Appendix · Additional Notes

Additional Explanation


    1. ㅇ and ㆁ

    In Hunminjeongeum, the initial consonant ㅇ is described as
    having a phonetic value similar to [ɦ]. In practice, however,
    it is almost devoiced, leaving only the breath sound, which
    resembles [ɦ̥], or is completely silent, represented as [∅] or
    [◌]. Therefore, in the translation, the pronunciation of the
    initial consonant ㅇ in Hunminjeongeum is represented as
    [◌] to visually express its meaning and presence.
    In Hunminjeongeum, when ㅇ is used as a final consonant, it
    is silent [∅], while ㆁ as a final consonant is pronounced as
    [ŋ].
    Starting from the 17th century, ㅇ replaced ㆁ, becoming
    [◌] in the initial position and [ŋ] in the final position, just
    as it is pronounced in current Hangul.
    In current Hangul, the initial consonant ㅇ is the most
    fundamental letter that marks the beginning of Hangul
    consonants. Despite its presence as an independent letter, it
    has no phonetic value, making it a uniquely special
    character. Interestingly, it does not even have an official
    representation in the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet)


    Appendix - Additional explanation                                283