"훈민정음" ‘정인지 서문’의 표준 번역을 위한 시안

Abstract

This paper seeks to understand the contextual meaning of the colophon written by Jeong In-ji appended to the Huminjeongeum Haerye edition and to present a draft proposal for a standard translation of the colophon on the basis of such an understanding. For this, the genealogy of the existing 34 kinds translation says, compared with 33 kinds of the Bible in translation is presented. The Jeong In-ji colophon shows, in order, the motive for and background and objectives of the invention of the Huminjeongeum, its excellence and utility, and the motive for writing the explanatory treatise (Haerye), and also provides supplementary bibliographical information. Viewed from a microscopic perspective, the creation of the Hunminjeongeum sprang from a desire to create a universal alphabet that naturally expressed the sounds of nature and from the idea of Samjae (the three principle elements) – heaven, earth, and human beings – that makes the creation of such an alphabet possible. The background of the invention as explained from a microscopic perspective includes the differences between China and Joseon in language and culture, the specificity of the Korean language, the problems associated with communicating using Chinese characters, and the limitations of Idu script. Ecological, philosophical, and scientific considerations, as well as excellence, are mentioned as characteristics and valuable attributes of the Huminjeongeum. As the motive for or mental attitude involved in writing the Huminjeongeum Haerye edition, scholars cite the upholding of the intentions of King Sejong, the inventor, the necessity of explaining the 28 letters, and the eulogy for King Sejong, and their[his] humility. This paper puts forth a draft proposal for standard translation in which a sentence-by-sentence examination is performed on the basis of such a contextual understanding.