Các thanh hỏi - ngã trong chữ quốc ngữ và giọng Sài Gòn

Abstract

This article deals with the six tones in Vietnamese language since the 17th century via the        official Vietnamese alphabet (chữ quốc ngữ). Particularly the intricate hỏi and ngã tones: hỏi tone involves low rising tone (symbol?) and ngã tone involves high broken tone (symbol ~), these tone marks are located above their related vowel sound. Lacking recorded instrumentations, musical notes are the closest and quasi-scientific data that pioneering European missionaries have used to depict these tones (de Rhodes/1651, Manuductio ad Linguam Tunkinensem - MLT). These data show that hỏi tone used to be higher than ngã tone in Tonkin, this trend is completely reversed now (ie. current Hanoi accent). Following data also reveal that Saigon accent did differentiate hỏi and ngã tones (Morrone/1819, Taberd/1838) unlike present situation. A proposed explanation for present Saigon accent is partially from Binh Dinh/Qui Nhon dialects which also show that hỏi tone is higher than ngã tone. The findings suggest further researches in Binh Dinh/Qui Nhon dialects and other possible sources that contribute towards the make-up of present-day Saigon dialect including its specific accent.