Cao Xuan Hao said that the theory of traditional phonological is generalized from evidences of Indo-European languages. Traditional phonological assumes that phonemes are cut from a single syllable. In contrast, according to conception of contemporary phonetics, Cao Xuan Hao said that syllables contain Vietnamese non-linear characteristics that is syllable can’t be divided into smaller segments. This claim nonlinear syllable is a phonetic judgment not a phonemic conclusion. The difference between theory of nonlinear and segmental phonology (classic) is size of phonemes. Vietnamese language with Taiwan, China, Japan… are isolating languages, that is the form of word does not change. Traditionally, Vietnamese language is considered monosyllable because most Vietnamese words are monosyllabic words.
