From: evensens@yvax.byu.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.korean
Subject: Re: To: Scott Evensen (McCune-Reischauer)
Date: 6 Apr 92 07:19:23 GMT
Article-I.D.: yvax.1992Apr6.001924.462
Organization: Brigham Young University


>       Dear Scott Evensen,
>
>       In the message about hangul (message number 5192), you
>       said "if everyone who posted would use 'McCune-Reischauer system'
>       it would be nice". Could you say more about McCune-Reischauer
>       system ? I am interested in the system.
>
>       Thanks to both of you in advance.
>
>       jung, jinki (jung@unixg.ubc.ca)

I wish that I could post a chart here for all to see but, posting Han'gu<l on
the net is nigh impossible. So, I will just write a few things about the
McCune-Reischauer system. The following information comes from a pamphlet
describing the system.

The problem with romanization is that no system is perfect, but for the sake of
the non-specialist for whom we must write at times, it is essential that Korean
words be romanized. The romanization system for Japanese is clear and
relatively simple. The system (or two systems) for Chinese has some problems,
but the necessity of adopting a system is clear given the difficulty of using
Chinese characters. In the case of Korean, although han'g<ul is extremely
simple, still, there must be a systematic way of writing Korean names and
concepts in a script that readers of English can understand.

The system of romanization, therefore, must be systematic, that is to say, that
in a given situation or linguistic environment, one must consistently apply the
same rules each time. An inconsistent system is no system at all and such an
approach conveys the impression that the writer cannot spell or is poorly
educated.

The only accepted system for romanization is what was originally called the
McCune-Reischauer system. For a time, from the mid-70's until 1984, a system
called the Ministry of Education (MOE) system was used, and although simple to
use, it yielded unfortunate looking spellings that led to its abandoment>
Examples of MOE spellings are BUSAN (for Pusan), DAEGU (for Taegu),
BAG (for Pak), GANGREUNG (for Kangnu<ng) (that is one of my favorites :).

I will post some words written in the McCune-Reischauer system. Hopefully you
will be able to pick up which letters to use for which situation. If any of you
would like a copy of the charts to use you should be able to get them at your
school library. If not let me know and I would be happy to send a copy of the
pamphlet to you. The examples follow:
Kim
Pak
Hakkyo
Tokto
Paekche
Taegu
Taejo<n
Cheju
pabo
ch'aegim
tambae
Chinju
Kwangju
ilgi
kalbi
kiltong
ulchi
shimni
so<ngni

Using the < is not exactly accurate, but inorder to post I have just used what
Scott Horne used, it seemed the easiest. The u and the o, for as I call it the
gut-slash u and the side-stick o, need to have a brev placed above them.
Unfortunately, I have never found a font for the Mac that will allow me to do
this. Therefore, it is acceptable to put two dots about the letters.
That's about all I have to say on this. If there are any questions I'll do my
best to answer them.
Thanks,
Scott
EVENSENS@YVAX.BYU.EDU
Newsgroups: soc.culture.korean