Course Module: FL 11: Asian/European Language

BU CAL, BA Communication, 1​st​ Year

1st​ ​ Semester SY 2020-2021

Lesson 3: History of the Creation of Hangul

(September 6-12)

What is this lesson about?

Have you ever wondered where your own language came from? Its origins and influences? How
did your modern language come to be? Who made them?

Studying how the language came to be is very important. Every stroke that makes the Hangul
has a significant meaning behind it. In this lesson, I will introduce you to the History of the Creation of
Hangul.

What will you learn?

At the end of this lesson, you are expected to:

1. Discuss the History of the Creation of Hangul.

Let’s read!

Korean Language

The Korean language (South Korean: ​한국어​/​韓國語 hanguk-eo; North Korean: ​조선말​/​朝鮮​ 말
1
chosŏn-mal) is an East Asian language spoken by about 79.4 million people.​ Hanguk-eo is the official
and national language of both South Korea (Republic of Korea) and North Korea (Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea) although varying in terms of its usage of standardized official forms (eg: spelling,
alphabetization, including the names of the letters and vocabulary choice) in each countries.

History of Korean Language

Korea has had its own language for several thousands of years. However, so much of the information
before the establishment of their own language was yet to fully uncover. It was only until the mid-15th
century when they developed their own writing system – Hangul. Before the creation of Hangul, Koreans
used to write their official documents and
literature using Classical Chinese
approximately in the fourth century or even
earlier. Later in the sixth to seventh century,
the Idu script (​이​두​hanja : 吏讀, ​meaning
official's reading​) ​was developed by Buddhist
monks for phonological writing. The Idu script
is an archaic writing system that represents
the Korean language using Hanja (Traditional
Chinese characters) which allowed Koreans to
make rough transliterations of Chinese texts.
Eventually, certain Chinese characters were
used for their phonetic value to represent
Korean particles of speech and inflectional
endings.​2 ​Not long after, a more extended
system of transcription was developed wherein entire sentences in Korean could be written in Chinese –
Hyangchal, which literally means “vernacular letters, local letters or corresponded sound” used to
transcribe the Korean language in Hanja. Chinese characters were given a Korean reading based on the
syllable associated with the character.​3

Altavano, M.H. (2020, July 7). FL 11: Asian/European Language. Bicol University College of Arts and Letters: Legazpi City, Philippines.
 Course Module: FL 11: Asian/European Language
BU CAL, BA Communication, 1st​ ​ Year
1st​ ​ Semester SY 2020-2021

Hangul was created under King Sejong during the Chosun Dynasty (1393-1910). in 1446, the first
Korean alphabet was proclaimed under the original name Hunmin chong-um, which literally meant "the
correct sounds for the instruction of the people."

Sejong the Great​, the fourth king of the ​Joseon dynasty, personally created Hangul and revealed
it in 1443.​4 Afterward, King Sejong wrote the preface to the ​Hunminjeongeum (the original treatise on
Hangul), explaining the origin and purpose of Hangul and providing brief examples and explanations, and
then tasked the ​Hall of Worthies to write detailed examples and explanations The head of the Hall of
Worthies, ​Jeong In-ji​, was responsible for compiling the Hunminjeongeum.​5 The Hunminjeongeum was
published and promulgated to the public in 1446.​6 Although it is widely assumed that King Sejong
ordered the ​Hall of Worthies to invent Hangul, contemporary records such as the ​Veritable Records of
King Sejong and ​Jeong Inji​'s preface to the ​Hunminjeongeum Haerye emphasize that he invented it
himself.​7

During the Japanese occupation of Korea, Japanese was declared the official language of Korea,
and the use of Korean was officially banned. Koreans were even forced to change their family names to
Japanese ones. With the end of the Japanese occupation in 1945, despite national division and civil war,
Korean was once again established as the official language of the both Koreas. After the division of the
country in 1945, each Korea developed its own national standard and language policy. Today, Modern
Korean is used in all spheres of life in both Koreas.

Modern Korean still reflects China's deep influence over centuries. Roughly half the Korean
vocabulary consists of words derived from Chinese, mainly through the Confucian classics. Today South
Koreans generally use a hybrid writing system in which words derived from Chinese are written with
Chinese characters, while Korean words are written in hangul. (North Koreans totally eliminate Chinese
characters and write even Chinese words in hangul.) Despite word borrowing, Korean is completely
distinct from Chinese, in sound and in sentence structure.

Scholars classified the ​Korean language into the following:

1. Old Korean ​(고대 한국어 godae hanguk-eo, 古代韓國語, to 918)

2. Middle Korean (중세 한국어 jungse hanguk-eo, 中世韓國語, 918–1600)
3. Early Modern Korean (근대 한국어 geundae hanguk-eo, 近代韓國語, 17th to 19th centuries)
4. Contemporary Korean (현대 한국어 hyeondae hanguk-eo, 現代韓國語, from the beginning of
the 20th century)

Suggested Readings/Videos:
1. A History of the Korean Language
2. Prime Visible Sound - Hangul

Language Variation

Officially, there are two standard varieties of Korean in Korea: the Seoul dialect in South Korea
and the Pyongyang dialect in North Korea. The dialects are distinguished and regulated by each
country's national language policy.
Regional dialects roughly correspond to province boundaries. Thus, South Korean regional
dialects are Kyongsang, Chungcheong, Cholla, and Cheju Island. The North Korean regional dialects are
Hamkyong, Pyongan, Hwanghae. Some of the dialects are not easily mutually intelligible.
The Korean language is part of a northern Asian language known as Altaic, that includes Turkish,
Mongolian and Japanese, suggesting early Northern migrations and trade. Korean was also heavily
influenced by Chinese, but adopted its own writing system in the 16th century.

Writing

Korean is written with an alphabetic script called Hang​ŭ​l (한글) that was in invented in 1444 and
promulgated during the reign of King Sejong. Han (한) means ‘great’, while gŭl (글) means ‘script’. The

Altavano, M.H. (2020, July 7). FL 11: Asian/European Language. Bicol University College of Arts and Letters: Legazpi City, Philippines.
 Course Module: FL 11: Asian/European Language
BU CAL, BA Communication, 1st​ ​ Year
1st​ ​ Semester SY 2020-2021

name was coined by J​u Si-gyeong (1876-1914), one of the founders of Korean linguistics. The alphabet is
called Chosŏn’gŭl in North Korea.

Although the symbols look somewhat like Chinese characters, Han’gŭl, in fact, is an alphabetic
writing system in which, instead of being written sequentially in horizontal lines like letters of the Latin
alphabet, symbols are grouped into blocks, each of which represents a syllable. For example, although
the syllable 한 (han) may look like a single character, it is actually composed of three letters: ㅎ (h), ㅏ
(a), and ㄴ (n), arranged in a square block.

Hanja

Hanja (​Korean​: 한자; Hanja: 漢字, Korean pronunciation: [​ ha(ː)nt͈ɕa]) is the ​Korean name for an
old writing system consisting mainly of ​Traditional Chinese characters (​Chinese​: 漢字; ​pinyin​: hànzì) ​(also
known as 조선한자(朝鮮漢字) in China) that was incorporated and used since the ​Gojoseon period (400
BCE). More specifically, it refers to the Traditional Chinese characters incorporated into the ​Korean
language​ with Korean ​pronunciation​.

Hanja-eo refers to words that can be written with

Hanja, and hanmun (한문, 漢文) refers to ​Classical Chinese
writing. In Chinese, each Chinese character has its own
distinct meaning, and usually just one pronunciation (there
are notable exceptions that are known as exceptions). In
Korean, each character has one usual pronunciation too,
but in Japanese, they usually can be pronounced a couple
of different ways (though one is usually more common).

The vast majority of Korean names have roots in Chinese

characters. It’s unusual for a first name to not have a Hanja
equivalent, and basically unheard of for a last name to not
have a Hanja equivalent. So names are one of the places
you most commonly
see Hanja in modern Korean.
Shin Ramyun noodles, the most popular kind of instant noodles in
Korea, have a 辛 character on the front. In Mandarin Chinese, it’s
pronounced xīn and is an old character for “sour”.

Hanja is still present in modern day Korea. You see them in

the subways, names of places, business establishments, food menu,
calendars, clothing, newspapers and more. One traditional reason for
using Hanja in signs is disambiguation. Technically, the pure Hangul
name for a location doesn’t give enough information for you to know
what it is. Usually, context is enough. But Hanja is used out of
convention to make it clear what the place is.

Sejong the Great

King Sejong was a 15th-century Korean monarch who

invented the native script called Hangul. Although he is
best remembered for this feat, he was also the chief
architect of a shining cultural monu- ment, achieving
remarkable successes in many cultural and scientific
fields from arts to astronomy, from music to medicine,
and from print- ing to technology. His compassion, as
manifested in the reformation of criminal justice, is
briefly reviewed here before the merits of Hangul as a
created, not an evolved, script are discussed. (Kim, C.W.
2000)

Altavano, M.H. (2020, July 7). FL 11: Asian/European Language. Bicol University College of Arts and Letters: Legazpi City, Philippines.
 Course Module: FL 11: Asian/European Language
BU CAL, BA Communication, 1st​ ​ Year
1​st​ Semester SY 2020-2021

King Sejong created the Korean alphabet (which numbered 28 letters at its introduction, of
which four letters have become obsolete), with the explicit goal being that Koreans from all classes
would read and write. Each consonant letter is based on a simplified diagram of the patterns made by
the human speech organs (the mouth, tongue and teeth) when producing the sound related to the
character, while vowels were formed by combinations of dots and lines representing heaven (a circular
dot), earth (a horizontal line) and humanity (a vertical line). ​Morphemes are built by writing the
characters in syllabic blocks. The blocks of letters are then strung together ​linearly​.

Hangul was completed in 1443 and published in 1446 along with a 33-page manual titled
Hunmin Jeong-eum, explaining what the letters are as well as the philosophical theories and motives
behind them. The Hunmin Jeong-eum purported that anyone could learn Hangul in a matter of days.
People previously unfamiliar with Hangul can typically pronounce Korean script accurately after only a
few hours of study.

Suggested Readings:
1. The Cultural Work of Sejong the Great
2. King Sejong The Great - KSCPP
3. THE LEGACY OF KING SEJONG THE GREAT

Hunminjeongeum

Hunminjeongeum (​Korean​: 훈민정음; ​Hanja​: 訓民正音; lit. The Correct/Proper Sounds for the
Instruction of the People) is a document describing an entirely new and native ​script for the ​Korean
language​. The script was initially named after the publication, but later came to be known as ​hangul​. It
was created so that the common people illiterate in ​hanja could accurately and easily read and write the
Korean language. It was announced in Volume 102 of the Annals of King Sejong, and its formal supposed
publication date, October 9th, 1446, is now ​Hangul Day
in South Korea. The Annals place its invention to the
25th year of Sejong's reign, corresponding to 1443–1444.
UNESCO confirmed Hunminjeongeum as the world's only
alphabet whose creator and purpose of creation are
known in 1997 and designated it in the ​Memory of the
World Programme

This book consists of two parts. Part 1 is the

main text written by Sejong himself. The contents of the
main text are the seomun or preface, which explains his
purpose in creating the new letters, and the longer
section which presents and explains the 28 new letters,
17 initial (consonant) sounds and 11 medial (vowel)
sounds, and the way they are combined to represent Korean syllables. Part 2, written by the scholars of
the Hall of Worthies on Sejong's order, consists of commentaries on the main text.

There are 6 chapters : "An Explanation of the Design of the Letters," which expounds the
principles by which the new letters were made, "An Explanation of the Initials," which presents the 17
consonants which appear in syllable-initial position, "An Explanation of the Medials," which presents the
11 vowels, "An Explanation of the Finals," which presents the consonants appearing in syllable-final
position," "An Explanation of the Combining the Letters," which demonstrates how the initials, medials,
and finals are assembled to form a syllable, and "Examples of the Uses of the Letters," which shows
Korean words written in the new letters. At the end of the volume is Jeong In-ji's postface, which
concisely describes the greatness of the creation of the new letters and the circumstances of the writing
of the book. The main text is four leaves and the commentaries 29 leaves, making only 33 leaves in all,
but the theory is systematic and the description scientific. In particular the explanation of the principles
by which the letters were made and of no use of the letters is highly regarded today by the linguists of
the world.

Altavano, M.H. (2020, July 7). FL 11: Asian/European Language. Bicol University College of Arts and Letters: Legazpi City, Philippines.
 Course Module: FL 11: Asian/European Language
BU CAL, BA Communication, 1st​ ​ Year
1​st​ Semester SY 2020-2021

Suggested Readings:
1. The Korean Alphabet: An Explainer
2. Hangul by Lee Ji Young
3. Linguistic and Philosophical Origins of the Korean Alphabet (Hangul)

Hangul Day

The celebration of the proclamation as a holiday began in the mid-1920s as an attempt to preserve the
Korean alphabet while under Japanese colonial rule of Korea (1910-1945), during which time Japanese
was the country's official language.

Originally, the day was celebrated according to the Lunar calendar, then on October 28th
following some discussion about using the Gregorian or Julian (in use in 1446) calendar. In 1946 the
Hangeullal (Hangeul Day in Korean) was finally specified as October 9th in 1946.

Following liberation from Japanese rule after the end of the Second World war, Hangeul Day
was designated an official holiday in 1949. Hangeul Day was excluded from the list of public holidays in
1990 for practical and economic reasons. It regained some of its status in 2005 when it was designated
as a national day of celebration. It was reinstated as a public holiday in 2013.

In North Korea, the day is called Chosun-gul Day and celebrated on January 15th, which is the
date in 1444 which refers to the date of the creation of the new language, not its proclamation.

To celebrate how great Hangul is, various events take place all over Korea on Hangul
Proclamation Day, including fashion shows with clothes designed and inspired by Hangul or various
pieces of art that use Hangul. Also on Hangul Proclamation Day, many websites change their logos from
English to Korean characters. Even Google changes its logo to Hangul on Hangul Proclamation Day.

Did you know that other countries, not only Korea, have been using Hangul, too? Indonesia's
Cia-Cia tribe has begun to recognize Hangul as its official lettering because Hangul is easy to learn
compared to other writing systems.

What was Hangul Proclamation Day originally called? In 1926, when Hangul Proclamation Day
was first celebrated, it was called 가갸날(Gagyanal) or Ga-gya Day. The Hangul alphabet starts with the
characters of 기역(Giyeok), such as 가(Ga), 갸(Gya), 거(Geo), 겨(Gyeo), 고(Go), 교(Gyo), 구(Gu),
규(Gyu), 그(Geu) and 기(Gi). That was how it first got its name of Ga-gya Day or 가갸날(Gagyanal.)

Suggested Videos
1. Learn Korean Holidays - Hangul Day
2. Korean Holiday - Hangul Day
3. Cia-Cia Tribe - Hangul

Let’s Discuss!

Now that you have learned about the history of Hangul, let’s take a look at our own language:
Filipino. The House committee on basic education and culture has approved a bill seeking to make the
pre-Hispanic script the Philippines' national writing system last April 23, 2018. Authored by Pangasinan
Representative Leopoldo Bataoil, House Bill 1022 seeks to require Baybayin translations in the following:
● signage for streets, public facilities, buildings, hospitals, fire and police stations, community
centers, and government halls
● labels of locally-produced food products
● mastheads of newspapers and other print publications

The writing system is also being slowly incorporated into the K-12 and college curriculum in an
attempt to preserve and recover what was lost among the Filipino identity after years of colonization
and foreign influence. There are even promotional movements from several youth and cultural groups

Altavano, M.H. (2020, July 7). FL 11: Asian/European Language. Bicol University College of Arts and Letters: Legazpi City, Philippines.
 Course Module: FL 11: Asian/European Language
BU CAL, BA Communication, 1st​ ​ Year
1​st​ Semester SY 2020-2021

to counter the proliferation of Chinese signages in the archipelago with Baybayin. Don’t you think it’s
high time that we totally adopt the writing system in our daily life? Comment your answers in the
discussion board under Lesson 3.

How much have you learned?

For this lesson’s exam, answer the short quiz that will be posted on Friday at the Google
Classroom.

Citations:
1. Eberhard, David M., Gary F. Simons, and Charles D. Fennig (eds.). 2020. Ethnologue: Languages of the World. Twenty-third edition.
Dallas, Texas: SIL International. Online version: h ​ ttp://www.ethnologue.com.​
2. Byong-Wuk Chong, Peter H. Lee. 2019. Korean literature. ​Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Online version:
https://www.britannica.com/art/Korean-literature.​
3. Coulmas, Florian; S. R. Anderson; J. Bresnan; B. Comrie; W. Dressler; C. J. Ewen (2003). Writing Systems: An Introduction to Their
Linguistic Analysis. Cambridge University Press. p. 67.
4. Kim-Renaud, Young-Key (1997). T​ ​he Korean Alphabet: Its History and Structure.​ University of Hawaii Press. p. 15. ​ISBN
9780824817237​. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
5. "알고 싶은 한글"​. 국립국어원. National Institute of Korean Language. Retrieved 4 December 2017. ​Fischer​, pp. 190, 193.
6. "​ H ​ unminjeongeum Manuscript"​. Cultural Heritage Administration. Cultural Heritage Administration. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
7. Paik, Syeung-gil. "​ ​Preserving Korea's Documents: UNESCO's 'Memory of the World Register'​ "​. Koreana. The Korea Foundation.
Archived from t​ he original​ on 2017-08-09. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
8. ​
"Want to know about Hangeul?"​. N ​ ational Institute of Korean Language.​ Retrieved 25 May 2020.
9. ​Hunmin jeong-eum haery​e​, postface of ​Jeong Inji​, p. 27a, translation from Ledyard (1998:258).

Altavano, M.H. (2020, July 7). FL 11: Asian/European Language. Bicol University College of Arts and Letters: Legazpi City, Philippines.