The reason why Hanja remained the mainstream writing system even after the creation of Hangul is that it had long been central to education, administration, and scholarship, and served as a means of international communication.
However, as time passed, the spread of Hangul expanded and folk literature developed, leading Hangul literature to become mainstream.
King Sejong's Hangul policy, the convenience of Hangul, and the strengthening of national identity also played an important role in the rise of Hangul literature.
Even after the creation of Hangul, works written in Hanja (Chinese characters) remained mainstream for a while. What were the reasons for this, and what led to Hangul literature eventually becoming the dominant form? Please describe this.
Ⅰ. Introduction
The scientific and superior nature of Hangul has only recently begun to be recognized in the West. Initially, Hangul was difficult for Western scholars to understand. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, there were mentions among scholars studying linguistics about which writing system Hangul belonged to, but they were mainly interested in resolving the question of Hangul's lineage. Therefore, there was little interest in the originality and scientific nature of Hangul.
However, starting in the 1960s, Western scholars' interest in Hangul began to increase. Professors Fairbank (J.K. Fairbank) and Reischauer (E.O. Reischauer) of Harvard University did not hesitate to praise Hangul in their textbooks as perhaps the most scientific system among all writing systems used today.
However, for a considerable time after its creation, Hanja literature remained the mainstream. We aim to explore the reasons for this and the subsequent factors that led to Hangul literature becoming the dominant form.
Ⅱ. Main Body
Classification of Korean Literature
① Classical Literature
Refers to the literature of the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, predominantly Hanja literature. Many works were created by the yangban (noble) class and mainly consisted of poetry, gasa (lyric poems), folk songs, prose narratives, and novels. Representative authors from this period include Yi Hwang, Shin Chaeho, and Yun Kwan.
② Modern Literature
Refers to literature from the period after the Japanese colonial era, primarily using Hangul. Modern themes and styles were introduced. Individualism was emphasized, and works criticizing or reforming social issues emerged. Representative authors include Yi Hyo-seok, Park Keun-hye, Kim Dong-in, and Hwang Sun-won.
③ Contemporary Literature
Refers to literature from the 1980s onward, encompassing a wide range of genres and themes. It is characterized by experimentation and a spirit of challenge, unbound by traditional forms. Kim Young-ha, Jeong Se-rang, Han Kang, and Shin Kyung-sook are considered representative authors of contemporary Korean literature.
④ Children's Literature
Refers to literary works for children. It includes not only educational tales and stories but also works of various genres that stimulate children's imagination. Kim Su-yeong, Park Bo-yeong, and Lee Sang-hoon are well-known authors of children's literature.
2. The Concept and Characteristics of Hanja Literature
① Concept and Period: Hanja literature encompasses the literature of our ancestors written in Hanja (Chinese characters) from around the 2nd century BCE to the late Joseon dynasty. It refers to literature written in Hanja, not Hangul, and primarily flourished in ancient and medieval times.
② Scope of Works: The scope of Hanja literature includes legends, Chinese poetry (Hansi), historical records (Phaegwan munhak), prose fiction (Gajeonche), Hanja novels, Hanja criticism, and Hanja essays. These works were used to express our unique thoughts and emotions.
③ Scholarly Literature: Hanja literature traditionally consisted mainly of works created by scholars, centering on the creation of Chinese poetry and the study of Neo-Confucianism, as well as the parallel prose (Byeonryeomun) of the Goryeo dynasty.
④ Relationship with Hangul Literature: It forms a part of Korean literature alongside Hangul literature, constituting a significant aspect of our culture and aiding in understanding the characteristics and history of literature written in Hanja.
⑤ Role of Hanja Literature: Hanja literature, using Hanja and its formalized language and expressions, reflects Korean history and culture, playing a crucial role in understanding the times and social contexts.
3. The Historical Context and the Creation of Hangul
During the Goryeo dynasty, Hanja (Chinese characters) was predominantly used, making it difficult for ordinary people to read and write. This hindered the equitable dissemination of knowledge, with only the aristocratic and scholarly classes benefiting from education. Against this backdrop, Hangul was proposed as a writing system easily learned, unlike the complex Hanja.
In 1392, with the establishment of the Joseon dynasty, Hangul was created in Seoul (then known as Hanyang). King Sejong devoted efforts to creating a writing system easily accessible to the populace, leading to the promulgation of Hunminjeongeum (The Correct Sounds for the Instruction of the People) in 1443.
The creation of Hangul played a significant role in solving Korea's illiteracy problem and promoting the spread of education and knowledge. Hangul is also a crucial element in shaping Korean culture and identity, significantly impacting national language education, literary development, and the advancement of printing technology. Thus, the creation of Hangul is regarded as a pivotal event that brought about revolutionary changes in Korean society and culture.
4. The Impact of Hangul's Creation on Literature
The creation of Hangul reduced barriers for the common people in accessing information and expressing their thoughts, thanks to its scientific and efficient structure. This led to significant advancements in folk culture and scholarship, bringing substantial changes to the social structure and daily lives of people during the Joseon dynasty. The spread of Hangul also significantly contributed to the people's improved understanding of society.
Furthermore, the creation of Hangul boosted the self-esteem of the common people regarding their language and culture. By moving away from dependence on Hanja and using a unique script for the Korean people, national pride in their culture was fostered. This change also positively influenced the increased participation of the common people in society.
5. Even after the creation of Hangul, Hanja works remained mainstream for a while. Why was this?
① Tradition and Education: Even after the creation of Hangul, Hanja played a central role in education, culture, politics, and scholarship from the Goryeo to the Joseon dynasties. Scholars acquired classical knowledge and scholarship through Hanja, wrote political documents, and engaged in cultural activities.
② Hanja's Historical Status: Hanja, as a common writing system in China and East Asia, meant that works written in Hanja gained international recognition. During the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, it was used to record important political, cultural, and academic materials.
③ Hangul's Dissemination and Changes: Even after its creation, Hangul gradually spread among the populace. However, initially, it was mainly used for spoken language, while official documents and scholarly works continued to be written in Hanja. This was due to the time required for Hangul's development and dissemination.
④ Concurrent Use of Hangul and Hanja: Hangul and Hanja were used complementarily. Hangul was used for everyday documents and among the common people, while Hanja was used for official documents and scholarly works.
In conclusion, even after the creation of Hangul, Hanja remained an important part of Korean culture and scholarship, contributing to the diversity of our literature.
6. The Factors Leading to Hangul Literature's Subsequent Dominance
① Hangul's Dissemination and Changes: Following its creation, Hangul gradually spread among the common people. While initially used mainly for spoken language, with official documents and scholarly works still in Hanja, over time, Hangul developed and became more widespread. Its concise and efficient structure provided convenience to the people, contributing to the development of Hangul literature.
② Rise of Folk Literature: The wider use of Hangul among the common people fostered the development of folk literature. The people gained the freedom to read and write in their own language, greatly contributing to the advancement of Hangul literature.
③ King Sejong's Policies: King Sejong implemented various policies to promote the dissemination and development of Hangul. He promoted the use of Hangul in education, culture, and political activities, significantly contributing to the development of Hangul literature.
④ Strengthening of Korean Identity: Hangul, as the unique script of the Korean people, fostered a strengthened sense of national identity and pride. This positively impacted the development of Hangul literature.