© Park Byoung-chul

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Hangeul: A Gold Medal Writing System © Cultural Administration Heritage ’s indigenous alphabet is one of mankind’s greatest intellectual achievements

_ Written by Robert J. Fouser, former associate professor, Department of Education, National University

__ view If there were an “Olympics of writing Th e preamble to the promulgation is as Hangeul as their systems,” Hangeul would certainly sweep famous to Koreans as, say, the Declaration greatest cultural the gold medals. Linguists, Korean and of Independence is to Americans: achievement. The non-Korean alike, have long praised Because the speech of this country is “Hunminjeongeum Hangeul for its uniqueness among writing diff erent from that of , the spoken Haeryebon,” an systems. Th e late James McCawley, a noted language does not match the Chinese explanatory text linguist at the University of , held characters. As a result many common people for the alphabet annual Hangeul Day parties with fellow cannot express their concerns adequately. published in 1446, linguists from the 1970s until his death Saddened by this, I have developed 28 was added to the in 1999. In an interview that is available new letters. It is my wish that people may UNESCO Memory on YouTube, he said, “Hangeul is the learn these letters easily and that they be of the World most ingeniously devised writing system convenient for daily use. Register in 1997. that exists.” Similarly, Geoff rey Sampson, Th e preamble has since become a a noted scholar on writing systems, symbol of “Koreanness” and is used as a said, “Hangeul must be unquestionably decorative motif for wallpaper, scarves, and ranked as one of the greatest intellectual even coff ee mugs. Increasing numbers of achievements of humankind.” foreign learners of Korean are discovering Koreans view Hangeul as their greatest the masterful simplicity of Hangeul. cultural achievement. Hangeul Day is celebrated on Oct. 9 every year, and is the only national holiday in the world that A scientifi ,c philosophical writing honors a writing system. (North Korea system celebrates the equivalent of Hangeul Hangeul is unique in many ways. Of the Day on Jan. 15, though not as a national G20 nations, Korea is the only nation with holiday.) King completed a writing system invented especially for its the development of Hangeul in 1443 and language. All other major languages use promulgated it offi cially in 1446 aft er three writing systems that either evolved slowly years of trial and application to actual use. through years of use or were borrowed

KOREA _ October _ 8 This work of Hangeul calligraphy by Park Byoung-chul is the Korean word for “clothing,” but its shape resembles a human being. KOREA _ October _ 9 © Ryu Seung-hoo © Ryu

from other languages. Korea is one of the Economy of word __ Korea is one of few nations in the world with a writing Hangeul is also one of the most economical the few nations system that can truly be called its own. Th is writing systems. All of the letters are in the world with explains why Koreans associate Hangeul combinations of two common shapes: lines a writing system with their national identity. and circles. Hangeul has only 24 distinct that can truly be Th e most extraordinary feature of letters (four of the original 28 letters have called its own. Hangeul is that the letters indicate the become obsolete and are no longer used), This explains why shape of the tongue and mouth in making 14 consonants and 10 vowels, making it Koreans associate the particular sound. In linguistics, this is easy to learn and easy to write. Hangeul is Hangeul with their referred to as the “place of articulation,” also easily adapted to computers, mobile national identity. and Hangeul is the only writing system phones and other electronic devices. Some that shows this. In categorizing the world’s researchers in the history of information writing systems, Geoff rey Sampson created technology have argued that the ease of a category, “featural writing system,” just for Hangeul. Th is is what linguists are referring to when they describe Hangeul as “scientifi c.” ㄱ Th e letter , for example, shows the a g tongue being raised in the back of the h mouth when pronouncing the /k/ and /g/ eu sounds. Th e letter ㄴshows the tongue raised toward the front of the mouth when n l The statue of King Sejong at Plaza pronouncing the /n/ sound. Th e letter ㅅ /h/ + /a/ + /n/ /g/ + /eu/ + /l/ suggests a pointy tooth and indicates the location of the tongue right behind the teeth © Ministry of Culture, and Sports © Ministry Tourism in pronouncing the /s/ and /sh/ sounds. A more abstract example is the letter ㅁ, which ㅁ roughly shows the shape of the lips and the low position of the tongue in pronouncing the /m/ sound. Th e addition of extra lines in Hangeul

letters indicates the addition of a new /g, k/ /n/ /m/ /s/ /ng/ phonetic element to a basic sound. Th e addition of a short line to ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ and ㅈ, for example, indicates aspiration, or the sound of air fl owing, for ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ and ㅊ. Likewise, the doubling of the letters ㄱ, ㄷ, /k/ /d, t/ /b, p/ /j/ ㅂ and ㅈ to form ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃand ㅉ indicates a strong sound. Hangeul also has a philosophical side, /t/ /p/ /ch/ /h/ ㄱ which is unique among writing systems. Th e vowels are divided into “light” and “dark” vowels, refl ecting the ideas of “yin” and ㅈ “yang,” the two polar opposites that coexist /l, r/ and complement each other in nature in East Asian philosophy. Letters for light vowels all have short lines, which were originally dots, facing up or to the right, whereas letters for dark vowels are all written with short lines /kk/ /tt/ /pp/ /ss/ /jj/ facing down or to the left . Principles underlying the Hangeul system

KOREAYou _ October can explore _ 10 the past, present and future of Hangeul at the National Hangeul Museum. KOREA _ October _ 11 © Foundation Institute Sejong The King

inputting Hangeul into a computer or mobile phone stimulated the early diff usion of IT in Korea. ㅣ ㅏ Another economical aspect of Hangeul ㅣ ㅑ is its effi cient use of space. Th e letters ㅣ ㅓ are organized into syllables that fi t into ㅣ ㅕ squares. Th e syllables are then lined up ㅡ ㅗ to make words, and, unlike in Chinese ㅡ ㅛ and Japanese, spaces are placed between words. Th e grouping of letters into syllable blocks saves space and makes Hangeul easy ㅇㅣ 아 to read because syllables oft en contain a ㄹㅡㅁ 름 meaning. Th e word “Hangeul,” for example, ㄷㅣ 다 is composed of two syllables: “Han” which ㅇㅡ ㄴ 운 means “Korea,” and “geul,” which means ㅎㅣ ㄴ 한 “letter.” Some researchers in communication have argued that the economy of Hangeul ㄱㅡㄹ 글 allows more meaning to be conveyed in a limited space, which contributed to the early spread of social media in Korea. Since Hangeul allows users to compose letters from just a handful of basic forms, it’s easy to write using even the small keyboard of a mobile phone. Participants in a lesson on Hangeul calligraphy at the in Bonn, , show off their work. Growing international interest

Hangeul was not always revered in Korea © Foundation Institute Sejong The King as it is today. Th e promulgation of Hangeul © YonhapNews caused a fl urry of experimentation with the new writing system, but it failed to dislodge as the dominant written form. Hangeul was used in diaries, poetry and popular stories during the period (1392-1910). Th e Japanese imperialist invasion of Korea in the late 19th century destroyed the centuries-old Sinocentric world, causing a nationalistic awakening to resist Japanese infl uence. Nationalists adopted Hangeul as a symbol Student at the King Sejong Institute in , of Korea’s independence, and promoted

its use as the primary writing system in © YonhapNews Korea. During the dark years of Japanese __ Korea’s rise colonial rule from 1910 to 1945, the in stature after Korean Language Research Society democratization promoted Hangeul through classes and the and the Seoul publication of books and dictionaries. Aft er 1988 Olympic liberation, Hangeul became dominant, Games moved though Chinese characters continued to more foreigners be taught, mainly for cultural literacy. to learn Korean, Founded in 1991, the National Institute which has helped of the Korean Language is responsible spread global for standardizing Hangeul orthography awareness of and promoting the proper use of Hangeul Students study Korean at the University of Dodoma in Tanzania. Hangeul.

KOREA _ October _ 12 Students take a Korean language exam at the Korea Education Center in , . KOREA _ October _ 13 © Korea & Design Foundation Craft © YonhapNews among the people. 1 Korea’s rise in stature aft er Yoon Min Goo’s “Original Drawing in democratization and the Seoul 1988 © AG Typography Lab City” is on display at Olympic Games moved more foreigners the 2015 International to learn Korean, which has helped spread Typography Biennale. global awareness of Hangeul. Universities in Korea and overseas started Korean 2 language programs and the number Yeo Tae-myong’s “Model of of learners gradually rose. Interest in 4 1 Hunminjeongeum learning Korean took a jump in the 2000s

© Lee Ho Seung Vowels and as Korean TV shows became popular in Consonants” on __ In 2015, some and more foreigners began to live display at the Hangeul 91,000 foreign and work in Korea. Th e worldwide spread Gallery in Jeonju students were of K-pop in the 2010s caused another studying in Korean jump in foreigners learning Korean. Th e 3 universities. Of A visitor at the boom is refl ected in the Modern Language these, 22,000 Association’s survey of foreign language 2011 International Typography Biennale were enrolled in enrolment in U.S. universities. Th e number passes by a piece Korean language 5 of students studying Korean rose from titled “3D Variation,” programs. 101 in 1970 to 365 in 1980, 2,375 in 1990, by Han Jae-joon. 5,211 in 2002, and 12,229 in 2013, the most recent year in which a survey took place. 4 exchange and language teaching. Th e vary by university and major, it seems Two fonts created Universities in China and have seen by Ahn Sang-soo, a King Sejong Institute diff ers from these probable that most of these students have similar sharp jumps in enrolment. 2 pioneer in organizations in that it has focused on learned Korean to some degree and many Perhaps more important is the opening typeface design: supporting locally run small schools are fl uent. Th e number of foreign students of new programs in places where Korean “Ahnsangsoo” in places where no Korean language grew dramatically in the 2000s, but has language classes had not existed. Th is and “Ahnsangsoo program exists. In recent years, the slowed somewhat in the 2010s. Rounded” gives more people the opportunity to institute has grown rapidly and now has Individuals have also played an learn Korean and has helped strengthen about 60,000 students enrolled in its 143 important role in the Korean language 5 © YonhapNews

Korea’s relationship with smaller countries © Lie Sangbong The Korean Pavilion schools in 57 countries. It also sponsors boom through websites, blogs and through language and cultural exchange. at the 2010 Shanghai various exchange programs for teachers videos that spread as social media gained Th e , which was founded Expo incorporates and learners of Korean. In July 2016, the popularity in the 2010s. One of the most in 1991 to promote , has Hangeul into its Korean government announced that other popular websites is “Talk to Me in Korean,” off ered fi nancial support for universities design. schools teaching Korean overseas would founded in 2009 by Hyunwoo Sun. Sun and overseas to hire Korean language and use the King Sejong Institute name for their his colleagues have produced over 1,000 Korean studies professors ‒ critical to 6 programs and materials. video lessons and a number of books. Th ey maintaining a language program over time. Fashion designer Lie Sangbong is Th e boom in Korean language also reach a large learner base through As of 2013, the foundation has established renowned for his learning has also brought more foreign YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Another 113 professorships at 76 universities in 12 Hangeul-inspired students to Korea. In 2015, some 91,000 popular website is “KoreanClass101,” which countries around the world. Of these, 38 designs. foreign students were studying in Korean has an extensive collection of video lessons. have a language component. universities. Of these, 22,000 were enrolled A number of short videos and comics In 2005, the Korean government in Korean language programs, 33,000 in focusing on teaching Hangeul have also established the King Sejong Institute undergraduate degree programs, 23,000 appeared. One such example is the short to promote Korean language education in graduate degree programs and 13,000 comic series by Ryan Estrada titled “Learn overseas. Th e King Sejong Institute follows in other programs. Chinese students make to Read Korean in 15 Minutes.” in the tradition of the Alliance Française up 59 percent of the total with 54,000, with (), the (United students from (4.9 percent), Japan Kingdom), the Goethe-Institut (Germany) (3.8 percent), (3.4 percent) and Hangeul in the arts and the Institute (China) as a 3 the U.S. (3.2 percent) rounding out the Hangeul’s uniqueness has interested fl agship organization to promote cultural 6 top fi ve. Th ough language requirements designers, who like to play with the

KOREA _ October _ 14 KOREA _ October _ 15 Interview © Ryu Seung-hoo © Ryu shapes. Ahn Sang-Soo, a former professor Hangeul has made its way into fashion of typography and design at Hongik as designers have drawn on its simple Bringing Hangeul to the World University in Seoul and founder of beauty for inspiration. Renowned fashion Ahn Graphics Ltd., is the founder of designer Lie Sangbong has experimented Calligrapher Park Byoung-chul transforms Korea’s writing system into art contemporary typography in Korea. with Hangeul motifs and is known for His experimentation with Hangeul gave the bold Hangeul calligraphy covering subsequent generations of designers the his garments. Lie opened his fi rst shop _ Written by Robert Koehler confi dence to think out of the box and overseas in New York in 2015. create new designs using Hangeul. Th e National Hangeul Museum, which A number of Korean artists have also A Starbucks sign written in Korean in the opened in 2014, is the fi rst national museum experimented with Hangeul in their work. Insa-dong area of Seoul in the world dedicated to a writing system. Kang Ik-joong, an installation artist, Th e museum provides a comprehensive makes extensive use of Hangeul in his introduction to the linguistic and cultural © Park Byoung-chul installations. His most famous Hangeul- history of Hangeul. Hangeul-related exhibits related work is the Korean Pavilion for can be found in other museums in Seoul, the 2010 Shanghai Expo. Th e building such as the National Museum of Korea combined various Hangeul letters and __ Hangeul’s (located across from the National Hangeul was covered with 40,000 Hangeul-themed uniqueness Museum), the King Sejong Story exhibition aluminum panels. Th e underside of the has interested in Gwanghwamun, the Central Buddhist © Park Byoung-chul designers, who like “Hangeul is an alphabet of love, born designer, which enlivened his building was decorated with brightly Museum in Insa-dong, the King Sejong the of King Sejong the Great’s love for the artistic sensibilities. He found colored Hangeul sentences. to play with the Great Memorial Hall in Dongdaemun-gu, shapes. p e op l e .” particular joy in Hangeul calligraphy. Foreign graphic designers, meanwhile, and the Choe Hyeon-bae Memorial Hall in Park Byoung-chul is one of Korea’s At the age of 40, he quit his job and have begun to take an interest in Hangeul. Ulsan. best-loved calligraphers. His iconic began life as a calligrapher. He recalls, Hsin Yin Low, a Malaysian designer, In October 2016, several important words of encouragement have graced “I thought I must fi nd the beauty of created a stencil typeface for Hangeul called Hangeul events will be held. Th e Hangeul Seoul’s landmark Kyobo Building since Hangeul and express how today’s “Nanul.” Likewise, Joe Burke, a British Cultural Festival will announce the results 2009, and his handiwork appears on people feel through calligraphy.” designer, created a Hangeul typeface called of Culture, and Sports © Ministry Tourism of a public Hangeul calligraphy contest, countless consumer products and While Hangeul may be one of “Baurean,” which draws on the Braun sponsored by the city of Ulsan in honor advertisements. Over the last couple of the world’s most utilitarian writing typeface created in 1952 by Wolfgang of native son Choe Hyeon-bae, one of the years, however, he has worked to bring systems, in the hands of a calligrapher Schmittel. Other international designers, most famous Hangeul scholars of the 20th the beauty of Hangeul to the world as a it becomes a malleable artistic such as Kelvin Kottke in New York and century. Th e Yonsei University Korean member of Hangeul Planet, a nonprofi t material. Venise Abed in France, have designed Language Institute will sponsor its 25th organization dedicated to developing “Hangeul, prior to it becoming a Hangeul logos for businesses. annual Korean language writing contest for original content for Korea’s UNESCO- medium for calligraphy, was simple In recent years, several museums foreign nationals on Hangeul Day, October recognized indigenous writing system. Hangeul and not very diverse,” Park explains. overseas have held exhibitions on Hangeul. 9. Th e National Hangeul Museum and In 2013, he held a special calligraphy “ “Hangeul calligraphy is making this In 2009, the UC Davis Design Museum other organizations will also hold Hangeul demonstration, or “Hangeul Party,” for calligraphy is simple alphabet bloom by putting it in held an exhibition titled “Typographic Visitors take in an exhibit at the 2015 Day events. Korean adoptees in Minnesota. Th is making this simple the wind.” Hangeul Culture Festival. Exploration in Hangul: Work by Hyunju In 2015, the Korean government got such a positive response that he alphabet bloom He believes the future of Hangeul Lee and Phil Choo.” In 2013, the Godwin- drew up plans for a National Museum © Korea & Design Foundation Craft followed it up with shows in Illinois, by putting it in the is bright because, he explains, not only Ternbach Museum at Queens College in of World Writing Systems in the Songdo Minnesota and New York in 2015 and wind.” is it an alphabet that can express every New York held an exhibition of Hangeul International Business District in Incheon Alabama and Minnesota again in 2016. sound in the world, but you can also calligraphy by New York-based Yoo to create a platform for international “Th e foreigners who see my work add feeling and life to each and every Sung Lee, who goes by the name “Aram.” exchange on writing systems and to foster respond well. Th ey are surprise and letter through calligraphy. Calligraphy also helped Hangeul Planet, an understanding of Hangeul in a broader interested,” he says. “Th ey say it’s “Th e coming together of Hangeul a nonprofi t organization dedicated to historical and linguistic context. Upon beautiful. Hangeul is so easy to learn Making Hangeul bloom and calligraphy was fortunate,” he promoting Hangeul, get off the ground in its completion in 2020, Korea will be the you could call it a ‘morning alphabet’ A star rugby player in his youth, Park says. “I am certain that Hangeul art 2013. Th e organization grew out of various only nation in the world with two national because you could learn it all in a single gave up sports for a life in the arts. produced by Hangeul calligraphy will “Hangeul parties” to help Korean adoptees museums on writing systems ‒ surely an morning...I think if you put all these “I enjoyed drawing, writing, long be loved by the people of the and their parents learn about Korean Typojanchi 2015: Fourth International appropriate way to honor its medal-worthy strengths together, Hangeul has great imagining and creating more,” he says. w or l d .” culture through calligraphy. Typography Biennale writing system. potential as an excellent Hallyu item.” He fi rst found work as a graphic

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