PGS. TS. Bùi Hiền: A Controversial Figure in Vietnamese Linguistics
PGS. TS. Bùi Hiền is a prominent, albeit controversial, figure in Vietnamese linguistics and education. He is best known for his proposed reform of the Vietnamese alphabet, a project that ignited significant debate and drew both strong support and vehement opposition.
Throughout his career, Bùi Hiền dedicated himself to the study of Vietnamese language and pedagogy. He held positions at various academic institutions and contributed to research on language teaching methodologies. His work often focused on simplifying aspects of the Vietnamese language to improve literacy rates and make it more accessible to learners, particularly children.
His most notable contribution, and the source of considerable controversy, was his proposed alphabet reform. The existing Vietnamese alphabet, known as Quốc Ngữ, is based on the Latin script and was formalized in the early 20th century. Bùi Hiền argued that the current alphabet contained inconsistencies and redundancies that hindered efficient writing and reading. He proposed a revised alphabet that aimed to eliminate these perceived flaws, making the writing system more phonetic and easier to learn.
The proposed changes involved replacing certain letters and letter combinations with new characters or modified versions of existing ones. The core argument was that his system would reduce the number of characters needed to represent Vietnamese sounds, thereby simplifying the writing process and reducing the learning curve. Examples included replacing “gi” with “z” and “tr” with “q.”
However, Bùi Hiền’s proposal met with widespread criticism. Many linguists and members of the public argued that the proposed changes were unnecessary and would create significant disruption. Concerns were raised about the potential difficulty in transitioning to the new system, the cost of retraining teachers and reprinting materials, and the possible impact on the readability of existing texts. Some critics felt the changes were aesthetically unappealing and fundamentally altered the character of the written language.
The intensity of the reaction stemmed not only from linguistic considerations but also from the deep cultural and historical significance attached to the Vietnamese language and its writing system. For many, Quốc Ngữ represents a vital part of national identity, and any proposed changes are viewed with suspicion and resistance.
Despite the controversy, Bùi Hiền remained a staunch advocate for his reform proposal. He published numerous articles and presented his ideas at academic conferences, arguing that the potential benefits of a simplified alphabet outweighed the challenges of implementation. While his proposed reforms were never officially adopted, they sparked important discussions about the nature of language, the role of writing systems, and the challenges of language reform. He forced a re-evaluation of accepted norms and encouraged critical thinking about the Vietnamese language.
PGS. TS. Bùi Hiền’s legacy remains complex. While his specific alphabet reform proposal was largely rejected, he undeniably left his mark on Vietnamese linguistics by prompting a widespread national debate about language and its evolution.