HAN GEUL Meaning and
Definition
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Han geul, also spelled Hangul, is an alphabetic writing system that is utilized for the Korean language. It was developed in the 15th century during the Joseon Dynasty, under the guidance of King Sejong the Great. Han geul consists of a set of characters that represent both consonants and vowels, making it a featural script. This writing system is highly regarded for its simplicity, scientific design, and ease of learning.
The characters of han geul are organized into syllabic blocks, with each block representing a complete syllable. The blocks can be arranged horizontally or vertically to form words and sentences. This feature enables Korean script to be written in various directions, providing flexibility in written communication.
With a total of 24 basic letters, han geul can generate both simple and complex sounds. The consonant letters represent the shape of the mouth when pronouncing the sound, while the vowel letters depict the vertical or horizontal position of the tongue during pronunciation. Combined with consonant modifiers and double vowels, han geul can represent nearly all sounds in the Korean language.
Han geul has played a critical role in promoting high literacy rates in Korea. Its simplicity and phonetic nature have made it accessible to a wide range of learners. As a result, han geul has significantly contributed to national unity, as it has facilitated the spread of knowledge and fostered effective communication among Koreans.
Etymology of HAN GEUL
The word "han geul" refers to the Korean writing system, known as "Hangeul" in modern romanization. The term "Hangeul" has two components: "han" and "geul".
The "han" (한) in "Hangeul" refers to the concept of "Korea" or "Korean". It has its roots in the ancient Korean kingdom of "Gojoseon" (고조선), which existed around 2333 BCE. The term "han" has been used to refer to the Korean people and language since ancient times.
The term "geul" (글) in "Hangeul" means "script" or "writing". It comes from the Sino-Korean word "글자" (geulja), which also means "script" or "letters".
