earticle

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This paper takes an in-depth look into the learning situation of the Chinese Language (漢語) and how it was accepted by the government authorities (官) throughout the Joseon Dynasty in general via the entries recorded in the“Annals of the Joseon Dynasty”pertaining to this matter. It was imperative to emphasize both languages in Joseon Dynasty’s diplomatic relations with both the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty. This paper’s narration however is limited within the scope of the records of the ‘Chinese Language’(漢語) listed in the “Annals of the Joseon Dynasty”. If we were to take a closer look into the records of the “Annals of the Joseon Dynasty”, it can be seen that the number of literates who wanted to learn voluntarily were decreasing even if they had the ability because they only recognized language skills as one specific field even if language acquisition was necessary in the relationship amongst aristocrats of the Joseon Dynasty. In addition, it is of special note that conclusions can be drawn that the perspectives regarding the Chinese language by the literates were already changing during King Jungjoing’s reign even long before the transition from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty. The Chinese Language (漢語) occupied a very prestigious position throughout the Joseon Dynasty as an interpretation language while its leaders also considered it to be the language of the domestic aristocrats as well as the instrument of diplomatic relations with its Chinese neighbor. However, it appears that other than the selected few official interpreters who had to learn the Chinese language for vocational purposes, there weren’t many who actually had a good command of spoken Chinese.