중국어계 고유명사 한글 표기의 몇 가지 문제 — 한자어⋅외래어를 넘나드는 어휘론적 복합성을 중심으로 = Issues in the Hangul Transcription of Chinese Proper Nouns: Focusing on the Lexical Complexity Between Sino-Korean Words and Loanwords

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study identifies that the issue of transcribing Chinese proper nouns into Hangul is not merely a matter of transcription methods but stems from the distinct lexical categories of loanwords and Sino-Korean words. It argues that achieving consistency is unattainable, whether Chinese proper nouns are treated as loanwords using modern Mandarin pronunciations or as Sino-Korean words using Sino-Korean pronunciations. Based on this, the study proposes user-centered solutions through flexible norms.
Transcription based on Mandarin pronunciations encounters challenges such as disagreements over phonological correspondence and phonetic characteristics, the difficulty of accurately representing original sounds due to the diversity of Chinese dialects and the global dispersion of Chinese-speaking communities, and the necessity of accommodating conventional transcriptions shaped by historical and customary factors.
On the other hand, the use of Sino-Korean pronunciations presents obstacles in contexts where Chinese proper nouns are not mediated through Chinese characters and where many users lack familiarity with Chinese or related linguistic knowledge. Additionally, it is challenging to consistently apply Sino-Korean pronunciations to proper nouns in Japanese, Vietnamese, and global Chinese communities that utilize Sino-character-based names.
Neither Mandarin-based transcription nor Sino-Korean pronunciation provides an ideal solution. Therefore, regardless of the approach adopted, sufficient tolerance for alternative conventions must be maintained. For example, greater acceptance of Sino-Korean pronunciations may be needed for geographical names. Furthermore, if Mandarin-based transcription remains necessary, improving the regularity between Hanyu Pinyin and Hangul transcription will be crucial to allow users to adapt easily, irrespective of their familiarity with Chinese.