『대한매일신보』의 이중판본 정책과 근대어 형성―계몽가사(歌辭)를 중심으로

Abstract

Korea Daily News carried out modernization of Korean language passionately. The following policies and assertions represent this. First, breakaway from Chinese letters and dissolution, and assertion of Korean letter – centeredness and its experiment. Second, establishment of ideology and notion of Korean language in order to establish Korean language as the national language. Third, duplicated letters policy that published both Korean – Chinese – letter xylographic ― book and Korean – letter xylographic – book. The ultimate goals of this language effort were civilization and independence of korea; more concretely, the formation of the ‘nation’, nation – state. With the foregoing as a premise, the paper, by focusing on ‘Kasa for enlightenment,’ explored similarities and differences, competitions and cooperation, and degree of modernization between Korean – Chinese – letter and Korean – letter in the Korea Daily News. First, the paper zeroed on the evolution and changes of Korean – Chinese – letter and Korean – letter. From time to time, regressions could be observed from the Korean – Chinese – letter. It can be interpreted as one that stems from newspaper’s consideration for the readers who were more acquainted to language conventions and Chinese letter education during those times. However, the original form of this literary style can be the unexpected product of enlightenment ideologists’ desire to effectively communicate the crisis of the time and the importance of having an independent civilization. Second, the paper looked into ‘modernization of context in Chinese letters’ ― a very important aspect in modernization of korea ― through translation of modern Chinese letters and expropriation published in Japan, in particular. In Kasa for enlightenment, expropriations of modern Chinese letters relating to material civilization and everyday life were apparent. However, translated words relating to modern ideologies, concepts, and knowledge were almost nonexistent. This may be due to the trait of ‘Kasa for enlightenment’ which concentrated on the criticism of crisis of the time and superficial civilization above anything. But, we cannot simply ignore the affects of ideology of Korea Daily News that put Dong – Do – Seo – Gi(東道西器) as the single most important principle in civilization. Lastly, the paper explored ‘Kasa for enlightenment’ in the reader – contribution site, a unique innovation of the modern media. Here, Korea Daily News readers’ command of Korean – Chinese – letter and Korean – letter, their grasp of reality then, and their recognition of ethnic language were clearly seen. Not to mention, the readers’ recognition and writing showed huge difference from that of the editors of Korea Daily News. However, we should also take note that there were no better ways than to bring about enlightenment on justifiability and necessity of ethnic language through readers participation.