The history of Hangul
Hangul was created by King Sejong the Great of the Joseon dynasty in 1443 and announced in 1446 in a book called Hunminjeongeum, “The Correct Sounds for the Instruction of the People”. He made it so that ordinary people, not only scholars, could read and write.
Before Hangul
For centuries, Koreans wrote with Chinese characters. They took years to learn, so most people could not read or write their own language. In the preface to Hunminjeongeum, King Sejong wrote that many common people had things to say but could not put them in writing, and that he made new letters so everyone could learn them easily and use them every day.
Letters shaped like the mouth
The basic consonants are drawn after the shape of the mouth and tongue when making each sound: ㄱ shows the back of the tongue touching the throat, ㄴ the tongue touching the gum behind the teeth, ㅁ the mouth, ㅅ a tooth and ㅇ the throat. Other consonants add strokes to these, so letters that sound alike look alike.
The vowels are built from three elements that stood for heaven (a dot), earth (ㅡ) and people (ㅣ).
From 28 letters to 24
Hunminjeongeum had 28 letters. Four of them fell out of use over time, which leaves the 24 basic letters used today: 14 consonants and 10 vowels. Doubled consonants (ㄲ ㄸ ㅃ ㅆ ㅉ) and combined vowels (ㅐ ㅔ ㅘ and others) are made from them.
The book that explains it
Hunminjeongeum Haerye, the edition that explains how the letters were designed, was added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 1997.
The name “Hangul” and Hangul Day
The name 한글 (Hangul) came into use in the early 20th century; the linguist Ju Si-gyeong is credited with it. In North Korea the script is called 조선글 (Chosŏn'gŭl).
South Korea celebrates Hangul Day on October 9, a public holiday. Today Hangul is the everyday script of Korea, and hanja appear mostly in names and some formal writing.
Questions
Who invented Hangul?
King Sejong the Great, the fourth king of the Joseon dynasty, created Hangul in 1443.
When was Hangul created?
Hangul was created in 1443 and announced to the public in 1446 in the book Hunminjeongeum.
How many letters does Hangul have?
24 basic letters: 14 consonants and 10 vowels. The original Hunminjeongeum had 28; four are no longer used.
When is Hangul Day?
October 9 in South Korea, where it is a public holiday.
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