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A Special Exhibition on the Korean Alphabet

A Special Exhibition on the Korean Alphabet

You can learn the KOREAN ALPHABET in one morning

Tuesday, February 09, 2010
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Royce Hall 2nd Floor
UCLA

This exhibition will begin on Wednesday, February 3rd at 9:00 AM and end on Tuesday, February 9th at 4:30 PM

Exhibition Hours: 9:00AM-4:30PM everyday

The Invention of the Korean Alphabet

The Korean alphabet was created in 1443 by King Sejong the Great. This uniquely Korean writing system was proclaimed under the original name Hunmin Jeongeum (the Correct Sounds for the Instruction of the People) in 1446, at which time a book under the same name was published. In the preface to the Hunmin Jeongeum, the King expressed his determination and dedication to Korean cultural independence, as well as his prodigious commitment to the welfare of his people.

Breaking from the long tradition of bipartite syllable structure fundamental to Chinese phonology, King Sejong discerned the crucial concept necessary to writing Korean effectively; the analysis of tripartite syllabic structure, including an initial consonant or "onset," a vowel or "nucleus," and a final consonant or "coda."

Writing a Syllable: In Korean, the alphabetic signs are written in syllabic units, each of which fits into a square. The layout of signs inside each square depends on the syllable structure as well as the vowel involved.

Syllabic units are read from left to right, then top to bottom.

The Korean writing system, now known as Hangeul, is the only alphabet with an official birthday (October 9), during which its creator is memorialized.

In 1420, King Sejong the Great also established the Academy of the Wisdoms (Jipheonjeon), a royal research institute, inside the palace walls.

Reference: Sang-Oak, Lee et al., 1992, Korean through English (three volumes), Hollym Co., Elizabeth, NJ, & Seoul.

Cost: Free

Special Instructions

This event is open to the public.

For more information please contact

Sang-Oak Lee
sangoak@snu.ac.kr

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