AN OVERVIEW OF CHARACTER IN VIETNAMESE MEDIEVAL KANJI LITERARY WORKS

Abstract

From the fact of approaching, explaining and teaching Chinese literary works in the Middle Ages of Vietnam at university level, the article shows clearly the difficulties in guiding learners to understand and translate correctly the empty words in Chinese character in Chinese text. Within the scope of the article, the author will focus on analysing and guiding learners to approach and explain the 之 character in the works being taught in the syllabus. The article is divided into two main parts: Part one gives an overview of the position and function of the empty words 之 in ancient Chinese character literature; Part two guides learners to approach, explain and translate the meaning of 之 found in specific literature works in the Middle Ages: Du chu ti tuong hich van (The speech appealing soldiers), Thien Do Chieu (Kingdom’s order).