Language Introduction

This introduction provides readers with important contextual understanding of the five chapters on the Korean language that follow. Although the origins of the Korean language have sparked considerable interest, they are shrouded in mystery. The Korean language is characterised by several features, including phonetic symbolism, a complex honorific system, and styles of speech reflecting the deep historical stratification of society and significant lexical influence from regional cultures, such as China and Japan. Koreans have an alphabet – Hangul – of which they are fiercely proud. The development of the alphabet occurred during a period when other states in Central and East Asia were also developing their vernacular characters.