미래가치를 창출하는 글로컬 산학일체 혁신대학
The Great Hangeul
By Lee Han-na Reporter, Sophomore of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Did you know that Hangeul, the official writing system of Korea, is the only writing system in the world where the creator, creation period, purpose, and principles are all clearly documented? Let’s take a look at how this magnificent national heritage Hangeul is passed down to the present day.
The History of Hangeul
- Sejong the Great’s Hunminjeongeum
The history of Hangeul dates back to the reign of the fourth monarch of the Joseon dynasty, Sejong the Great (1418-1450). Originally, our ancestors had communicated in our language. However, they borrowed Chinese characters when they wrote a text. This system of notation known as ‘the writing method with borrowed characters,’ was used from the Three Kingdoms Period (1st century BCE) until the late Joseon period (17th-19th centuries). Nevertheless, this system could not perfectly represent the Korean language, creating confusion between spoken and written words. As a result, common people could neither read nor write. They were unable to express their opinion, even in times of injustice. The ruling class exploited this, using literacy as a means of control. Since King Sejong was moved by his people, he took it upon himself to create a new writing system so that everyone could easily express themselves. In 1443, he invented the Hunminjeongeum, a set of 28 letters, meaning ‘the true sound for teaching people.’ Afterwards, he officially promulgated it in 1446 through a book called the Hunminjeongeum Haerye.
- The Dissemination of Hangeul
The dissemination of Hangeul was not easy. King Sejong’s intention to enable ordinary people to use written language was a revolutionary idea at that time. Seven of his officials opposed this reform, expressing concerns that it might disrupt tradition and the social hierarchy. Despite their resistance, King Sejong remained resolute in his mission to help the people.
Hangeul faced further challenges during the Japanese colonial period. When Japan implemented the ‘Language Eradication Policy,’ they banned the use of Korean and enforced the use of Japanese to undermine Korean identity and unity. However, Koreans secretly continued teaching and preserving Hangeul. One of the most representative organizations is the Joseon Language Institution. They established unified orthography, standardized Hangeul, and compiled a dictionary by researching the dialects of various regions. Despite arrests and persecution, their determination to protect Hangeul never wavered.
The term ‘Hangeul’ first appeared in 1913 when Ju Si-gyeong, a linguistic scholar, named a scholarly group ‘Hangeulmo’ under the Joseon Language Society. The name ‘Hangeul’ gained popularity after the society began publishing an academic journal titled Hangeul in 1927. The word ‘Han’ means ‘one’ and ‘great,’ signifying ‘one text’ and ‘the great text.’
Hangeul’s hieroglyphics of articulatory organs demonstrate its ingenuity. The consonants are made based on the shapes of the vocal organs. For example, ‘ㄱ [g/k]’ resembles the shape of the back of the tongue pressing against the throat, and ‘ㄴ [n]’ mimics the shape of the tongue touching the upper gums. The consonants are systematically derived by adding strokes to these basic shapes. For instance, the stronger sound ‘ㄷ [d]’ is formed by adding a stroke to ‘ㄴ [n],’ and ‘ㅌ [t]’ is created by adding another stroke to ‘ㄷ [d].’
The vowels are also systematically created from ‘ㆍ, ㅡ, ㅣ.’ These three basic symbols represent the philosophical elements of the universe: a round dot for the sky, a horizontal line for the earth, and a vertical line for a standing human. This symbolizes the harmony between heaven, earth, and humanity, making Hangeul not just a script but a reflection of profound philosophical thought.
Since its creation, Hangeul has played an important role in shaping Korean identity and culture. Nowadays, October 9th is celebrated as Hangeul Day, commemorating its invention and reaffirming its value. If you are already using Hangeul, take a moment to appreciate its convenience and beauty. If you have not yet learned Hangeul, why not start now? Just like King Sejong’s intention, Hangeul is a beautiful and scientific script, accessible to all.
Photo Sources
<Hunminjeongeum Haerye>, Encyclopedia of Korean Culture
<Sejong the Great’s Royal Portrait>, The Academic of Korean Studies
National Hangeul Museum
References
Sejong the Great, Hunminjeongeum, Hunminjeongeum 28-Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, 2024. 08. 21.
National Institution of Korean Language Online Newsletter, “Research of Hangeul: Right or Wrong About Hangeul”, https://url.kr/jwad4g, 2024. 08. 21.
National Institution of Korean Language: Want to Know About Hangeul, https://www.korean.go.kr/hangeul/, 2024. 08. 21.
Humanities 360, “Compilation of the Korean language dictionary, independence movement that protected our language and writings”, https://url.kr/6ochm8, 2024. 08. 21.