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Although the term of graphic shape may have only
one meaning in the case of other writing systems,
it practically has two meanings in the case of
Hangeul. It can refer to both the shape of a writing
unit and the shape of a graphic (=grapheme) unit.
This again means that the discussion of the graphic
shape can and must be made in two aspects in the
case of Hangeul. The shape of a grapheme is important,
and the shape of a writing unit with the combination
of graphemes is more important. It is needless
to say that the two facts must be divided in terminology.
But now, as even the division of two units are
not made, the terminological division is also
difficult to be made.
Now there appear many terms similar to ‘the graphic
shape’ in sense. They are ‘type style’, ‘typeface’,
‘font’, and ‘handwriting’, etc. It is difficult
to say that any of these terms is completely satisfactory.
At first the meaning of cha or k?lcha is clear,
let alone that of a type of cha to which another
word is added.7)
In this paper the author will
discuss the graphic shape with reference to the
‘principles of making graphemes’(制字原理) . The term
‘cha’(字) means the same graphic unit as ‘cha’
in the phrase 新制二十八字. Therefore, ‘k?lcha’ of the
compound word ‘k?lchakkol’(*a Korean word ‘kkol’
means a shape.) will be interpreted in this paper.
It follows that the twofold discussions on making
principles and the graphic shapes will be bound
to become one in their essence.
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7)
It is hopeful that the names of two units
are suggested, but the author has no good alternative
all for the time being. The task to prepare the
appropriate names is not merely a matter of two
new terms, but rather a basic skeleton of the
whole theory of Hangeul. Therefore, it should
be discussed systematically and comprehensively.
Please refer to the article of the author’s (1995).
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