The concept of society as an extension of the family is evident
in the transposition into social usage of a language originally
intended for domeslic life. Vietnamese uses more than a score of
kinship terms as personal pronouns. The choice of the
appropriate word depends on the relative age, social status,
gender, degree of acquaintance, respect, and affection between
speakers and hearers who are not related to each other by blood
or marriage. In Vietnamese society, the predominant sentiment in
the relation between members of a social group is respect. This
is particularly evident in the attitude towards older people.
Respect and consideration for old age no doubt derive from the
obligation of filial piety that requires young people to respect
and love their parents and parent-like members of the family.
Vietnamese also recognize that a long life is a sign of kindness
and regard on the part of the deity for virtuous people, and
that the elders are the carriers of tradition and the embodiment
of knowledge and