• Journal of Korean Language Education
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• no.42
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• pp.323-368
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• 2018

This study is based on the view point of diglossia that Chinese writing held a higher position than Korean language in the Joseon Dynasty, especially during the 16th century. Diglossic writers were focus on and the implication of diglossia in literacy education was examined. In particular, the diglossic literary features of Korean poetry and songs were examined, with a focus on differences in the authors' gender: female(Hwang Jini and Heo Nanseolheon) and male (Lee Hwang, Jeong Cheol and others). In the case of diglossic literature written by male poets, their Hansi and Sijo had quite different subjects. In addition, their Hansi, which was the exclusive property of noblemen, was largely based on their lives. However, the female poet Heo Nanseolheon covered wider range of subjects and used the first-person point of view, even when the content was not based on her actual life. In particular, she wrote Hansi as lyrics for Korean songs and thus, some of her Hansi can be enjoyed through singing. This differs considerably from the work of male diglossic writers. Furthermore, this tendency can be seen in the history of Hansi after the 18th century. Another female poet, Hwang Jini free from Neo-Confucianism, depicted her free thoughts and expressions in Sijo and reflected various poetic speakers' situations in both Sijo and Hansi. This is especially interesting since women were considered to be of lower social class at that time; these two female poets did not just refuse to follow the writing patterns of male noblemen, they also applied the characteristics of Korean poetry and songs to Hansi and disrupted the traditional characteristics of Hansi. In current education, the 2015 revised national curriculum put emphasize on understanding not only the scope of functional literacy, but also the principle for enhancing critical perception with respect to understanding the ways of communication of power and hierarchical structure. This can be considered a good principle, although mainstream literature does not pay attention to it. In addition, it can be applied through self-internalization and an acceptance of literature in school education by using the spoken language culture that students generally prefer in digital media. Highlighting the perception of advantages and characteristics, when minority statuses are linked to artistic freedoms to flout current prevailing values and cultural tendencies, can enhance not only classical literature literacy but also improve students' characteristics and competency.