Cultural Preservation Through Language Preservation of Teocheow People in Vinh Chau (Soc Trang) from the Perspective of Rational Choice Theory

The Teochew Chinese have established their significant presence in Vinh Chau (Soc Trang Province) for more than three centuries, resulting in the evolution of a dynamic community that values numerous cultural dimensions intrinsic to the Teochew heritage. Nonetheless, the simultaneous existence of the Vietnamese and Khmer populations introduces significant challenges to the maintenance of these traditional cultural values. The article is predicated on the theoretical framework of the relationship between language and culture in order to analyze the impacts, and evaluate the effectiveness of the status of language conservation on preserving the cultural identity of the Trieu Chau people in Vinh Chau (Soc Trang, Vietnam) that boasts a historical trajectory of the formation and development here for more than three centuries. This study uses a qualitative research methodology that encompasses comprehensive in-depth interviews as well as a thorough examination of relevant documents, materials, and scholarly articles, the goal of this study is to elucidate the determinants that influence the language selection of the Teochew community in Vinh Chau (Soc Trang Province). Through this investigation, we aspire to analyze, assess, and propose strategic recommendations for the preservation and enhancement of the Teochew language within the broader context of Chinese cultural heritage.