The Hmong in the West. Observations and Reports. Papers of the Hmong Research Conference (Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 2-3, 1981).

This book is a compilation of the papers presented at a conference on Hmong Research held at the University of Minnesota. The Hmong are a tribal people of Laos who have come to the United States as a result of Communist victories in their country. All of the papers related to the Hmong as they are seen in the West and the problems they face as refugee population. The report is divided into five sections: (1) An introduction discussing the history of the Hmong people and their reasons for leaving Laos. (2) Considerations of Hmong culture and culture change, including articles on marriage customs, birth customs, religious changes since their arrival in the U.S., information on myths, legends and folktales, and Hmong migration and leadership in Laos and in the U.S. (3) A discussion of their language and forms of communication, including disguised, poetic, and musical. (4) Discussion of language learning issues including articles on Hmong literacy and education, an error analysis of English compositions by Hmong college students, comparisons of language policies and programs for refugees, and the Hmong community's acquisition of English. (5) Articles on the Hmong's problems and prospects in the U.S., including consideration of specific settlements, sudden adult death in the Asian population, and the Hmong in the workplace. (CG)