The Korean alphabet : its history and structure

Bibliographic Information

The Korean alphabet : its history and structure

edited by Young-Key Kim-Renaud

University of Hawaiʿi Press, c1997

  • : cloth
  • : pbk

Available at  / 22 libraries

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Note

Includes bibliographies and index

Description and Table of Contents

Volume

: pbk ISBN 9780824817237

Description

The Korean alphabet, commonly known as han'gul, has been called one of the greatest intellectual achievements of humankind. Experts agree that few writing systems can match its simplicity and efficiency, its elegance and intelligence. The only alphabet completely native to East Asia, han'gul distinguishes itself among writing systems of the world with its scientific qualities and unusual linguistic fit to the Korean language. Most strikingly, the theoretical underpinnings of the language, as well as the time and circumstances of its creation, are clearly known and recorded. Han'gul was invented in 1443 and promulgated in 1446 by King Sejong (1418-1450), sage ruler of the Yi dynasty (1392-1910). This volume, the first book-length work on han'gul in English by Korean-language specialists, is comprised of ten essays by the most active scholars of the Korean writing system. An instructive commentary by eminent linguist Samuel Martin follows, offering perceptive comments on the essays as well as a discussion on Martin's own research findings on the script.
Volume

: cloth ISBN 9780824819897

Description

A collection of ten essays which cover topics such as: arguments for King Sejong's ""personal creation"" of the script; the Asian and domestic linguistic and socio-cultural background to its creation; the principles under which each symbol was created; and the structure of phonological units.

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