Hi everyone!

I'm currently developing a simplified Chữ Nôm standard, and I've run into a problem.

Some Sino-Nôm characters are extremely complex, so I'm considering replacing certain phonetic components with simpler ones. I'd like to hear what you think.

This proposal is not based on Japanese shinjitai (new character forms). Instead, it is a completely new approach to restructuring phonetic components.

For example, I'm thinking of replacing the phonetic component 睪 (trạch) with 尺 (xích).

The reason is that 尺 provides a phonetic cue that is closer to Vietnamese pronunciations in the dịch / thích family.

Examples:

• 譯 → 訳 (xích -> dịch )
• 釋 → 釈 (xích ->thích )

...and similarly for other characters in the same phonetic series.

Do you think this is a reasonable direction, or would it sacrifice too much of the original character structure? I'd really appreciate your thoughts.

I’m designing a modern Chữ Nôm character for the Vietnamese word ga (“railway station”).
Since ga in modern Vietnamese refers only to a railway/train station, I’m wondering which semantic component (radical) would be the most appropriate:
車 (“vehicle/train”)
立 (by analogy with 站, “station”)
馬 (from the historical concept of post stations and relay horses)
Which one do you think would make the most sense, and why? I’d also appreciate any alternative suggestions.

View Poll

Hi everyone! I’m currently working on a Chữ Nôm Simplification Project.

As a unique historical script designed to write the Vietnamese language using modified Chinese characters, Chữ Nôm possesses immense cultural value and artistic beauty. However, due to its complex origins, learning, handwriting, and digitizing the script present significant challenges. My goal with this project is to explore a systematic simplification process to make it more functional and accessible for modern use.

As I work through this, I've encountered a few crucial design and linguistic dilemmas. I would love to hear your perspectives, whether you're a linguist, language learner, or enthusiast!

1. Non-intuitive / Obscure Characters: For historical Chữ Nôm characters that are overly complex or logically non-intuitive, should I invent newly created characters (re-engineering them with clearer phonetics/semantics), or should I stick to traditional roots to preserve historical authenticity?
2. Overly Complex Phonetic Components: Many Nôm characters stack intricate phonetic/semantic radicals to achieve precision. Do you think I should replace or simplify these complex components (e.g., standardizing on high-frequency, low-stroke radicals)?
3. One Character splitting into Multiple Pronunciations: When a single historical character or borrowed Hanzi split into 2 or 3 distinct pronunciations in modern Vietnamese, should I:
   • Option A: Create separate, distinct simplified characters for each pronunciation?
   • Option B: Keep a single character with multiple readings (polyphonic) to minimize the total character count?
4. Share Your Ideas: If you have your own ideas, concepts, or stroke-reduction rules for simplifying Chữ Nôm (or Chinese-derived scripts in general), please feel free to drop them in the comments below!

Whether you study historical East Asian scripts, modern Vietnamese, or constructed writing systems, your input is greatly appreciated! Looking forward to your thoughts!

我是來自越南的人，我的中文不太好請見諒。
我們國家古代使用的文字叫做字喃，我是他的愛好者！
但是字喃在現代越南被人們詬病成很多筆畫和難寫，

所以我想問作為台灣人你們不覺得繁體字很難寫嗎？

筆畫很多，也很繁雜還有很多不直觀的形聲字。
如憂鬱 學業

如果有台灣人能解答的話真是十足感激！

The Sử Đọc and Kim Đọc Reading System in Simplified Chữ Nôm

As part of the development of a modernized Simplified Chữ Nôm system, this proposal introduces a dual-reading framework inspired by the Japanese distinction between On'yomi (Sino-Japanese readings) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese readings).

The proposed system consists of:

• Sử Đọc (Historical Reading) – reading a character using its traditional Sino-Vietnamese pronunciation.
• Kim Đọc (Modern Reading) – reading the same character using its corresponding native Vietnamese word.

The purpose of this system is not to apply dual readings to every character, but rather to a limited number of highly common or visually complex characters where such a distinction can improve usability while preserving historical continuity.

1. Sử Đọc (Historical Reading)

Sử Đọc refers to reading a character according to its traditional Sino-Vietnamese pronunciation.

This function is comparable to the Japanese On'yomi, preserving the historical pronunciation inherited from Classical Chinese.

Examples:

Character	Sử Đọc
手	thủ
足	túc
左	tả
右	hữu

Under this system, the character retains its historical and literary pronunciation.

2. Kim Đọc (Modern Reading)

Kim Đọc refers to reading the same character according to the native Vietnamese word associated with its meaning.

This function is comparable to the Japanese Kun'yomi, reflecting actual contemporary Vietnamese usage.

Examples:

Character	Kim Đọc
手	tay
足	chân
左	trái
右	phải

Thus, a single character may possess both a historical reading and a modern vernacular reading depending on context.

3. Scope of Application

The Sử Đọc/Kim Đọc distinction is intentionally limited.

Most Sino-Vietnamese vocabulary would continue to be read normally and would simply use simplified character forms where appropriate.

Examples:

Character	Reading
山	sơn
河	hà
國	quốc
民	dân

Such words already function as integral parts of Vietnamese vocabulary and therefore do not require a separate Kim Đọc reading.

The dual-reading system would primarily be reserved for:

• Frequently used everyday characters
• Body-part characters
• Basic directional characters
• Characters with relatively high stroke counts
• Characters strongly associated with native Vietnamese vocabulary

All other characters would generally follow their standard reading conventions.

4. Numerical System

Numbers would follow a separate reading structure.

Everyday Reading

Numerals are read using modern Vietnamese number words:

Character	Reading
一	một
二	hai
三	ba
四	bốn
五	năm

This serves as the primary reading system for ordinary usage.

Chữ Nôm Formal Numerals

For official documents, contracts, and formal writing, traditional Chữ Nôm numeral forms may be used:

Number	Chữ Nôm Form
1	𠬠
2	𠄩
3	𠀧

These function similarly to financial or legal numerals.

Sino-Vietnamese Numerical Readings

For historical, literary, and educational contexts, traditional Sino-Vietnamese readings remain available:

Character	Reading
弌	nhất
弐	nhì
弎	tam

This creates a layered numerical system comparable to Japanese usage, where characters may have both Sino-derived and native readings.

The user u/adolchristin98 repeatedly engaged in political harassment and personal attacks in discussions related to Chữ Nôm.

Instead of discussing the topic respectfully, the user used nationalist insults, hostile accusations, and inflammatory language toward other members.

This behavior creates a toxic atmosphere and discourages meaningful discussion about Vietnamese linguistic history and culture.

I hope moderators can review the user’s conduct and consider stronger moderation action, including a permanent ban for repeated violations.