History of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, and its meaning for Koreans

Summary

Hangeul Day, celebrated on October 9th, honors the creation of the Korean alphabet, Hangeul, developed by King Sejong in 1446. Known as one of the most scientific writing systems, Hangeul made reading and writing accessible to all, breaking the elite dominance of written language previously dominated by Chinese characters. The day commemorates the historical and cultural significance of Hangeul, its role in Korean identity, and its preservation efforts, particularly during Japanese colonial rule. UNESCO has recognized relics related to its creation as part of the Memory of the World program.

Takeaways

• 📅 Today, October 9th, is 'Hangeul Day,' a celebration of the Korean alphabet.
• 📝 Hangeul is regarded as one of the most scientific and logical writing systems in the world.
• 👑 The Korean alphabet was developed by King Sejong the Great and officially introduced in 1446.
• 📜 Originally called Hunminjeongeum, Hangeul was created to accurately reflect the pronunciation of the Korean language.
• 🔡 Before Hangeul, Koreans used Chinese characters for writing, which was limited to the elites and did not always express the Korean language properly.
• 📚 In the early 20th century, the study of Hunminjeongeum spread, promoting literacy among the masses.
• 🇯🇵 During Japanese colonial rule, Hangeul was used in publications like newspapers and poetry to maintain Korean identity.
• 🎉 The first Hangeul Day was observed in 1926 to commemorate King Sejong's invention and boost the national spirit.
• 📖 Hunminjeongeum Haerye, the 1446 document explaining Hangeul's creation, was recognized by UNESCO in 1997.
• 🏛️ Relics related to Hangeul's history are preserved at the National Hangeul Museum, showcasing the efforts to create, preserve, and secure the alphabet.

Q & A

What is Hangeul Day and when is it celebrated?

Hangeul Day is a national holiday in Korea, celebrated on October 9th to commemorate the invention of the Korean alphabet, Hangeul.

Who developed the Korean alphabet, and when was it officially proclaimed?

The Korean alphabet, Hangeul, was developed by King Sejong the Great and was officially proclaimed in 1446.

What was Hangeul originally called, and what does the name mean?

Hangeul was originally called Hunminjeongeum, which means 'the proper sounds for instructing the people'—a name reflecting the proper pronunciation of the Korean language.

Why did Koreans use Chinese characters before the invention of Hangeul?

Before Hangeul, Koreans used Chinese characters for their written language because there was no native writing system, but learning Chinese characters was difficult and time-consuming, limiting literacy to the elites.

How did the use of Chinese characters impact the expression of the Korean language?

The use of Chinese characters meant that the Korean language wasn’t always expressed accurately since the two languages have different structures and phonetics.

When was the name 'Hangeul' adopted, and what does it mean?

In the early 20th century, researchers popularized the study of Hunminjeongeum and changed the name of the Korean alphabet to 'Hangeul,' meaning a script that is without equal.

How did Koreans promote Hangeul under Japanese colonial rule?

Under Japanese colonial rule, Koreans promoted Hangeul by publishing newspapers, pamphlets, and poetry in the Korean alphabet, even though there were efforts to suppress its use.

What is Hunminjeongeum Haerye, and why is it significant?

Hunminjeongeum Haerye is a document published in 1446 that explains how Hangeul was created. It is significant as it records when, how, and by whom the alphabet was invented, and it was listed in UNESCO's Memory of the World in 1997.

Why is Hangeul considered revolutionary for Korean society?

Hangeul made reading and writing accessible to everyone, not just the elite, allowing for greater social mobility and development, which was a revolutionary change for Korean society.

What is the purpose of designating Hangeul Day as a national holiday?

Hangeul Day is designated as a national holiday to celebrate and appreciate the Korean alphabet and to hope for further development of the Korean language in preserving knowledge and culture.