Tản mạn: "PHO"
Every day brings its own joys, and I feel truly happy whenever I happen to watch a short English-teaching clip by chance. In one such video, a man demonstrated how to pronounce three English words, and I was especially struck when the word "Pho" appeared.
"Pho" is a Vietnamese word, yet it is now recognized worldwide, especially after being included in the English dictionary. According to Merriam-Webster, "Pho" first appeared in English print in 1935, borrowed directly from the Vietnamese word phở. While English speakers replaced the vowel with an "o," they kept the pronunciation as "fuh," not "foh."(*)
Along 6ix’s Streets, Vietnamese restaurants are easy to spot, with menus written in both English and Vietnamese. Most of these restaurants feature "Pho" as a main dish. Whenever I have the opportunity to meet people who are Canadians or come from other countries, they often mention "Pho" as well. Although they may not pronounce the word perfectly—since the accent mark above the letter is not used in English—I still feel proud and happy knowing they recognize "Pho" as a Vietnamese food.
When I ask them how they know about this dish, their answers vary: some discovered it through travel, others were introduced by Vietnamese friends, and some tried it at a local Vietnamese restaurant. They often express how much they love "Pho," especially the flavorful broth poured over noodles, and they always acknowledge, “It takes a lot of effort to make that broth.” I respond with a warm smile and a promise: "If I have the chance, I’ll cook 'Pho' for you to try."
To be honest, Pho is very popular in Vietnam—almost everyone eats it—but it’s not considered particularly special since it’s just one of many delicious dishes in the country. For foreigners, however, Pho is impressive because they rarely have the chance to try it. I often explain to my friends, "Vietnamese cuisine pays close attention to every step, from selecting ingredients to presentation. Even the sauces for each dish are different and require a lot of labor-intensive work. So, whenever you enjoy Pho or any Vietnamese food, you’re experiencing Vietnamese culture and spirit—gentle yet refined."
Author: Little Stream
Photo: Moon
Video Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1D1pC21jE4/
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