The calligrapher's daughter_ a novel - Eugenia Kim [186]
*Yi Dynasty of the Joseon (or Choson) Kingdom, the latter meaning “Land of the Morning Calm.”
Glossary
With the exception of personal and family names, most Korean words in this book are spelled using the Revised Romanization of Korean system. Because the vowel combinations used in this system might be unfamiliar to readers, nonstandard spelling has been applied to the following words: abbuh-nim, ahsee, oppa, umma-nim, unnee and yuhbo.
abbuh-nim (ah-buh-NEEM). Father, with the honorific suffix -nim. Revised romanization: abeonim.
ahsee (ah-SEE). Higher level female address, used by servants. Revised romanization: asi.
aigu (EYE-goo) or aiu (EYE-yoo). An expression whose meaning—surprise, alarm, fear, delight, concern, pity, etc.—is derived from tone.
ajeosi (AH-juh-see). Uncle. Also how a person would address an older, unrelated male who is otherwise without a professional title, such as a shopkeeper. The counterpart for an older female is ajeomeoni (AH-juh-muh-nee), though there are specific terms for maternal aunt and paternal aunt (see imo and gomo).
chinsa (CHIN-sah). Certified scholar of Korean Confucian classics, similar to a doctor.
cheongsam (chong-SAHM). Chinese word for the traditional women’s silk dress with Mandarin collar and frog closures.
Daewongun (TEH-won-gun). Literally, “prince of the great court,” the father of the monarch who acts as regent.
Donghak Revolution (TOHNG-hahk revolution). A major peasant uprising against tyranny, foreign influence, government corruption and the yangban class. The revolution climaxed in 1894 and threatened the Joseon Dynasty to such an extent that Chinese and later Japanese troops were required to quash the peasant army. The Donghak (Eastern Learning) Revolution was a significant factor in Korea’s instability at the turn of the century.
dongsaeng (TOHNG-sayng). Younger sibling. How a sibling addresses a younger sister or younger brother.
gayageum (KAH-yah-gum). Elongated zither- or harp-like stringed instrument, usually with twelve strings.
geulsae (KUL-seh). Expression of agreement or wonder, similar to “really.”
gisaeng (KEE-sayng). Courtesan, akin to the Japanese geisha.
gomo (KOH-moh). Paternal aunt, versus imo, maternal aunt. Both are often paired with the honorific suffix -nim.
gosari (KOH-sah-rree). The edible young fiddlehead shoots of the ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris.
halmeoni (HAHL-muh-nee). Grandmother. With the honorific suffix, halmeonim.
hanbok (HAHN-bok). Korean traditional clothing for men or women.
Hangeul (HAHN-gul). Korean vernacular language and writing. Until the invention of the Hangeul alphabet in 1446 by King Sejong, Chinese characters were used phonetically to transcribe Korean, which limited literacy to the educated upper class.
harabeoji (HAH-rah-buh-jee). Grandfather.
hyung, hyung-nim (hyung-NEEM). Older brother, older sister-in-law, or older friend. How a male sibling addresses his older brother; a female addresses her older sister-in-law; and a friend addresses an older, close friend. Typically with the honorific suffix, as shown.
imo (EE-moh). Maternal aunt, versus gomo, paternal aunt. Both are typically paired with the honorific suffix -nim.
jajangmyeon (CHA-JAHNG-myun). A noodle dish with sweet black bean sauce (jajang), typically purchased from a street vendor.
jangin-eorun (CHAHNG-een-uh-run). Father-in-law, as used by a man. A woman would refer to her father-in-law as Ssi-abbuh-nim.
jangmo-nim (CHAHNG-moh-neem). Mother-in-law, as used by a male. Includes the honorific suffix -nim. A woman would refer to her mother-in-law as Ssi-umma-nim.
jeon (CHON). Korean monetary unit, both coin and currency, used during the occupation. One won equaled 100 jeon. One Japanese sen was equivalent to one Korean jeon. Sen and jeon are different pronunciations of the same Chinese character.
Kabo Reforms (KAH-bo reforms). Six hundred reform laws passed by King Gojong in 1894–95. Also called the 1895 Reforms.
li (LEE). Chinese measure of distance equal to five hundred meters.
man-se (mahn-SEH).