ABSTRACT
Foreign individuals, particularly missionaries, played a pivotal role in advancing Korean linguistic understanding during the Enlightenment era. Their scholarly pursuits illuminated the intricacies of the Korean language and its gradual comprehension. Notably, native Koreans did not create their first grammar until later, suggesting foreign influence on subsequent research and Korean grammar portrayal. Their works contributed to pedagogical grammars, incorporating practical exercises, cultural insights, and translations. Core language elements such as nouns, pronouns, numerals, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, postpositions, conjunctions, and interjections were thoroughly described. Verb analysis covered voice, mood, tense, and syntax addressed negation, passivity, causativity, honorifics, and indirect speech. Foreign missionaries significantly influenced Korean linguistic studies during the Enlightenment era. Their multifaceted contributions established foundational frameworks and pedagogical insights, supporting native speakers in subsequent grammatical descriptions of the Korean language.
