Modern writing system Quoc Ngu script(2)
The Romanized writing system Quoc Ngu script of Vietnam
Quốc Ngữ: The Modern Vietnamese Writing System
Quốc Ngữ is the current writing system of the Vietnamese language. It uses the Latin alphabet with additional diacritics to represent tones and sounds unique to Vietnamese. Developed in the 17th century by Jesuit missionaries, including Alexandre de Rhodes, it eventually replaced older scripts such as Nôm and Chinese characters.
Key Features
- Represents all Vietnamese sounds using Latin letters.
- Incorporates diacritics to mark tones (e.g., á, à, ả, ã, ạ) and differentiate sounds.
- Simple and phonetic, making it easier to learn than the complex Chu Nom or Chu Han.
- Uses 29 letters (based on the Latin script) with accents and tonal markers.
- Simplifies Vietnamese phonetics for reading and writing.
- Originally developed for missionary work, it became Vietnam’s national script in the 20th century.
- Boosted literacy, enabled modernization, and facilitated access to global knowledge.
Historical Milestones
Early 17th Century
Portuguese missionaries like Francisco de Pina laid the foundation for Quốc Ngữ by recording Vietnamese sounds using the Latin alphabet.
1651
Alexandre de Rhodes published the Dictionarium Annamiticum Lusitanum et Latinum (An Annamese-Latin-Portuguese Dictionary), formalizing Quốc Ngữ as a system.
19th Century
Under French colonial rule, Quốc Ngữ was promoted as the primary script for education and administration, gradually replacing Chu Nom.
20th Century
Vietnam officially adopted Quốc Ngữ as its national writing system, and it remains the standard today.
Cultural Impact
A Shift in Tradition
The transition from Chu Nom and Chu Han to Quốc Ngữ marked a turning point in Vietnamese history. This change symbolized modernization and increased access to literacy.
Greater Accessibility
Unlike logographic scripts, Quốc Ngữ is easier to learn and use. As a result, literacy rates in Vietnam rose significantly.
Historical Significance
Quốc Ngữ stands as a unique example of a Latin-based script fully adapted to a non-Indo-European, tonal language.
Comparison to Earlier Vietnamese Scripts
- Chu Nom: A native Vietnamese script using modified Chinese characters. Although it represented spoken Vietnamese, its complexity made it difficult to learn.
- Chu Han: Classical Chinese used by scholars and in official documents. This system was primarily limited to the educated elite.
- Quốc Ngữ: Unlike its predecessors, this script democratized literacy and became a unifying tool for Vietnamese society.
Conclusion
The adoption of the Romanized Quốc Ngữ script transformed education and modernization in Vietnam. Its development highlights how human innovation, driven by communication needs, can lead to practical and accessible writing systems. By blending external influences with local linguistic adaptations, Quốc Ngữ reflects the dynamic nature of language evolution.