제 3 호 King Sejong Does Not Cry Over Language Changes and Destruction: Looking Back on Language Habits
Kicker: ENTERTAINMENT (LANGUAGE)
King Sejong Does Not Cry Over Language Changes and Destruction:
Looking Back on Language Habits
by Sarah Chae, Editor
sarah3fran@gmail.com
“King Sejong is crying because teenagers are destroying Hangeul.” News like this is coming around the corner with Hangeul Day (the Korean alphabet day). Do you really think he will pour tears and have a “멘붕” (menboong: mental breakdown) because teenagers have made new words and expressions? Hang on if you want to know the answer. Plus, do not miss out on anything because the the SM Herald has got useful and fun information ready for you:
1) The difference between ‘Language’/‘Hangeul’ breakdowns
2) Interview: SMU Korean Language and Culture Professor Koo Hyun-Jung
3) Useful Korean FREE font information
1) The difference between ‘Language’/‘Hangeul’ breakdowns
The word mentioned above “멘붕(mental breakdown)”, is an example of an abbreviation (shortened words). “JMT (Jonmataeng: Extremely Delicious)” is using the English alphabet and is an abbreviation at the same time. Some say these kinds of phenomenon made by teens are breaking down the rules of Hangeul. However, using the English alphabet instead of Hangeul and abbreviations are actually closer to ‘language’ change and destruction, and is not ‘Hangeul’ destruction.
This means that the Korean language is not the Korean alphabet itself. I am sure you can understand this sentence easily enough. Then why is everybody confused about this? First of all, Hangeul is so closely related to sound that people confuse most of the language destruction phenomena with 'Hangeul destruction' like the examples above.
Another reason for the kind of articles on Hangeul Day that say King Sejong would shed tears, is, we do not have any other ‘Korean Day’. Since there is no Korean Day, as people (even smart teachers and reporters) look back on how right they are using their language, they must have confused the destruction of the language with the destruction of Korean. In short, the close relationship of the language and the alphabet has made the people think the two are the same thing. In short again, King Sejong won’t cry over language breakdowns. He made Hangeul, the alphabet, not the Korean language itself.
‘Language’/‘Hangeul’ Breakdowns and King Sejong
Some people might not agree with me yet and say King Sejong would cry nevertheless. Yes, when something is not original, it makes some people uncomfortable. This may make you think ‘Language’/‘Hangeul’ breakdowns will break his heart. Looking back again though, King Sejong made Hangeul for people who did not know the Chinese characters to make their words into letters and make them easier to use. He wanted to increase opportunities and chances to speak out for the people.
Yaminjeongeum(야민정음) is an example of a Hangeul breakdown. The shape of the letters is rearranged and misplaced. It may not be a perfect phenomenon and is difficult to communicate for people who do not know the rules. However, every language constantly changes. There is no way King Sejong would not know this fact. Korean and Hangeul have already changed shape, grammar, spelling, etc. through history. Therefore, King Sejong would probably be more interested in how his invention has naturally evolved in his people’s hands.
Examples of Yaminjeongeum, the shape of the letters is rearranged and misplaced by a similar looking letter.
2) Interview: SMU Korean Language and Culture Professor Koo Hyun-Jung
-Normally, when we think of Hangeul Day we think of King Sejong. Is there anyone and any other information we should know?
In the movie The King's Letters (2019, 나랏말싸미) the character of the Buddhist monk 'Sinmi' played a big role in making Hangeul. However, movies are just movies and are not history. The production of Hangeul was King Sejong's achievement, and Sinmi only played a role in the process of translating Buddhist scriptures into Korean to verify the effectiveness of Hangul.
Along with King Sejong, the person we should remember is the American missionary Homer Hulbert who created the first textbook in Korean. Not only did he act in many ways for Korea's independence, but he also led the effort to educate Koreans and spread the Korean alphabet by creating a textbook called Sămin p'ilji in 1891. He said, "I want to be buried in Korea rather than buried in Westminster Abbey", and his grave is in Yanghwajin.
-What comes to mind when you think of Hangeul and Hangeul Day?
It reminds me of Choi Hyeon-bae, who wrote Urimalbon (1937) in the Japanese colonial era. It would have been difficult to revive the Korean language if it were not for the Korean alphabet because during the colonial period Korean was not allowed to be used by prohibiting and changing Korean names. I thank the Korean Language Society (Joseoneo Hakhoe) teachers, including Choi Hyeon-bae, who treated Hangeul as a life and made dictionaries in prison.
A note saying “Hangeul is life.” By Choi Hyeon-bae
There are more than 7,000 languages and are all good for communicating and there are no 'better' languages than another. However, letters are a product of culture, and they reflect the level of a culture. Hangeul is the most advanced alphabet in the history of the development of characters. It is a featural alphabet whose common sound features are expressed in the same shape. Hangeul is the proudest cultural heritage for me as a Korean.
- What kind of language life do you expect from your students as a professor and auditor of the Korean Language Society?
Korean is a frame for expressing your thoughts, and the frame containing Korean is Hangeul. Ju Si-gyeong said, "If your words are harsh, your writings are rough; if your writings are rough, the words you use get harsh; if words and writings are calmed and controlled, the will and work of the people shall be governed." I hope that SMU students think first before using their language, and by changing their language style, I hope they will play the main role and shed light on this rough society.
3) Useful Korean FREE font information
The SM Herald is also proud of Hangeul! It sure is a great Korean alphabet. Do you want to celebrate it too? Participate in fun contests like the Handwriting contest and Pretty Postcard contest in the image below! Some corporations are celebrating Hangeul Day by sharing the font they use. Download it through the link below, and have fun using it.
Source:
김광해외, 1999, 국어지식탐구 [국어교육을위한국어학개론]
권재일, 2012, 한국어문법론
https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20181008116600055?input=1195m
http://www.newswatch.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=15949
http://www.joongboo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1328379
https://programs.sbs.co.kr/drama/rootedtree/visualboard/60612/?cmd=view&board_no=154
http://www.arirang.com/Tv2/TVCommon_NoStaff_Archive.asp?PROG_CODE=TVCR0556&MENU_CODE=101233&view_seq=4528&Page=5&sys_lang=Eng
https://news.joins.com/article/21994410
http://www.bostonkorea.com/news.php?code=&mode=view&num=25923
