Korean News Today - Hangeul now used as writing system by Indonesian tribe

■ Korean News Today

Total Articles 72

Hangeul now used as writing system by Indonesian tribe

Views 45359 Votes 0 2009.08.21 18:24:53

admin http://www.koreaaward.com/kor/5599

Category :	Culture

The project of Hangeul (the Korean writing system) globalization has borne its first fruit, linguists in Seoul said recently.

The Hunminjeongeum Society, under the aegis of Seoul National University, said last week that an Indonesian minority tribe living in the city of Bau-Bau had adopted Hangeul as its official alphabet.

Although having its own language, the tribe did not have a proper alphabet to transcribe it. Upon learning the fact, the Hunminjeongeum Society visited the Indonesian city on the island of Buton, Southeast Sulawesi, and recommended the adoption of Hangeul as the tribe's writing system.

After the city accepted the suggestion, the two sides concluded an MOU in July 2008 to exchange cooperation for the adoption of Hangeul. On the basis of this, the Korean linguists produced and distributed exclusive textbooks for the ethnic tribe.

The textbook for elementary school students is composed of three parts - writing, speaking and reading - with all texts written in Hangeul, and it explains the minority tribe's language, culture and history. Also, about 140 high school students in the region started recently studying Korean language for eight hours a week.

The City of Bau-Bau further plans to establish a "Korean Center" in September and train Korean teachers there.

The Indonesian tribe's adoption of Hangeul as an orthography for their own language is great news for the Hunminjeongeum Society, because it had failed in similar previous efforts in Thailand and Nepal.

The Korean linguists are also thinking of ways to print books containing Indonesian history and folktales, in ways to promote Hangeul's excellence.

By James Ro
Korea.net Staff Writer

I want to

hangeul.jpg [File Size:54.3KB/Download:47]

Trackback :: http://www.koreaaward.com/kor/index.php?document_srl=5599&act=trackback&key=e5d

List

List of Articles

No.	Subject	Category	Date	Views
Stroll through Jeonju Hanok village and experience its elegance Category Travel Summer has almost passed in Korea, yet tourists still flow down to Jeolla-do (Jeolla Province) to spend their summer vacation time with family members in historic, scenic places surrounded by pristine, beautiful nature. For those who would like to introduce their friends or children to traditional Korean culture and have a tranquil... Aug 26, 2009 Views 43595
Celebrate Korean spicy chicken and buckwheat noodles in Chuncheon Category Travel The Chuncheon Makguksu and Dakgalbi Festival will run for six days from Aug. 26 to 31. Makguksu, a Korean buckwheat noodle and dakgalbi, a Korean style chicken dish, are two typical dishes of the Chuncheon area, highlighted through this annual festival each summer. The festival will have a main performance stage, exhibitions, and free foo... Aug 26, 2009 Views 39916
Korea launches its first space rocket Category National Korea's Space Launch Vehicle-1 (KSLV-1) rocket, or Naro, blasts off the ground on Tuesday (Aug. 25). (Photo: Yonhap News) Korea's first space rocket Naro, or KSLV-1 (Korea's Space Launch Vehicle-1), was launched into orbit on Tuesday (Aug. 25). About 215 seconds after lift-off, the payoff fairing separated from the rocket. Then f... Aug 25, 2009 Views 41036
President Lee meets N. Korea's special envoys Category National President Lee Myung-bak (right) and North Korea's chief envoy Kim Ki-nam at Cheong Wa Dae on Sunday (Aug. 23) South Korean President Lee Myung-bak met a high-level North Korean delegation at Cheong Wa Dae, early Sunday (Aug. 23), presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said. The North Korean envoys crossed the inter-Korean border ... Aug 24, 2009 Views 39328
Significance of Kim Dae-jung's Funeral at the National Assembly Category National Mourners flowed in and out all day at the outdoor ceremonial funeral stage set up at the National Assembly for the late former Korean President Kim Dae-jung. Final preparations were being made on Saturday, one day before the scheduled state funeral, the first for a former president. The National Assembly had special meaning for ... Aug 23, 2009 Views 41037
Korea posts highest Q2 GDP growth among OECD members Category National The Korean economy recorded the highest level of GDP growth out of all OECD members in the second quarter, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance on Aug. 20 quoted the OECD report as saying. Korea's GDP in the period went up 2.3 percent from the previous quarter, which was the greatest increase among 29 OECD countries.... Aug 22, 2009 Views 43308
The gates and walls of Seoul Category Culture Dongdaemun today Okay, most people who have been in Seoul for more than a year know that Seoul was once a fortified city - meaning a city with a wall around it. This was to prevent the capital from attack by invaders but also to control who moved into and out of the city through its 4 large and 4 small gates. But how many ... Aug 22, 2009 Views 49305
Hangeul now used as writing system by Indonesian tribe Category Culture The project of Hangeul (the Korean writing system) globalization has borne its first fruit, linguists in Seoul said recently. The Hunminjeongeum Society, under the aegis of Seoul National University, said last week that an Indonesian minority tribe living in the city of Bau-Bau had adopted Hangeul as its official alphabet. Although h... Aug 21, 2009 Views 45359
Seoulites celebrate new Gwanghwamun Plaza Category Travel Gwanghwamun Plaza (Photo: Yonhap News) Since the official opening of the newly renovated Gwanghwamun Plaza, located in front of -- and named after -- the main gate of Gyeongbokgung (Gyeongbok Palace), on Aug. 1, more than one million people have visited it, according to Seoul Metropolitan Government on Aug. 9. More than 400,00... Aug 21, 2009 Views 40392
Intrepid six race around the world to promote Korean sovereignty Category People The members of Dokdo Racers (from left to right, clockwise): Han Sang-Yeop, Choi Ga-Youn, Bae Sung-Hwan, Yoon Ji-Young, Chunng Jin-Won, Lee Han-Nah Traveling always sounds exciting, and overseas travel is twice the fun. But for these six young Koreans, their trip has more meaning than just adventure and exploration. Unlike or... Aug 14, 2009 Views 40531

No.

Subject

Category

Date

Views