Have you ever wondered about the ancient scripts that have shaped the cultural and linguistic heritage of different nations? Just like Japan and Korea, Vietnam also developed its own script called Nôm, which played a significant role in recording the essence of the Vietnamese language, culture, politics, and economy. Despite being under the dominance of the Chinese feudal regime for centuries, the resourceful Vietnamese people managed to create a system that represented their own words and ideas.
A Hard Lot Of Nôm
Unlike modern Vietnamese, which uses the Latin alphabet, Nôm was not widely used in important court functions. Throughout the thousand-year rule of the feudal regimes, Nôm faced disdain and was considered inferior. Fluency in the Chinese script was seen as a mark of knowledge, while Nôm-fluent scholars were often underestimated and disregarded. The perception that Hán Việt (Chinese-Vietnamese script) was superior to Nôm was deeply ingrained in the minds of the Vietnamese people at that time, leading Nôm to be undervalued even during its golden age.
Later, with the adoption of the Latin-based script as the national script, both Hán Việt and Nôm were largely forgotten. Mentioning or studying these scripts was even considered backward. It was only after the national reunification that the government recognized the importance of preserving this cultural heritage and started to reopen Hán Nôm classes. However, the loss of many valuable aspects of the script made the journey to revive Nôm even more challenging.
A Lost Nôm And Precious Things Went With It
Visiting Văn Miếu street in Hanoi during Tet holiday, one can catch a glimpse of the former glory of Nôm. “You may see a vibrant street and believe that Hán Nôm is making a glorious comeback. However, those like me see something different,” said Văn Hợp, a Hán Việt writer found on the street.
Among the nearly 60 calligraphers present, only one specializes in Nôm calligraphy, while the rest focus on Hán Việt. How did things end up this way? Can the challenges faced by Nôm be held responsible for its current state? In reality, many factors contributed to the decline of this precious script, one of which is the long-standing bias against it.
We all know what is at stake when a language fades away. The remnants of Nôm literature represent the true essence of the Vietnamese language. Yet, few people today possess the ability to read or write Nôm, let alone create beautiful calligraphy in this script. Hán Nôm Doctor Cung Khắc Lược expressed his concern, stating, “Nôm carries within it the cultural traits that define the essence of Vietnam – how our ancestors lived, behaved, and even treated common ailments through their distinct characters.”
Nôm is often considered more complex than Hán Việt, which might explain its declining popularity. However, Nôm encapsulates numerous aspects of Vietnamese culture, providing insights into the country’s past economy and capturing the essence of daily life. Even a foreigner can discover the essence of Vietnam through a single Nôm word. Nevertheless, many scholars fear for the future of Nôm, as time is running out for this ancient script.
As we venture into the exploration of Vietnamese history and culture, let us not forget the significance of scripts like Nôm. They are not mere tools of communication but a gateway to understanding the rich tapestry of our past. To learn more about the wonders of the Vietnamese culture, visit our Travel Guide.