The Power of Sound: Rethinking the Invention of the Korean Vernacular Script

Abstract

Scholars have long debated the original motivations behind the invention of the Korean vernacular script, emphasizing both vernacular and phonological functions. However, less attention has been given to its role in regulating oral and aural engagement with the written word, a feature that profoundly influenced both individual and societal interaction with texts. This article investigates how the new script facilitated control over the auditory dimension of writing and explores the broader implications of this control for governance. By standardizing Sino-Korean readings and transcribing Chinese vernacular pronunciations, the script recognized the significance of accurate vocalization for reading Confucian classics and enhancing diplomatic communication with China. This ultimately legitimized Chosŏn as a Confucian state and a genuine member of the Ming imperial order. Moreover, the script had a crucial role in enabling the oral performance and auditory reception of court-sponsored glossed texts and literary works, thereby increasing the effectiveness of these texts in conveying court-approved political, ideological, and religious messages. Finally, challenging the prevailing view that the script primarily aimed to promote universal literacy, this article argues that its true purpose lay in facilitating oral delivery and auditory comprehension, thereby extending the reach and impact of written knowledge in Chosŏn society.