Easily convert your Korean text into professional speech for free. Perfect for e-learning, presentations, YouTube videos and increasing the accessibility of your website. Our voices pronounce your texts in their own language using a specific accent. Plus, these texts can be downloaded as MP3. In some languages, multiple speakers are available.
Input limit: 3,000 characters / Don't forget to turn on your speakers :-)
Hint: If you finish a sentence, leave a space after the dot before the next one starts for better pronunciation.
Please note: Remove any diacritical signs from the speakers names when using this, Léa = Lea, Penélope = Penelope
Korean, the official language of both South and North Korea, has a fascinating linguistic history that dates back to the Three Kingdoms period (1st century BC to 7th century AD). It belongs to the Koreanic language family and, although it is often speculated to belong to the Altaic language family, linguists are yet to reach a consensus regarding its origins. Korean is unique in that it has its own writing system, Hangul, which was invented in the 15th century by King Sejong the Great and his scholars.
Hangul is renowned for its scientific design and efficiency. The characters are not only phonetic but also mimic the shape of the speaker's mouth when producing the corresponding sound. Prior to the creation of Hangul, written Korean used Classical Chinese characters, which were not well-suited to the Korean language, leading to low literacy rates. The introduction of Hangul significantly increased literacy amongst Koreans and is celebrated annually on Hangul Day.
An interesting feature of Korean is the importance of hierarchy and politeness in its grammar and vocabulary. There are various speech levels and honorifics that depend on the social standing of the speaker, the listener, and the subject being discussed. Such linguistic stratification means that speakers must navigate a complex system of respect in conversation.
Korean also possesses a rich array of onomatopoeia and mimetic words, which pertain not just to sounds but also to textures, feelings, and movements. These words add a vividness and immediacy to the language, capturing nuances that go beyond simple description.
In terms of geographical distribution, Korean serves as a linguistic bridge in Northeast Asia, with significant Korean-speaking populations in China, Japan, Russia, and, due to more recent migration, in the United States. Despite its regional roots, the global influence of Korean culture, particularly through the Korean Wave of music, film, and television, has sparked interest in the language and culture worldwide.
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