Explanation 1 · Principles of Creation

The origin of initial sound shapes

    The sounds of speech
    originate from the throat, tongue, lips, teeth,
    and the back of the mouth,
    and it is from these places
    that the seventeen initial sounds were derived.

    The molar (velar) sounds ㄱ ㅋ ㄲ ㆁ(G K KK [ŋ])
    were modeled after the shape
    of the tongue root blocking the throat.
    However, although ㆁ resembles ㅇ in shape,
    it conveys a different meaning.


    The tongue sounds ㄷ ㅌ ㄸ ㄴ(D T TT N)
    were designed based on the shape
    of the tongue touching the upper gums.


    The lip sounds ㅂ ㅍ ㅃ ㅁ(B P PP M)
    imitate the actual shape of the lips.


    The dental sounds ㅈ ㅊ ㅉ ㅅ ㅆ(J Ch JJ S SS)
    and the glottal sounds ㆆ ㅎ ㆅ ㅇ([ʔ] H [x] ◌)
    also follow the shapes of the teeth and throat, respectively.


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