ON THE ORIGIN OF THE RHYME O IN MODERN VIETNAMESE

Abstract

Nguyen Tai Can (1995) argues that the vowel O [●] in modern Vietnamese originated from *●and *u, but adds the latter is rare. This paper provides further insights into the second origin of the vowel O in modern Vietnamese and identifies the chronology of the morphing process from U to O, based on a special connection with the Chinese language. The author goes on to claim that the origin and change from U of the vowel O in modern Vietnamese commenced around the 7^th or 8^th century and finished in the 13^th century.