Magnetic Resonance Convergence Study on Explanation of the Designs of the Four Primary Vowel Letters and Four Secondary Vowel Letters of the Hunminjeongeum Middle Vowel Letters
10.22469/jkslp.2026.37.1.19
- Author:
Hong-Shik CHOI
1
;
Jeong Min LEE
;
Jinna KIM
;
Ho-Young LEE
;
Yunseok KANG
;
Seungsu LEE
;
Seul-ong KIM
Author Information
1. King Sejong the Great Memorial Society, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology Phoniatrics and Logopedics
2026;37(1):19-32
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
This study is a convergence study that empirically verifies the principles of the Hunminjeongeum Joongsung-Ja (中聲字, vowel) system, especially the principles of the pictorial patterns of the initial and re-involved characters, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). According to the principle stated in the Jejahae (制字解) of the Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon—that “the 28 characters of Jeongeum were each modeled after their shapes”—this study aimed to prove that all characters were devised to reflect the shape of the vocal tract when pronounced. Four participants, including both younger and older adults including both sexes were enrolled in this study, and real-time MRI scans and acoustic analysis were conducted. In the analysis of the Cho-Chul-Ja (初出字, /ㅗ, ㅏ, ㅜ, ㅓ/), clear differences were observed in the structure of the vocal tract and the shape of the resonance cavity according to the vowels, and the degree of lip opening and the length of the vocal tract showed a close relationship with the acoustic characteristics of each vowel. In the Jae-Chul-Ja (再出字, /ㅛ, ㅑ, ㅠ, ㅕ/), changes in the shape of the resonance cavity were observed along with changes in tongue movement and lip opening during diphthong utterances, and it was confirmed that this is directly related to acoustic characteristics. The results of this study confirmed that the principle of the Hunminjeongeum Joongsung-Ja (中聲字, vowel) is closely related to the form of resonance cavity in the actual articulation process. It was confirmed that it was created by the synthesis (Hapsung, 合成) of the three letters “Cheon-ji-in (天地人, /•, ㅡ, ㅣ/)”, and it was also confirmed that the pictorial principles of the first and second versions are based on the shape and movement of the resonance tube. It is significant in that it re-examines the scientific sophistication of the vowel system devised during the creation of Hunminjeongeum in the 15th century with modern technology. This shows that Hunminjeongeum is not just a philosophical symbol, but a writing system that reflects the anatomical structure and physiological movements of actual speech organs.
