[Red-letter Korean Pronunciation]26

Introduction

The Korean language has a rich and complex sound system. One of the most distinctive features of Korean is its use of red-letter pronunciation. Red-letter pronunciation is used to indicate that a syllable should be pronounced with a high pitch. This is often used to emphasize a particular word or phrase, or to indicate that a word is being used in a special sense.

Pronunciation Rules

Red-letter pronunciation is indicated by the use of the letter "ㄹ" (rieul). When "ㄹ" appears in a syllable, it should be pronounced with a high pitch. This is true regardless of the position of the "ㄹ" in the syllable. For example, the word "서울" (Seoul) is pronounced with a high pitch on the first syllable, even though the "ㄹ" is in the middle of the syllable.

There are a few exceptions to the general rule of red-letter pronunciation. One exception is when "ㄹ" appears in the final syllable of a word. In this case, it is not pronounced with a high pitch. For example, the word "말" (horse) is pronounced with a low pitch on the final syllable, even though the "ㄹ" is in the final syllable.

Another exception to the general rule of red-letter pronunciation is when "ㄹ" appears before a consonant. In this case, it is also not pronounced with a high pitch. For example, the word "넓다" (wide) is pronounced with a low pitch on the second syllable, even though the "ㄹ" is before a consonant.

Importance of Red-letter Pronunciation

Red-letter pronunciation is an important part of Korean pronunciation. It can be used to change the meaning of a word or phrase, or to emphasize a particular word or phrase. It is also important for understanding Korean grammar, as many grammatical rules are based on the use of red-letter pronunciation.

Examples of Red-letter Pronunciation

Here are some examples of words that use red-letter pronunciation:
서울 (Seoul)
말 (horse)
넓다 (wide)
학교 (school)
선생님 (teacher)

Conclusion

Red-letter pronunciation is an important part of Korean pronunciation. It can be used to change the meaning of a word or phrase, or to emphasize a particular word or phrase. It is also important for understanding Korean grammar. If you are learning Korean, it is important to be able to correctly pronounce red-letter syllables.

2025-01-14

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