________________.
(N.B. If you are not from VN, please note which
culture you are talking about.)
EXAMPLES:
Americans might say about their country,
(1) equality of opportunity
(2) individual freedom
(3) honesty
My Japanese students might say about Japan:
(1) loyalty
(2) the beauty of simplicity
(3) harmony/cooperation
IMPORTANT:
**Please keep in mind, I am trying to identify the traditional
cultural values held by most people. If, for example, you are
a revolutionary militant anarchist, your views on society may be
slightly(!) different from the mainstream. So, even if you don't
personally hold the traditional values dear, please respond with
what you think the average person would say.
**Your answers should be _abstract_ concepts, such as freedom,
loyalty, etc. They should _not_ be concrete items,
e.g., Americans believe in McDonald's and money.
(Although this may very well be true (!), it is _not_ what
I am looking for here.)
**This is a sociological survey based on generalizations. Some will
argue that it is impossible to generalize and, who knows, they might
be right. My opinion is that generalizations can be valuable if
the interpreter acknowledges that not all share the same values.
Also the distinction should be made that even though people might
believe in a certain value, it does not mean that they always practice
it. Take for example the concept of "equality of opportunity." Most
Americans will say that it is an important concept, but in practice,
it may be a different story.
Many thanks for your help in this experiment. I hope the results will be
of value for everyone.
John S
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