게일의 『韓英字典』의 편찬과 외국 사전 및 조선인과의 관계, 텍스트의 위상에 관하여

Abstract

This article investigates the compilation process of the Korean-English Dictionary (1897), selection of dictionary contents, the role of the Koreans who participated in the compilation, and the use of dictionaries in relation to the format and linguistic aspects of dictionary compilation materials compiled by Gale with the help of Koreans. This dictionary faithfully refers to the achievements of French priests, including the Korean-French Dictionary (1880), collects vocabulary materials from other traditional records, and refers to Japanese and Chinese dictionaries. Among the dictionaries compiled in Japan, it seems to refer to Brinkley’s Japanese English Dictionary published in October 1896. Among the dictionaries compiled in China, A Chinese-English Dictionary (1892) by Giles was referred to. Compilation of this dictionary was largely attributed to Yi Chang-jik, Gale’s teacher of the Korean language, Chinese characters, and Chinese classics, as well as a comrade and helper of missionary travel. Gale traveled all over Joseon and Manchuria with Yi Chang-jik, and with his help, he grasped the spoken Joseon language and sought a way of providing a single meaning of words based on the Hanyang (Seoul) dialect. As a result of these tasks, the Korean-English Dictionary was compiled. As can be seen in an article of Dongnipsinmun, this dictionary was considered useful for Joseon people’s learning of the Korean language in the late Joseon Dynasty, the English language, and Korean characters. In fact, it was used as a standard for compiling Yumongcheonja, the textbook used in Gyeongsin School.