Korean writing, known as
Hangul, might appear similar to
Chinese characters at first glance, but it is a completely separate writing system with unique characteristics. In this post, we'll discuss the historical connection between Korean and Chinese writing systems, and explore how Hangul has evolved over the centuries to become the standard script for the
Korean language today.
Historical Connection to Chinese Characters
Prior to the creation of Hangul, Koreans used Classical Chinese characters, known as Hanja, for their
written communication. Hanja was adopted in Korea as early as the 7th century and remained the primary writing system in use for over a thousand years. Korean scholars and the elite class were familiar with Hanja due to the close cultural and political ties between Korea and China. However, the complexity of Chinese characters, coupled with the significant differences between the Korean and Chinese languages, meant that many Koreans struggled to attain literacy.
Creation of Hangul
In 1443, during the Joseon dynasty, King Sejong the Great commissioned a group of scholars to create a new writing system exclusively for the Korean language. This new script, called "Hunminjeongeum" which later became known as Hangul, was introduced in 1446. Hangul is a
phonetic alphabet, consisting of 14 basic consonants and 10 basic vowels. The characters are organized in syllable blocks with each block representing a single syllable, a feature that distinguishes it from Chinese characters.
Hangul's Evolution and Current Usage
After its creation, Hangul was initially met with resistance from the scholarly class who continued to utilize Chinese characters. It wasn't until the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during a period of Korean nationalism and social reform, that Hangul became more widely adopted. Today, Hangul is the official writing system of both North and South Korea, with Hanja being used only in limited contexts such as legal documents and academic research. Hangul's simplicity and ease of learning have contributed to the high literacy rate of the Korean population, while still acknowledging the historical connection to Chinese characters.
In conclusion, while Korean writing has its roots in Chinese characters, Hangul is an independent writing system specifically designed for the Korean language. It has evolved throughout its history, playing a fundamental role in Korean society and contributing to the widespread literacy of its people.