A Study on the Examples of Pronouncing a Single Vowel "Gi" as a Diphthong "Gui" in the Jongmyo Jeryeak's Akjang

In many cases of traditional vocal genres, the lyrics are sung in the way of pronouncing all the vowels and consonants composed of one syllable in a distinguishable way. When akjang (song lyrics in the form of a poem) of the jongmyo jeryeak (court music performed in the rites for royal ancestors) is sung, however, there is a tendency not to disjoint single vowels of a diphthong and final consonants of particular voiced consonants. This is speculated to be because the lyrics have a great meaning since they directly praise the virtues of the king. However, 'gi ' used in the lyrics of the jongmyo jeryeak 's akjang is sung as a single vowel 'gi ' or a diphthong 'gui ' depending on the case. It is not depending on Chinese characters, but is pronounced in two ways even if the same Chinese character is used. As a result of interpreting the meaning of the jongmyo jeryeak's akjang based on the Chinese dictionary Jeonun okpyeon in which diphthongs are written, four Chinese characters (其, 基, 幾, 機) to be corrected were found among eight Chinese characters of 'gi ' appeared 21 times in the lyrics of the akjang . When singing the Chinese lyrics 'gi' of the jongmyo jeryeak's akjang, correctly pronouncing as a single vowel 'gi ' or a diphthong 'gui' depending on the meaning would be the right way to inherit the tradition.