한글 익히기 I - Master Hangeul, The Korean Alphabet I
한글 소개 - Introduction to Hangeul (The Korean Alphabet)
Hangeul was created in 1443 by King Sejong of Joseon Dynasty. Before that, Koreans used Chinese characters when writing Korean Language. However, Chinese characters were to difficult for ordinary people without education. Thus, King Sejeong created Hangeul, which can be easily used by ordinary people.
Vowels: Vowels letters were made like this.
King Sejong Made 'ㅏ, ㅑ, ㅓ, ㅕ, ㅗ, ㅛ, ㅜ, ㅠ' based on the three basic Vowels (i.e: ., _, |), which depicted the round sky, the flat earth and a standing person. The rest of vowels were made by combining these basic letters.
Consonants: consonant letters were made like this.
The basic letters 'ㄱ, ㄴ, ㅁ, ㅅ, ㅇ' were made in the shape of the parts of the mouth that form their sounds.
One more stroke was added to the basic letters to males the sound 'ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ, ㅊ' with strong air flow.
The same letters was writen twice for tense sound as in 'ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, ㅉ'.
Syllables: This is how syllables were formed.
Consonants and vowels are combined to form syllable block. In writing, every syllable must have at least one consonant and one vocal. Consonants cannot be written alone. Likewise, vowels cannot stand alone. Therefore, when a syllable has no consonant in the initial position. ZERO 'ㅇ' is writen to hold the empty consonant position. A consonant is also allowed in the final consonant.
Example:
모음 1 - Vowel 1
The Korean Alphabet has 21 vowels in total. There are vertical vowels (ㅣ, ㅏ, ㅓ, ㅑ, ㅕ) and horizontal vowels (ㅡ, ㅗ, ㅜ, ㅛ, ㅠ).
Vowel Pronounciation
Are you ready to learn vowels sounds now? First, you need to find a mirror. Listen to the vowels and try to make the shapes you see in the pictures on the next to page with your mouth while looking in the mirror. We'll practice vertical vowels first and horizontal vowels next.
The vowels [+] is not found in English. However, it is the similar to the Pronounciation of the vowel 'u' in 'put', without rounding the lips.
Vowels are divided into two categories according to their sound values - singel vowels and diphthongs. The vowels in the shaded boxes are diphthongs, and those in the non-shaded are singel vowels. A diphthong has a sound value that combines a glide and a singel vowel.
Are you ready to practice again?!
(1) Try saying 'ㅏ'. Now say 'ㅓ'. How does your mouth shape change for each? Try saying 'ㅏ' with your mouth open width, and 'ㅓ' with your mouth closed a little. Now say 'ㅏ' and 'ㅓ' several times while paying attention to the shape of your mouth.
(2) Try saying 'ㅜ'. Now say 'ㅗ'. How the mouth shape different? . When you say 'ㅜ', round your lips and push your tongue forwards, but when you say 'ㅗ', keep your lips rounded while opening them a little. Say 'ㅜ' and 'ㅗ' several times while paying attention to shape your mouth.
(3) Try saying 'ㅡ' and 'ㅣ'. How is the mouth shape for 'ㅡ' different from 'ㅣ'? Your tongue muves farther forward when you say 'ㅣ' than when you say 'ㅡ', round your lips, or open your mouth very much. Just say it with your mouth open enough to let air come out in a relaxed position. Say 'ㅣ' and 'ㅡ' several times while paying attention to the shape of your mouth.
Are you ready to practice diphthongs now? The vertical vowels 'ㅑ,ㅕ', which both have short horizontal strokes, and the horizontal vowels 'ㅛ, ㅠ', which both have short vertical strokes, are all diphthongs.
(1) Try saying 'ㅑ'. Now saying 'ㅕ'. The diphthongs 'ㅑ' is made up of the glide 'ㅣ' and the single vowel 'ㅏ', and the diphthong 'ㅕ' is Made up of the glide 'ㅣ' and the single vowel 'ㅓ'. When you say 'ㅑ', the 'ㅣ' is short and the 'ㅏ' is long, and when you say 'ㅕ', the 'ㅣ' is short and the 'ㅓ' is long. Don't say the two vowel sounds for the same length or pronounce them as two separate vowels.
(2) The diphthong 'ㅛ' is made up of the glide 'ㅣ' and single vowel ' ㅗ', and the diphthong 'ㅛ' is made up of the glide 'ㅣ' and the single vowel 'ㅜ'. Try saying 'ㅛ'. Now say 'ㅠ'. When you say 'ㅛ', the 'ㅣ' is short and the 'ㅗ' is long, and when you say 'ㅠ', the 'ㅣ' is short and the 'ㅜ' is long. You shouldn't say the two vowel sounds the same length or pronounce them as two separate vowels.
Vowel Writing
So then, how vowels writen? When writing a vertical stroke, start at the top and go down, and when writing a horizontal stroke, start at the left and go right.
Well then, are you ready to write? When writing a vertical vowels in the form of a "standing person", make the vertical stroke long and the horizontal stroke(s) short. When writing a horizontal vowel in the form of the "flat earth", make the horizontal stroke long and the vertical stroke(s) short.
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