'Doing good will be good for you and society'
(Baonghean) - That is the sharing of Mr. Sam Van Binh, a typical advanced example of studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style in 2019.
On August 19, in Hanoi, the Central Propaganda Department will organize a national exchange program of advanced models in studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle in 2019.
Among the 12 outstanding and typical faces, Nghe An has only one representative, Mr. Sam Van Binh - Chau Quang commune, Quy Hop district. Before going to Hanoi to attend the commendation ceremony, Nghe An Newspaper reporter had a conversation with Mr. Sam Van Binh to better understand his current job.
Don't be fooled by ignorance!
PV: Hello Mr. Sam Van Binh! You are known as an excellent artist, a collector of literature, art, and customs of the Thai people. But for me, I am more impressed when I hear people call you teacher Sam Van Binh. I would like you to share about your work as a teacher of Thai characters?
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| Meritorious Artist Sam Van Binh. Photo: Duc Anh |
- I never thought I would be a teacher. By chance, in 2006, Chau Cuong commune (Quy Hop) opened a club to learn ancient Thai characters and they invited me to teach. Since then, everyone has called me a teacher.
The first time I stood on the podium, I seemed to be unprepared, had no idea how to teach and it was really difficult. Sometimes I had to brace myself and tell myself to treat this as a university thesis defense so that I could confidently stand in front of everyone.
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| Some documents on Thai script that Meritorious Artist Sam Van Binh researched and wrote into a book. Photo: Duc Anh |
Now, I have been teaching for 13 years, but the interesting thing is that from the first program I compiled for the class in Chau Cuong until now, the content has not changed much with 20 lessons. However, I determined to teach the community, so my lessons are quite simple, 7th and 8th graders only need 10 sessions to be able to read and write.
In each lecture, I try to incorporate stories, folk songs, and antiphonal songs of the Thai ethnic group to make everyone more excited about the lesson.
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| Mr. Sam Van Binh is known as an excellent artisan, a collector of literature, art, and customs of the Thai people. Photo: Duc Anh |
PV: You have had many successes in different fields such as research, compilation, organization of teaching and learning Thai Lai Tay script, collection and research on Thai ethnic culture and literature and have nearly a dozen valuable books. Having been involved in this work for nearly 30 years, everything must not be easy?
However, before coming to this job, I also struggled a lot, working in ores, making stones, and sometimes being a farmer. There were also periods of disappointment in myself.
The turning point probably came from my father. At that time, I was the head of the family and my father asked me to look, watch, and consider “everything” related to the customs and practices of the Thai people.Firstly, it is for us to apply to ourselves and our families. Secondly, it is to propagate to the community, how not to be allowed to do wrong, "not to let a person who does not know to claim to know to deceive us and that is also deceiving the whole family, the community"...
From my father's guidance, I began to take notes, learn and try to grasp all the customs and traditions. Then, the more I learned, the more interesting I found it and I began to be passionate about it.
Writing also helped me get closer to Thai Lai Tay. For example, when I wrote down the prayers of the shamans, I was very curious to know what the prayers said and were written, especially the ancient words. Then, gradually accumulating, I started to study Thai.
At first, it was very difficult, I had to learn many things from the beginning. Later, I was invited to join the Board of Directors of the Thai Script Club in Chau Cuong and took on the task of compiling the Instructional Materials and teaching and disseminating the Thai script at the Club. Then, I was encouraged by the Department of Industry and Trade of Quy Hop district to do a provincial-level scientific research project entitled "Research, compile documents and organize teaching and learning of Lai Tay Thai script in Quy Hop district, Nghe An", at that time I officially started working seriously. This project was selected by the province to develop into the Project "Expanding the model of teaching and learning Lai Tay Thai script in Quy Hop district, Nghe An". In 2017, this project was awarded an excellent prize in the provincial Science and Technology Innovation contest.
Through this project, I also successfully researched and designed 5 Thai fonts to install for typing Thai on the computer.
These are Thai fonts belonging to the Thai Lai - Tay, Lai - Xu - Thanh and Lai - Pao scripts widely used in the Thai groups of Nghe An province.
These fonts are currently being used for the "Preserving ancient capital" column of Nghe An Weekend Newspaper. In particular, through this topic, I have completed the Thai teaching materials and printed the Lai Tay Thai teaching books, including 5 books by topic, which are widely used in Thai classes today.
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| He successfully researched and designed 5 Thai fonts to be installed for typing Thai on computers. These are Thai fonts belonging to the Thai Lai - Tay, Lai - Xu - Thanh and Lai - Pao scripts, which are widely used in Thai groups in Nghe An province. Photo: Duc Anh |
-PV: To achieve success, it is certainly not just about "fate"? Where do you get the motivation to pursue your work when "bread and butter is no joke for poets"?
Before, I studied Thai almost alone. Later, thanks to the Internet, I was able to connect with many people who had the same interests and passions, and we shared with each other, creating motivation to pursue our passion.
Collecting and researching is also a very long-term job and I just got caught up in it. After many years of struggling, I have a house to live in so I don’t think much. I have a garden for food and living, I can be “self-sufficient”. What “feeds” me, helps me have money to pay for electricity, water, gas, motorbikes, and phones are the articles I write in Nghe An Newspaper and cultural magazines. Moreover, this is also an opportunity for me to introduce my research.If you think it's a good job, do it.
PV: I was really surprised to learn that you graduated from the University of Waterways (now Maritime University). However, life took you on a different path. Have you ever regretted not being able to do the job that you had spent many years pursuing?
- In grade 7 (old), thanks to my excellent academic performance, I was one of two students from Nghe An (both ethnic minorities) who were able to attend a summer camp in the Federal Republic of Germany. The first time I went to Frankfurt port, I saw a very large ship and since then I have cherished the idea of following ships and working in the maritime industry. After graduating, I was also assigned a job, but from 1986 to 1990, the country was still facing difficulties so there was not much work. Not only me but many others also quit their jobs during these years.
Until now, I have never said that I was wrong in choosing the University of Waterways because it was my dream that had been nurtured since I was a child. But I have no regrets about not being able to pursue this career.
Because when I started doing research on a problem that required logical thinking. And this, I was fortunate to have been equipped with at university. Perhaps, before I worked in natural sciences, now I switch to social sciences, the methods are still the same, the way of doing is still the same, only the materials and products are different.
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| Since the end of 2018, the Department of Culture and Sports of Nghe An province has been preparing a dossier to propose the inclusion of Thai script as a national intangible cultural heritage. And what he wishes for now is that more young people will have access to Thai script and Thai culture. Photo: Duc Anh |
PV: Indeed, not everything goes according to predetermined paths. So, today, looking back at what you have achieved, how do you feel?
I also believe that besides Thai script, Thai language and many other traditional values, including those of Thai people and other ethnic groups such as Tho, Kinh... in one way or another, are also being preserved, conserved and promoted by dedicated people so that the development of our district is always balanced and sustainable...
What I wish for now is that more young people will have access to Thai language and Thai culture. However, this may be difficult because, like many other rural areas, young people who grow up mainly go to work far away, and do not have many opportunities to access the customs and traditions of the nation.
PV: For you personally, you are one of 12 outstanding individuals nationwide to be recognized as a typical example of studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style in 2019. Is this a recognition for you?
- When I received this result, I was really happy because although I am not a party member, I was still respected and recognized by the Central Committee. I also do not consider this an achievement and will not have to "struggle". I often think that doing something great is very difficult.
If there is something good, then just do it. If one person is good, the whole society will be good; and first of all, it is good for yourself and good for others.
- Thank you for the conversation!.