The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Biz & Tech
  • Auto
  • IT
  • Game
  • Manufacturing
  • Retail & Food
  • Energy
  • Construction
  • Airlines
Finance
  • Policies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Banks
  • Non-banks
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Books
  • Travel & Cuisine
  • Trend
  • Fashion
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
  • Translation Award
Entertainment
  • K-pop
  • K-dramas & Shows
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Performances
  • Asia Model Festival
Sports
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Baseball
  • Other Sports
World
  • Asia Pacific
  • Americas
  • Europe & Africa
  • SCMP
Video
  • On the Spot
  • Feature
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
Community
  • The Korea Times
  • all menu
  • search
  • facebookfacebook
  • twittertwitter
  • youtubeyoutube
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • all menu
  • search
  • facebookfacebook
  • twittertwitter
  • youtubeyoutube
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Diplomacy
  • Defense
  • Labor & Environment
  • Law & Crime
  • Health & Welfare
  • Embassy
  • Seoul & Provinces
  • Education
  • Foreign Communities
  • Obituaries
  • Multicultural Youth Award
Thu, December 12, 2019 | 06:59
Korean alphabet authorized by Indonesian govt for Cia-Cia tribe
Posted : 2010-07-26 18:46
Updated : 2010-07-26 18:46
Park Si-soo
Mail
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Park Si-soo
Staff reporter

The Indonesian government has recognized the Korean alphabet as the official writing system of an illiterate Indonesian tribe, a Korean language research institute said Monday.

This is the first case of hangeul becoming an officially acknowledged tool for communications outside Korean territory.

The acknowledgement came nearly one year after the Hunminjeongeum Research Institute began promoting the alphabet or hangeul in Korean to the people, called “Cia-Cia” in August last year under the support of the city of Bau-Bau in Sulawesi, a major island of the Asian country.

Back then, the Cia-Cia tribe was at risk of losing its language as there were no tools available to hand it down to its descendants, researchers said.

Amirul Tamim, Bau-Bau mayor, said in a recent interview with Yonhap News that the central government has approved the use of Hangeul as the tribe’s official alphabet. The central government is mapping out plans to support its use, the mayor added.

The Indonesian government has been reluctant to accept it though reasons for the hesitation are unknown.

Many Korean experts say this approval will give an impetus in promoting the Korean alphabet to other small tribes there grappling with a lack of linguistic tools to hand down their legacies to younger generations.

But some critics are negative about the export of the Korean alphabet, arguing the affected people will see itself further isolated in language and culture from the rest of the country.

According to the institute, since July last year, dozens of children in the tribe have learned how to write, read, and pronounce the Korean alphabet based on a textbook provided by the institute.

Last December, some Cia-Cia children and the Bau-Bau mayor visited Seoul at the invitation of the Korean government.
Emailpss@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter








 
 
  • numberVoluntary departure: Re-entry to be allowed for illegal aliens who leave Korea by June
  • numberAir pollution chokes South Korea [PHOTOS]
  • numberChina to grant subsidies on LG, SK's EV batteries
  • numberBiegun may visit Panmungak for 'undisclosed meeting' with NK
  • numberJapanese Foreign Minister allegedly describes Korean counterpart Kang as 'decoration'
  • numberE-mart in downsizing mode amid worsening profits
  • numberRobots set to replace bank clerks
  • number'Seoul becoming darling of city diplomacy'
  • numberWhy sell on e-commerce?
  • numberUS Congress agrees on bill restricting drawdown of US troops in South Korea
  • Yang Joon-il, a musician living ahead of his time, finally recognized 30 year later Yang Joon-il, a musician living ahead of his time, finally recognized 30 year later
  • 'Parasite' earns three Golden Globe nominations 'Parasite' earns three Golden Globe nominations
  • Big Hit denies media reports about BTS' legal action Big Hit denies media reports about BTS' legal action
  • BTS, ARMY battle K-pop negative 'Koreaboo' trend BTS, ARMY battle K-pop negative 'Koreaboo' trend
  • IU-Sung duo's winter ballad tops charts [VIDEO] IU-Sung duo's winter ballad tops charts [VIDEO]
DARKROOM
  • Children deserve better

    Children deserve better

  • Global climate change: time is running out

    Global climate change: time is running out

  • CA cave fire burns more than 4,300 acres

    CA cave fire burns more than 4,300 acres

  • No money, no hope: South Korea's 'Dirt Spoons'

    No money, no hope: South Korea's 'Dirt Spoons'

  • Hong Kong democrats score historic victory

    Hong Kong democrats score historic victory

  • About Korea Times
  • CEO Message
  • Times History
  • Content Sales
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Location
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Ombudsman
  • hankookilbo
  • Dongwha Group
  • Code of Ethics
Copyright