Explanation 5 · Three-Sound Harmony

5. Explanation of three sounds combination


          Formation of syllables

          A syllable is formed by combining the initial consonant , the
          medial vowel, and the final consonant .


          Placement of medial vowels

          The initial consonant is written above or to the left of the
          medial vowel. For example, in the word 군 Gun,, the
          consonant ㄱ(G) is placed above the vowel ㅜ (u).
          Similarly, in         [ŋəp], the consonant ㆁ is positioned to the
          left of ㅓ(eo)[ə].
          Medial vowels that are round (ㆍ) or horizontal (ㅡ) are
          placed below the initial consonant . This applies to ㆍ ㅡ
          ㅗ ㅛ ㅜ ㅠ ([ʌ] eu o yo u yu), as they represent the
          principles of Heaven and Earth. ㆍ is a Heaven vowel. ㅡ
          ㅗ ㅛ ㅜ ㅠ are earth vowels. On the other hand, vertical
          vowels (ㅣ ㅏ ㅓ ㅕ) (i a eo yeo), Human vowels, are
          written to the right of the initial consonant, symbolizing the
          connection between Heaven and Human interaction.
          For example, in the word             [tʰʌn], the vowel ㆍ is



          Explanation of three sound harmony                             209




                          ᄐᆞᆫ
    ᅌᅥᆸ