E305/505
Korean Language and Culture
Some historical, political and
social background:
- How did Korean nationalism come
about? What were the historical background of it?
- Robinson quotes J. S. Colemen
in characterizing the Korean nationalism in the earlier stage (up to 1919)
as "traditional nationalism." What does it mean? Is there another
kind of nationalism?
- 1919 is a significant year for
Korea for its political, social, and cultural turn-around. What happened in
1919?
- After the March First Movement
in 1919, two different approaches to Korean nationalism emerged. What are
they and how are they different?
Han'gul movement by Ch'oe Hyon-bae
Ch'oe Hyon-bae (1894-1970), a great
Korean grammarian and linguist, led a movement of using 100% of Han'gul. His
motivation and drive of Han'gul movement is a clear example that shows how great
the impact of a language and language use is on a culture and life of its users.
He sees it as life or death matter for his nation, the 'motor force of culture.'
- How does Ch'oe see the value of
Han'gul?
- Ch'oe was very hostile to the
tradition of reverence in Korea to Chinese
writing. What did the use of Chinese writing in traditional Korean society
symbolize to this linguistic reformer?
- In Ch'oe's mind, what was the
connection between the written word and
national strength?
- Why in Ch'oe's mind did the use
of Han'gul represent a democratic force in
Korean cultural development?