The Philosophical and Linguistic Principles
Scientific Approach to Language
Simplicity and Accessibility
The creation of Hangul was grounded in a scientific approach to language. King Sejong and his scholars meticulously studied the phonetics and phonology of the Korean language to design a writing system that accurately represented its sounds. This scientific methodology is evident in the way Hangul characters are structured. The consonants were designed to resemble the shape of the mouth and tongue when producing the corresponding sounds. For example, the consonant “ㄱ” (g) represents the shape of the tongue when it touches the roof of the mouth to produce the [k] sound.
The vowels were based on three basic elements: a dot (•) representing the sun (heaven), a horizontal line (ㅡ) representing the earth, and a vertical line (ㅣ) representing humans. These elements combine to form complex vowels, reflecting a deep understanding of phonetic principles. This innovative approach ensured that Hangul was not only easy to learn but also highly efficient in representing the sounds of the Korean language.
Simplicity and Accessibility
One of the core principles behind Hangul’s creation was its simplicity and accessibility. King Sejong intended for Hangul to be easy to learn and use, allowing people of all social classes to become literate. The simplicity of Hangul lies in its logical and systematic design. Each character is composed of a combination of consonants and vowels, forming syllabic blocks. This block structure is both simple and intuitive, making it easy for learners to grasp.
The accessibility of Hangul is further enhanced by its minimal number of basic characters. With just 14 consonants and 10 vowels, learners can quickly master the basic building blocks of the language. This simplicity was revolutionary at the time, as it drastically reduced the time and effort needed to achieve literacy compared to the complex Classical Chinese
characters previously used.
The creation of Hangul exemplifies a remarkable blend of scientific rigor and philosophical insight, making it one of the most efficient and accessible writing systems in the world. Its design reflects a profound respect for the spoken language and a commitment to making literacy attainable for all.
