LINGUIST List 3.927

Tue 24 Nov 1992

Disc: Hangul

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1. Gregory K. Iverson, Han'gul nal
2. David J Silva 315-443-5375, Hangul

In consideration of the recent discussion and inquiries on LINGUIST
about the status of Han'gulnal, or Korean Alphabet Day, I am posting
the following message on this matter sent to me by the president of
the International Circle of Korean Linguistics, Young-Key Kim-Renaud
of George Washington University:

 Date: Mon, 23 Nov 92 20:07:59 EDT
 From: Young-Key Kim-Renaud <KIMRENAUgwuvm.gwu.edu>
 Subject: Re: Han'gul nal

Dear Greg: It was nice to hear from you. I am glad that there is an even more
ambitious proposal than making Han-gul Day a national holiday. As you know, in
my capacity of the president of the International Circle of Korean Linguistics,
I proposed and obtained an enthusiastic support from those who attended our rec
ent 8th ICKL meeting last August at GWU for reestablishing the Korean Alphabet
Day as a national holiday. The proposal with signatures by all those who were
present at the meeting and some spectators was sent to the President of the
Republic of Korea in the month of September, but so far we have not received a
response. Given the transitory status of the current president, I am highly
skeptical that the issue would even be discussed. I kept a copy of all the
signatures and I will send it to the new president who will be elected in Dec.
In the meantime, I would welcome any more letters and signatures of support for
this proposal which I will attach to my next correspondence to the Korean head
of state. Thanks again for all your interest and support. Best regards, YK.

My experience with Korean (both active and passive) tells me that
"Hangul" is pronounced with an unrounded high central vowel (barred "i")
in the place of the orthographic _u_. All else is unmarked. As for Mr.
Lim's comment about Hangul Day being pronounce "han-gul-nal", I'd say
that "han-gul-lal" might also be a pronunciation, thanks to a regular
rule of lateralization. "han-gul-nal" would be a more accurate
representation of the underlying form.
--David J. Silva (djsilvasuvm), Syracuse University