TRANSFORMATION PROCESS OF LETTER FORM IN HANGUL
Characteristics of Hangul
- Strokes, constituting each letter, are the same width , without serifs at each other strokes
- Shapes of consonants are geometrically characterized by a circle, straight and oblique lines with no traits of curve
- A simple vowel can be distinguished by the additional of a round dot
- Consonants and vowels are put together to combine a letter
1446-1450
After 5 years of the institution and promulgation of Hangul, a book was compiled with the titles of Hunming Jongum. After that a few books was published in a wood type edition such as Sokposangjol(Buddha life) and Yongbiochonga( Song of Dragon Ascending in the Sky).
The letter forms in those books were almost the same with Hunming Jongum and similarly distinguishable from Chinese characters which is the same as Hangul. The differences between these book and Hungming Jongum was the round dots used in writing vowels in Hungming Jongum replaced by a stroke of short line. the purpose of the short line was to distinguish the round dots easily and easier in writing as well.
The letter forms in those books were almost the same with Hunming Jongum and similarly distinguishable from Chinese characters which is the same as Hangul. The differences between these book and Hungming Jongum was the round dots used in writing vowels in Hungming Jongum replaced by a stroke of short line. the purpose of the short line was to distinguish the round dots easily and easier in writing as well.
1450-1500
In this period, Hangul received severe persecution because of the political turmoil during the reign of Yonsan-gun. So, the letter form had changed. First ,the strokes in the letter outgrew the geometrical traits. Second, combining consonant and vowel to form a letter and proportion in size of consonant became lesser. The most prominent changes from the letter form was the assimilation made between Hangul and Chinese characters. While Hangul at that time of its promulgation were characteristically distinguishable from Chinese character which used along side of Hangul , the letter forms in this period were assimilated with the proportional size and characteristic stroke of Chinese character.
1500s
Hangul was finally fixed as the Korean script during 16th century. The scholars had used Hangul widely in term of poems and composing lyrics. This brings about the changes in the letter form as well such as Tohak-ka (Taoist Songs) and Samiin-gok (Verses Longing For the King).
1600s
During this period ,the invasion of Japanese in the year of Imjin(1592) and Chongyu(1597) brought big changes where folk literature rose up and Hangul came to be used widely among grassroots people. Example of literature written in Hangul in this period are Nogye-chip ( Collection of Nogye's Work) and Kuunmong( A Nine Cloud Dream). Other than that, Hangul is also widely used in the court and palace but in a brushwork style (calligraphy) instead of wooden block printing.
1700s
It was the Yong Chong's Era, where the period of scholarly studies when Hangul spread out to the people to use it widely. In this period , the scholarly pursuit of pragmatic knowledge of economy and culture were widely spread. The Hangul literature works such as poem and novel were widely read not only by aristocratic class but among general people too. The brushwork style of Hangul writing was used more widely in this period.
1800s
The first half of nineteenth century can be termed as the dawn period for the renewed progress in Hangul. The latter half century around the Kabo Reformation (1894), Western civilization had influenced the Korean. The nation awakened to the call and many writing activities were promoted so that Hangul could be used widely in education and publication fields. Thereafter,Pangmunguk(office of publication ) was established. Other than that, the letter forms were well balanced in proportional styles after 1800s which was much similar to the Myongjo type of Hangul of today. The letter forms in the wooden block were much more refined than those during the 1700s. Hence , the most striking trait in letter form of this period can be distinguished was the size of consonant letter especially the closing consonant letter.
1900-1945
This period was a dark age after the propagation and progress of Hangul severly curtailed by Japanese rule. On the late 1800s, many publication and bible in Hangul were propagated. Used Hangul and the Korean spoken language had forbade by Japanese authorities in 1938 and most publication in Hangul dissappeared as well. So during this period no development or progress was made in letter forms of Hangul in this period.
After 1945
After the nation's liberation from Japanese rule in 1945, development in refining of Hangul letter forms had began. After the Korean War, Hangul was increasing rapidly in publication which brought to a great demand for a new type of letter form. Pak Chong Nae was the person who refined the letter form of Hangul. Letter forms created by him are constituted as the basic form of letters which is still widely used in our current generation. Myongjo and Gothic types are most widely used letter form.
Myongjo type is the most readable and it is used for printing of the text(body) whereas the Gothic type is usually used to print the title. Below is an example of Myongjo and Gothic types.
Myongjo type is the most readable and it is used for printing of the text(body) whereas the Gothic type is usually used to print the title. Below is an example of Myongjo and Gothic types.
reference:
1.Wong, Huh, and Kim Chin-u. Korean Language. Korean and United State: Si-sa-yong-o-sa, Inc, 1983.
1.Wong, Huh, and Kim Chin-u. Korean Language. Korean and United State: Si-sa-yong-o-sa, Inc, 1983.