How to Pronounce Souphanouvong

Meaning and Context

Souphanouvong, often referred to by his evocative sobriquet "the Red Prince," was a foundational Laotian communist revolutionary and a principal architect of the Pathet Lao movement, which ultimately seized control of Laos in 1975. Born on July 13, 1909, into the royal family as a son of Viceroy Bounkhong, his aristocratic lineage and Western engineering education in Paris created a stark contrast with his later ideological path. Aligning with the Viet Minh and the Lao Issara independence movement, Souphanouvong became the charismatic public face and unifying symbol for the communist cause, leveraging his royal status to garner broad-based support. He served as the first President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic from its establishment on December 2, 1975, until his retirement in 1991, cementing his legacy as a pivotal figure in Laotian history, the Indochina Wars, and the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. His leadership was instrumental in the struggle against French colonialism and later American intervention during the Secret War, forever linking his name to the nation's revolutionary history and political transformation.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The name "Souphanouvong" can present spelling challenges for non-Lao speakers due to its transliteration from Lao script. The most common and accepted spelling is Souphanouvong, but historical documents and older texts sometimes use variations like Souphanouvong (with a single 'o') or Souvanouvong, which is incorrect but arises from mishearing. A frequent typo or misspelling involves the "ph" digraph, resulting in errors like "Soufanouvong" or "Soupanouvong." Additionally, the final "-vong" is occasionally misspelled as "-voung" or "-vang." When referencing his title, "the Red Prince," it is important to capitalize it as a proper epithet. Users searching for information may also employ related keywords like "Pathet Lao leader," "Lao President," or "Prince Souphanouvong," which may lead to the correct information despite minor spelling errors in the core name.

Example Sentences

Despite his royal birth, Souphanouvong dedicated his life to overthrowing the Lao monarchy and establishing a communist state.

Historians often note that Souphanouvong's engineering skills were put to use building bridges and military installations for the Pathet Lao forces in the jungles of eastern Laos.

As the charismatic "Red Prince," Souphanouvong was able to appeal to both intellectuals and peasants, broadening the appeal of the Pathet Lao movement.

Following the victory of the Pathet Lao in 1975, Souphanouvong was appointed the ceremonial President of the new Lao People's Democratic Republic.

In biographies, Souphanouvong's complex legacy is explored, balancing his revolutionary fervor with his role in the post-war government.

Many monuments in Vientiane and elsewhere in Laos pay homage to Souphanouvong and his comrades in the struggle for national liberation.

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