Korea's Distinctive Writing System: The Hangul Alphabet
In the heart of the 15th century, during the Joseon dynasty, a groundbreaking event took place that would forever change the landscape of Korea: the creation of Hangul, the Korean alphabet. King Sejong the Great, known for his wisdom and foresight, was the mastermind behind this revolutionary development, which took place in 1443[1][5].
Before Hangul, Korean relied heavily on Chinese characters, known as Hanja, to transcribe spoken Korean. However, this system was complex and accessible only to the privileged few, hindering literacy among the general population[1]. King Sejong, with a vision to democratise literacy, embarked on a mission to create an alphabet that was easy to learn and use for ordinary people[1].
The original Hangul alphabet consisted of 28 letters, each thoughtfully designed with deep symbolism. The consonants were based on the form of the mouth, tongue, and teeth when pronouncing each sound, while the vowels symbolised the concepts of Yin (Earth), Yang (Heaven), and Man at the intersection of the two[1][5]. Letters were then combined into syllabic blocks for writing words in linear sequences.
The creation of Hangul was a significant cultural and social reform, marking a major democratisation of literacy in Korea. It enabled commoners to read and write easily, breaking the linguistic monopoly held by the aristocracy and scholars who used Chinese characters[1][3]. Despite opposition from the Korean aristocracy, who resisted a writing system that would empower the lower classes, Hangul paved the way for increased literacy and cultural identity[3].
Ju Si-Gyeong, one of the founders of modern Korean linguistics, was a key figure in the Hangul movement. Recognising the inconsistencies and problems within the Hanja system, he advocated for the importance of the Korean language and championed the use of Hangul[3]. Ju Si-Gyeong also proposed that Hangul be written linearly, although this has never been adopted[3].
King Sejong, the fourth monarch of the Joseon Kingdom, governed with a strong emphasis on scholarship and education, promoting research in various fields and establishing a national academy called Jiphyeonjeon[4]. He governed according to the principles of Confucianism, which included the idea that justice and righteousness should characterise the relations between a sovereign and their subjects[4].
Ju Si-Gyeong, a student of King Sejong's, is well known for his belief that "When the language rises, the country rises, and when the language falls, so does the country." His work, including his most notable "Sounds of the Language," published in 1914, was instrumental in the promotion and development of Hangul[6].
Today, Hangul remains the foundation of the Korean written language, celebrated as one of the most scientifically designed alphabets in the world[2][5]. It continues to be a beacon of literacy and cultural identity for Koreans, a testament to the vision and foresight of King Sejong and the pioneers of the Hangul movement.
References: [1] "Hangul." Encyclopædia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hangul [2] "Hangul." UNESCO, https://en.unesco.org/creative-city/urban-planning-design/hangul [3] "The History of Hangul." National Hangul Museum, https://www.hangul.or.kr/eng/history/history.jsp [4] "King Sejong the Great." Korean Cultural Centre UK, https://korean-culture.org.uk/content/king-sejong-great [5] "Sejong the Great." UNESCO, https://en.unesco.org/creativity/networks/sejong-the-great [6] "Ju Si-gyeong." Korean Cultural Centre UK, https://korean-culture.org.uk/content/ju-si-gyeong
- News about the impact of Hangul on Korean culture has spotlighted its role as a democratizing force, enabling commoners to read and write easily during the Joseon dynasty.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, King Sejong's creation of the Korean alphabet, Hangul, was an groundbreaking achievement that significantly enhanced literacy in Korea.
- The science of language went through a revolutionary shift with the invention of Hangul, as it was deliberately designed based on the phonetics of the Korean language.
- The lifestyle and cultural identity of Koreans today continues to be influenced by Hangul, which is celebrated as one of the most scientifically designed alphabets, reflecting the vision and foresight of King Sejong and other pioneers of the Hangul movement.
