hyangch’al
Quick Summary
The term "hyangch'al" refers to a historical Korean writing system that used Chinese characters to represent the spoken Korean language. This system emerged in the Silla kingdom and was particularly used for writing "hyangga," or native Korean songs.12
Before the invention of Hangul, the Korean alphabet, in the mid-15th century, Koreans primarily used Chinese characters for literary purposes. Systems like idu and hyangch'al were developed to transcribe Korean using these characters, allowing for the representation of Korean grammar and sounds. Despite the later invention of Hangul, much Korean literature continued to be written in Chinese even into the 20th century.32
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- Korean literature
…extended system of transcription, called hyangch’al, followed shortly thereafter, in which entire sentences in Korean could be written in Chinese. In another system, kugyŏl, abridged versions of Chinese characters were used to denote grammatical elements and were inserted into texts during transcription. Extant literary works indicate, however, that before the…
Read More…extended system of transcription, called hyangch’al, followed shortly thereafter, in which entire sentences in Korean could be written in Chinese. In another system, kugyŏl, abridged versions of Chinese characters were used to denote grammatical elements and were inserted into texts during transcription. Extant literary works indicate, however, that before the…
Read More - Korean literatureThe Three Kingdoms period and unification: 57 bce–935 ce
Most important, hyangch’al, a writing system that used Chinese characters to represent spoken Korean, originated in Silla, where hyangga (“native songs”; see above Poetry) also first appeared. Such developments reflect the fact that Silla led the other two kingdoms both artistically and politically (the latter demonstrated by…
Read MoreMost important, hyangch’al, a writing system that used Chinese characters to represent spoken Korean, originated in Silla, where hyangga (“native songs”; see above Poetry) also first appeared. Such developments reflect the fact that Silla led the other two kingdoms both artistically and politically (the latter demonstrated by…
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