朝鲜王朝与韩文创制：世宗大王如何用文字改变民族命运

Before Hangul, Chinese characters were used for writing in Korea. Differences between Korean and Chinese made expressing Korean speech through these characters difficult for many people. The Hunminjeongeum preface describes making written expression more accessible as a reason for the new script.

King Sejong completed the script in 1443. The Hunminjeongeum, explaining its purpose and principles, was published in 1446. These dates refer to different events: creation and publication.

The original system had 28 basic letters: 17 consonants and 11 vowels. Modern Hangul uses 24 basic letters: 14 consonants and 10 vowels, which combine to form further letters and syllables. The two counts describe different stages of the alphabet.

Linguists worldwide regard Hangul as an intellectual masterpiece because the consonant shapes are not arbitrary symbols: they are geometric schematics of the speech organs when producing the sound.

The letter ㄱ depicts the tongue root blocking the throat; ㄴ mimics the tongue tip touching the upper palate; ㅁ draws the closed lips; ㅅ represents the teeth; and ㅇ traces the open throat. Stronger aspirated sounds were created systematically by adding single strokes to these base shapes.

Vowels embody philosophical cosmology through three foundational elements: a dot representing the round Heavens (•), a horizontal stroke representing the flat Earth (ㅡ), and a vertical line representing upright Humanity (ㅣ) standing between them.

The arrival of Hangul did not immediately end the use of Chinese characters. National Hangeul Museum exhibitions trace its widening use in books, letters and daily life over subsequent centuries.

Hangul became an official national script in 1894, centuries after its creation. Creating a writing system, spreading its use and adopting it officially were distinct historical developments.

Hangul letters are grouped into syllable blocks: an initial consonant, a vowel and, where present, a final consonant. What looks like one square symbol to a beginner is a combination of letters with distinct sounds and roles.

Learners can begin with the basic letters and then practise reading syllable blocks in names and signs. National Hangeul Museum resources connect the shapes and sounds of letters with their history.