1. Preface
Hangeul is a very conspicuous writing system different
from every other writing system in various aspects.
It is needless to explain here again that which
is conspicuous, and where such a characteristic
originates. This is because innumerable research
studies and explanations have been made on it,
and as a result, nowadays its scientific distinction
and originality are recognized world-wide. Nevertheless,
every time we discuss Hangeul, we cannot but mention
its peculiarity again and again (which no one
denies), and cannot emphasize its right implications
too frequently. To know well and always to speak
of the distinctions of Hangeul theoretically is
one thing, and not to fail to overlook and neglect
it in discussing and describing Hangeul practically
is another.
The Roman alphabet and Japanese Kana(假名) are derived
from other writing systems. This was not true
of only these two, but most extant and extinct
writing systems were known to be brought about
in this way.1)
But Hangeul was not the case.
It was invented by King Sejong in the 15th century.
And the method which King Sejong used in inventing
it was scientific and creative, never at random.
The fact that Hangeul has many traits appearing
in no other writing system was due to its unique
process of birth.
The various theories and methodologies applied
to the invention of Hangeul are called ‘the principles
of making graphemes’ as a common designation.
It is the very ‘principles of making graphemes’
that this present paper will chiefly deal with.
As is revealed in the title, the graphic shapes
will be discussed in this paper. Yet as the principles
fixing graphic shapes or the content implied in
graphic shapes are ultimately the principles of
making graphemes, the two subjects could be identical.
The principles of making graphemes cannot be discussed
in every writing system. They can be discussed
only in Hangeul and can be meaningful. In the
other cases of writing systems, as a result of
long transformation of the existing writing system,
the very term ‘making principles’ is meaningless.
Yet even in the other cases of writing systems
the ‘graphic shapes’ could possibly be discussed
and it may be necessary to do so. However, even
in this case the content cannot be the same as
that of Hangeul. The graphic shapes of Hangeul
are not only mere symbols which distinguish themselves
from each other, but the significant signs which
contain various theories and pieces of information
in their shapes.
The principle of making graphemes of Hangeul,
that is, the various theories and methodologies
appearing in the process of inventing a new writing
system could not be handed down in their actual
aspects afterwards.2)
What could not handed down afterwards was not
only the principles of making graphemes; the very
fact that King Sejong himself invented Hangeul
had been almost forgotten for a long time. As
a result even as late as the beginning of this
century, not a few people thought that Hangeul
was also derived from other existing writing systems.
Many hypotheses presented under the name of the
origins of Hangeul, were eloquent of the affairs
at that time. In the article of Choi Hy?n-Bae's
(1961) the summary and criticisms of the various
opinions on the origin of Hangeul, were seen.
It could not be said that the similar opinions
completely disappeared. Anyway, in the case of
Hangeul if we took no notice of the invention
or denied it, the subject of ‘making principles’
itself could not come into existence. In other
words the discussion of the making principles
presupposes the scientific invention. The author
does not dispute this fact. There could be seen
few counter-examples to doubt or refute the very
fact of the invention at least for the present
time.
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1)
All writing systems except Hangeul could
be said to have the same origin. Before Hangeul
was known to the academic circles of the world,
special works in the Western world in fact had
described it in this way.
2) Even in a book titled ?Yongjaechonghwa?(傭齎叢話)
the phrase that the graphic shapes of Hangeul
imitated Sanskrit scripts(其字體依梵字爲之), was seen.
So if the phrase was not the fact, misunderstandings
of Hangeul seem to have emerged shortly after
the invention. Hangeul was invented personally
and covertly by King Sejong. Therefore, if he
had not made the process of the invention open
somewhat in detail after the invention, people
at that time might not have fully known how to
make Hangeul. How could we, even though living
in these modern times, know all the occurrences
in their deepest aspect in these modern times?
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