The Only Alphabet Invented by a Single Person: The Secret of the Korean Alphabet Hangul
There are 293 known writing systems (alphabet, syllabic, logogram, etc.) worldwide. Of course, not all of these are used today. Many writing systems have emerged as a result of a natural cultural evolution that lasted for centuries. In addition, it is generally a mystery who exactly invented the alphabets we use today or when they emerged. However, there is one alphabet that was designed completely from scratch and by a single person for a whole nation. The alphabet we are talking about is the Korean alphabet Hangul.
So, who invented Hangul? What makes the Korean alphabet special?
What is the Alphabet Invented by One Person in the World?
Hangul is the official writing system used in both South and North Korea today. Unlike most alphabets (Latin, Cyrillic, Arabic, etc.) that have evolved naturally over hundreds of years, Hangul is a 'synthetic' alphabet that was designed entirely from scratch in a conscious and systematic way.
Why Was Such an Invention Needed?
Until the 15th century, Koreans did not have their own writing system. They spoke Korean but used Chinese characters (Hanja) when writing. Since Chinese and Korean are completely different languages in terms of grammar, it was so difficult to learn that only nobles who had the time and money to receive education knew how to read and write.
This situation was leaving the public ignorant. However, there was a need for a simple system to end social inequality and enable the common man to put his troubles on paper. That's exactly why Hangul emerged.
Who Invented Hangul?
Hangul was personally invented in 1443 by the Great King Sejong, the fourth ruler of the Joseon Dynasty. King Sejong officially announced this new system in 1446 with an original historical document called Hunminjeongeum (The Document that Teaches the Sounds to the People).
What Sets Hangul Apart from All Other Alphabets?
The fundamental features that make Hangul unique in world history and cause it to be seen as a 'masterpiece' by linguists are as follows:
Anatomical and Scientific Design: The shapes of the letters were not drawn randomly. The shapes of the consonant letters mimic the physical shape taken by the tongue, palate, teeth, lips, and throat when that sound is produced (For example, 'ㄱ' mimics the tongue's root closing the palate when the g/k sound is produced).
Philosophical Basis: Vowel letters were derived from Far Eastern philosophical symbols representing the sky (dot), the earth (horizontal line), and the human (vertical line).
Exact Birth Date: It is unknown exactly who invented the mainstream alphabets in the world and on which day. The process of invention, logic, and publication date of Hangul, however, are confirmed by original records.
Accessibility: King Sejong introduced this alphabet by saying, 'A smart man can learn it before the end of a morning, and it takes a stupid man ten days.' Today, it is the fundamental reason for the 99% literacy rate in Korea.
So, Is Hangul Really Unique in the World?
Even though it's always referred to as 'the only one', there are actually a few more alphabets invented by a single person.
The Braille Alphabet, created by Louis Braille for the visually impaired,
The Cherokee Script, created by an illiterate Native American named Sequoyah for his tribe, are unique examples of alphabets invented by a single person.
But what truly sets Hangul apart is this: It is the only alphabet in the world that was designed with laboratory precision by a monarch himself, for the purpose of becoming the official state language of a whole nation, and has been used by an entire country for centuries.
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