Overview
This lecture explains the structure, writing, and typing of the Korean alphabet (Hangul), comparing it to the English QWERTY keyboard and addressing how Korean characters are formed and used.
Korean Keyboard Layout
- The Korean (Hangul) keyboard is based on the QWERTY design, replacing English letters with Korean consonants and vowels.
- Consonants are placed on the left half and vowels on the right half of the keyboard.
- Korean has 24 letters: 14 consonants and 10 vowels.
Writing Korean Consonants
- Each consonant has a specific stroke order and direction.
- Some consonants (e.g., 기역, 니은) differ in appearance depending on placement (top/bottom) in a character.
- Some consonants have multiple accepted ways of being written, similar to certain English letters.
Writing Korean Vowels
- Vowels are categorized into horizontal and vertical types based on their long bar direction.
- Stroke order generally goes left-to-right and top-to-bottom.
- Some vowels are "double vowels," combining two basic vowels.
Korean Character Construction
- Each character is formed by combining at least one top consonant and one vowel (horizontal/vertical/both); up to two bottom consonants can be added.
- The correct writing (and typing) order: top consonant, vowel(s), bottom consonant(s).
- Double consonants ("쌍") and double vowels also exist.
Typing Korean
- Typing follows the same sequence as writing: top consonant, vowel, (bottom consonant).
- Double consonants and certain double vowels use the SHIFT key; others are typed by entering each component.
- The left hand types consonants, the right hand types vowels, leading to rhythmic hand alternation.
Efficiency and Statistics
- The Korean keyboard layout balances hand use more than QWERTY, yet left hand still types slightly more due to language structure.
- Korean allows creation of 11,172 possible characters, but only ~2,350 are used in daily life.
- Modern Korean is far simpler than Old Korean, which had many more letters and possible characters.
Key Terms & Definitions
- QWERTY Keyboard — Standard English keyboard layout.
- Hangul — The Korean alphabet.
- Consonant (자음) — Korean letter representing a consonant sound.
- Vowel (모음) — Korean letter representing a vowel sound.
- Double Consonant (쌍자음) — Two identical consonant letters combined.
- Double Vowel (이중모음) — Vowel formed by combining two basic vowels.
- Top Consonant — Initial consonant in a character.
- Bottom Consonant — Final consonant in a character.
- Stroke Order — Prescribed sequence for writing components of a letter.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice writing and typing each Korean consonant and vowel following stroke rules.
- Memorize the placement of Korean letters on the keyboard.
- Watch the recommended video on how to read Korean for deeper understanding.