The Spatial Configuration of Hanzi/Hanja/Kanji/chữ Nôm, a New Analytical Model

Abstract

Previously published analytical framework for the spatial configuration of Hanzi portrays Hanzi as having many complex spatial configurations, but fails to generate usefulness for the learning of Hanzi script, meaning or sound. Such framework has also been limited by being generated from only small sample size of simplified Chinese Hanzi. This paper present s a simple bi-axial analytical model, by which Hanzi’s spatial configuration can be dissected on the horizontal and vertical axis, into mono-partite or multipartite configurations on the horizontal axis, or single and multi-tiere configuration on the vertical axis. Each part can again be subdivided into tiers, and each tier into parts. The model is tested using Hanzi from standard and simplified Chinese Hanzi, Korean Hanja, Japanese Kanji, and Vietnamese chữ Nom. The analysis shows that the model can be applied to all the script within the Hanzi region. The model is likely to generate useful insights as well as new approaches for the teaching of sound, script and meaning for Chinese Hanzi learning by improving the transparency of Hanzi script, and pave the way to better script pronunciation transformation learning. Key words : Hanzi, Hanja, Kanji, chữ Nom, Spatial configuration, Hanzi education   現有的漢字結構分析理論使漢字結構類型和名稱非常複雜眾多, 但又難見對識字, 寫字, 音意教育起作用｡ 在此, 筆者提出一個簡易的兩軸分析法, 把漢字結構以橫軸, 豎軸, 及十字雙軸把漢字分為不同元數及層數類型字｡ 對中文, 日文, 韓文漢字及喃字的大樣本測試証明, 此分析方法適用於中文正體漢字, 簡體漢字, 日本漢字, 韓國國字, 及越南喃字｡ 兩軸分析法, 對寫字, 字意, 字音的理解及學習更是可以產生積極作用, 幫助克服漢字學習的難處｡ 關鍵字 : 漢字, 喃字, 結構類型, 漢字教育