Hangul

Definition

Hangul is the native alphabet of the Korean language, created during the 15th century under King Sejong the Great. It was designed to be easy to learn and use, promoting literacy among common people and establishing a distinct Korean identity. The script consists of 14 basic consonants and 10 basic vowels that can be combined to form syllables, making it unique compared to other writing systems.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hangul was created in 1443 and officially promulgated in 1446 with the intent to improve literacy among the Korean population.
2. Each Hangul character is composed of individual strokes that reflect the articulatory features of speech sounds.
3. Hangul's design is based on the shapes of the mouth and tongue when producing sounds, making it a scientific approach to writing.
4. In modern Korea, Hangul is widely used in all forms of written communication, while Hanja has fallen out of common use but still appears in some contexts.
5. The creation of Hangul is celebrated every year in South Korea on Hangul Day, which highlights its cultural significance and contribution to national identity.

Review Questions

• How did the creation of Hangul impact literacy and education in Korea during its introduction?
  • The creation of Hangul had a profound impact on literacy and education in Korea by providing a simple and efficient writing system accessible to all social classes. Before Hangul, literacy was predominantly reserved for the elite who could read Hanja. With Hangul's introduction, common people could learn to read and write more easily, leading to increased literacy rates and a more informed society.
• Discuss the relationship between Hangul and Hanja in contemporary Korean writing.
  • In contemporary Korean writing, Hangul serves as the primary script used for most communications, while Hanja is used sparingly. Hanja appears mainly in academic texts, legal documents, and certain traditional contexts where it can provide clarity or specificity. This coexistence reflects a historical relationship where Hanja was once dominant but has gradually been supplanted by Hangul as literacy spread among the general population.
• Evaluate the cultural significance of Hangul in shaping Korean identity and language over time.
  • Hangul plays a crucial role in shaping Korean identity by serving as a symbol of national pride and independence from foreign influence. Created by King Sejong, it embodies the desire for a unique cultural identity that differentiates Koreans from their historical reliance on Chinese characters. Over time, Hangul has become an integral part of everyday life in Korea, reinforcing a sense of unity and cultural continuity among Koreans, especially amidst globalization pressures.

Related terms

Hanja: Hanja refers to the Chinese characters that were historically used in the Korean language, primarily for writing nouns and academic texts.

Syllabic Structure: The syllabic structure is a fundamental aspect of Hangul, where letters are grouped together into blocks that represent individual syllables.

King Sejong: King Sejong the Great was the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty, known for his significant contributions to Korean culture, including the creation of Hangul.