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Square Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Dung = animal waste

I see that many Vietnamese people with first name "Dung" always required to be called or written as "Dzung" in English.

I am wondering about the reason.
Is that because of the word "Dung" that means "animal waste"?
  

Top answer

I rather imagine they believe that Americans would find it humorous, so they change the spelling, if not the pronunciation as well. I found the same with **** among Cambodians.

— Philip

  • I rather imagine they believe that Americans would find it humorous, so they change the spelling, if not the pronunciation as well.
  • I found the same with **** among Cambodians.
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3 Answers
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I rather imagine they believe that Americans would find it humorous, so they change the spelling, if not the pronunciation as well. I found the same with **** among Cambodians.
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Yes, it could well be.

It could also be that "dz" is felt to be a closer representation of the correct sound. I am not very knowedgeable about the sounds in the Vietnamese language though, so you probably have a better idea than me about this.
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Thank you, Philip and GPY.

I think you are completely correct.
There are two reasons.
1. The word "Dung" may be a little offensive in English.
2. /dz/ sound is really closer to the correct sound in Vietnamese.

It is interesting that that word is really nice in Vietnamese.
Dung: brave
Dung: beautiful
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