New Book on the History of Modern Vietnamese Writing Launched
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Loading... - Genji Cheng
- 01 Aug 2024
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A recently launched book aims to provide bookworms and literature lovers with a deeper understanding of the formation and development of modern Vietnamese writing. Entitled "Histoire de l’écriture romanisée du vietnamien (1615-1919)" (History of Romanised Vietnamese Writing), the book was first published in France in 2022.
The book is developed from the doctoral thesis of Phạm Thị Kiều Ly, who pursued her PhD at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in 2018. Her thesis won the 2020 award for the most excellent thesis from GIS Asie (Academic Network on Asian Studies). Ly currently works at the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts at the Vietnam National University, Hà Nội.
Ly's research is considered the most comprehensive work on the history of the formation and development of the modern Vietnamese writing system. Her thesis draws from documents written in Latin, Portuguese, and Italian, sourced from archives in Lisbon, the Vatican, Rome, Madrid, Avila, and Lyon.
The book spans over 300 years, starting from 1615 when Jesuit priests came to Vietnam to teach Christianity, studied the Vietnamese language, and created the romanised Vietnamese script. It places the development of Vietnamese writing within the broader context of missionary work worldwide.
The book explores the evolving role of modern Vietnamese writing from its inception, highlighting how western priests facilitated changes in the Vietnamese written language to aid their missionary work. It also delves into the religious and political history of Vietnam, covering the transition from feudalism to colonialism, and includes histories of journalism, culture, and education from different periods.
The book cover features illustrations of individuals who made significant contributions to the formation and development of modern Vietnamese writing. It also commemorates the founder of modern Vietnamese writing, French missionary Alexandre de Rhodes, who arrived in Vietnam 400 years ago.
Associate Professor Trần Quốc Anh of Historical and Systematic Theology from Santa Clara University remarked, "It can be said that her research is the most comprehensive work ever on the history of formation and development of the modern writing system of the Vietnamese national language."
Reflecting on her research journey, Ly shared, “I have experienced different feelings while researching. Happy to find the documents, stressed and anxious when I had to get started on my thesis.”
This book is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the intricate history of modern Vietnamese writing, its cultural impacts, and the historical context that shaped its development.
