Indonesian tribe picks Korean alphabet as official writing system

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SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- A minority tribe in Indonesia has chosen to use Hangeul
as its official writing system, in the first case of the Korean alphabet being
used by a foreign society, a scholars' association here said Thursday.
The tribe in the city of Bauer and Bauer, located in Buton, Southeast Sulawesi,
has chosen Hangeul as the official alphabet to transcribe its aboriginal
language, according to the Hunminjeongeum Research Institute.
The Indonesian ethnic minority, with a population of 60,000, was on the verge of
losing its native language as it lacked a proper writing system, the institute
said.
The city of Bauer and Bauer began to teach students the Korean alphabet last
month, with lessons based on textbooks created by the Korean institute.
Composed of writing, speaking and reading sections, all texts in the book --
explaining the tribe's history, language and culture -- are written in the Korean
script. The book also includes a Korean fairy tale.
The city plans to set up a Korean center next month and to work on spreading the
Korean alphabet to other regions by training Korean language teachers.
Linguists here expressed hope that the case will become a stepping stone to
spreading and promoting the Korean alphabet globally. The Hunminjeongeum Research
Institute has been trying for several years to spread the Korean alphabet to
minority tribes across Asia who do not have their own writing system.
"It will be a meaningful case in history if the Indonesian tribe manages to keep
its aboriginal language with the help of Hangeul," said Seoul National University
professor and member of the institute Kim Joo-won. "In the long run, the spread
of Hangeul will also help enhance Korea's economy as it will activate exchanges
with societies that use the language."
Prof. Lee Ho-young, who helped create the Korean textbook for the Indonesian
tribe, said it was a "historical case" for the Korean alphabet to be used in
preserving the traditional language of a foreign society.
"I hope the case will serve as a meaningful opportunity to show off the
excellence of Hangeul outside of the country," he said.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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