The person who introduced the Thai font into computers in Nghe An.
(Baonghean.vn) - Mr. Sam Van Binh, an "Outstanding Artisan" honored at the end of 2015 for his research and teaching of the Thai script in Yen Luom village, Chau Quang commune, is one of the exemplary figures in Quy Hop district who studies and follows President Ho Chi Minh's teachings.
After graduating from the Maritime University in 1987, he returned to his hometown and lived in a village where he encountered many ancient Thai texts but could not read or write them, even though he was fluent in English and knew a little German. He always wondered why he couldn't read or write his own ethnic language and script, and why the Thai script was almost forgotten and ignored. These thoughts motivated him to collect and learn about the customs and traditions of his people.
After 10 years of diligently collecting and researching, Mr. Binh has been able to read and write the basic Lai Tay Thai script. In 2006, a Thai script club was spontaneously established in Chau Cuong commune, and Mr. Sam Van Binh was invited to join, becoming the "soul" of this club.
His involvement in the club helped him to almost completely compile the book "Guide to Learning the Lai Tay Thai Script," consisting of two volumes, between 2006 and April 2010.
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| Mr. Sam Van Binh (far left) discusses methods of teaching the Thai script with the villagers. |
Volume 1, 108 pages thick, contains 21 systematically structured lessons, progressing from simple to complex. Volume 2, with 20 advanced lessons, ensures that students can not only read and write fluently but also retain the knowledge for a long time, enabling them to teach it to others. Alongside and following these two textbooks, Mr. Sam Van Binh has completed five other books, offering numerous insights and rich source material for researchers of the Thai script in the region and nationwide, such as: "The Lai Script System - Muong Ham Region"; "The Lai Script System - Thanh Hoa Region"; "The Lai Script System - Muong Mun Region"; "The Lai Script System - Muong Muoi Region"; "The Lai Pao Script System"; and "The History of the Formation and Development of Muong Ham".
In particular, he successfully researched and developed five Thai fonts for installation on computers, which have been widely used by Thai communities in Nghe An and in the "Preserving Ancient Heritage" column of the Nghe An Weekend newspaper for many years. To date, Mr. Sam Van Binh has opened more than 10 classes in the district with over 400 participants, and more than 200 people are now proficient in reading and writing Thai and can teach it to others.
From 2011 to the present, Mr. Binh has successfully defended his provincial-level scientific research project entitled "Research, compilation of materials and organization of teaching and learning of the Lai Tay Thai script in Nghe An province".
Currently, Mr. Sam Van Binh not only teaches the Thai script in Quy Hop district, but is also invited to teach Thai script classes in Quy Chau, Que Phong, and Con Cuong districts... In addition, he is invited by various associations to participate in seminars on the Thai script and Thai culture in many places both domestically and internationally, such as Hanoi, Dien Bien, Son La, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue, Laos, and Thailand...
Mr. Sam Van Binh has received numerous commendations from the Central Government and the province, such as: for promoting the role of a respected figure among ethnic minorities; for 15 years of implementing Resolution No. 5 (8th Congress) of the Central Committee on building and developing an advanced Vietnamese culture imbued with national identity; for receiving an honorary award from the Vietnam Thai Studies Program in March 2015; and especially, for being honored as an Outstanding Artisan by a decision signed by the President on November 13, 2015. These are well-deserved rewards for a son of the Thai ethnic group who always seeks to preserve and preserve ancient cultural heritage. |
Thu Huong
Quy Hop Radio
