Thanks to Hangul, created by King Sejong of Joseon in 1443, we enjoy many benefits. We live in an era where we no longer need to study Chinese characters, and just as we anticipated the digital age centuries later, we applied scientific principles to “phonetic characters” to make it easy for anyone to learn and use Hangul.
In fact, when comparing typing speeds between Korean, Chinese, and Japanese characters, typing speed using Hangul in Korea is several times faster and more accurate. Typing Chinese characters on a keyboard goes without saying, but even compared to typing Japanese characters on a keyboard, typing Hangul can achieve speeds over three times faster.
“Hangul: A Script That Safeguards a Nation Without Characters”
Hangul is a script used in Korea, but it’s also being exported abroad. With “K-content” now sweeping the world, people around the globe naturally encounter Hangul. Beyond personal encounters with Hangul, there are also cases where Hangul is promoted to peoples without a script to provide them with “characters.”
One notable example is the spread of Hangul to the Ji-aji-a tribe, with the first Korean teacher to spread Hangul to the Ji-aji-a village, Jeong Deok-yeong, even publishing a book based on this experience.
“Jeong Deok-yeong: Hangul School in Ji-aji-a Village”
The book contains various episodes experienced by Jeong Deok-yeong as he taught Hangul to the Ji-aji-a tribe.
Interestingly, Jeong Deok-yeong did not major in education at university. He majored in trade and worked for a pharmaceutical company before winning the KBS Han-geul Contest in 2006. Afterward, he abruptly quit his job and started teaching Korean to immigrant spouses.
Then, in 2009, he was selected as a Hangul teacher for the Ji-aji-a tribe, forming a bond with them as their Hangul teacher.
Exporting “Hangul” to foreign ethnic groups is quite attractive. It’s exporting the script used in our country, so it’s like how other countries adopt the alphabet as their script; Korea’s Hangul begins to take on such a position. Of course, it’s regrettable that there haven’t been successive cases of adopting Hangul after the Ji-aji-a tribe…
“No, No” Meaning of Ji-aji-a
The name “Ji-aji-a” is a name given strictly from the perspective of foreigners. When Dutch soldiers first encountered the Ji-aji-a tribe, the word they heard the Ji-aji-a people say was “Ji-aji-a,” so they were named “Ji-aji-a.”
“Ji” means “no” and signifies denial. When Dutch soldiers asked them something, they got scared and answered, “No, no,” which led to the name being derived from this situation.
The book vividly captures Jeong Deok-yeong’s experiences as a Hangul teacher. It also introduces unique Indonesian customs and the walking paths where he cooled his head during walks. Instead of just using words, the book uses actual photos to convey the atmosphere.
“Unique Greetings in Indonesia”
In Indonesia, they clearly distinguish between the tasks of the right and left hands. The right hand is used for good things or eating, while the left hand is used for dirty tasks. It’s used for purposes such as throwing away trash or performing post-bathroom hygiene.
Unique Indonesian greetings are also introduced. In Indonesian greetings, they shake hands with the right hand and then place the hand they shook on their left chest. This signifies that they will remember you forever.
“Schoppenhauer: Teachers Sculpt Souls”
German educator Schoppenhauer said, “Teachers sculpt souls.” Education occupies such an important part. A good teacher creates good students and shapes the future.
Through the book, I indirectly experienced Jeong Deok-yeong’s passion and felt that he was remarkable for presenting Hangul as a gift to the Ji-aji-a tribe, a minority in Indonesia, while also presenting a progressive and hopeful future.
Having passion and dealing with others is a great thing. Because it requires sacrificing oneself. Perhaps the students of the Ji-aji-a tribe could also feel his “passion” enough.
As the second wave of Hallyu is rising, I end the text with pride in “Hangul,” a scientific script system.
“Hangul School in Ji-aji-a Village”
- Author: Jeong Deok-yeong
- Publication Date: October 1, 2011
- ISBN13: 9788974834913
- Yes24: http://app.ac/DACGAX513