Korean and Dravidian: Lexical Evidence for an Old Theory

Abstract

Since 1905 when, on the basis of syntactic and typological similarities, Homer Hulbert first suggested a genetic relationship between Korean and Dravidian, there has been no systematic attempt to examine his theory in light of the lexical evidence available. This paper presents over four hundred sets of Korean-Dravidian cognate pairs, including many basic vocabulary items, in an attempt to uncover links between the two language groups. The evidence suggests that at a very ancient period Dravidian and Korean probably shared a common heritage and that this heritage might have been reinforced much later by migrations to the Korean peninsula, perhaps in the later years of the first millennium B.C.

(Korean-Tamil) Language and Cultural similarities, Maritime Trade between Early Historic Tamilakam and Korea

“…In 1905, Homer B. Hulbert was first to hypothesize the similarities between Korean and Dravidian languages but was unable to provide much convincing evidence to support his findings (Hulbert Homer B, 1905). Later, Morgan E Clippinger proposed his article 'Korean and Dravidian: Lexical Evidence for an Old Theory' presents over 400 sets of words that were similar between the two languages (Clippinger Morgan, 1984). Recently, in South Korea, Korean scholar GI Moon Yang learned Tamil and now teaches Tamil in Korean language in his You Tube channel Muuni TV (무니티비/%zp TV).…”

Ppuri Kip'un Namu Sanjo Chonjip [The Deep-Rooted Tree Sanjo Collection]

“…In this respect, sanjo more nearly resembles the composed portions pallavi, anupallavi, caranas) of a South Indian krti performance; the tasiiriim section would then correspond to the exposition of the raga campana). Beyond this, however, the rhythmic structure and overall conception of the two forms diverge; though the similarity with South Indian music could be more than coincidence, since there are definite though still mysterious resemblances of vocabulary between Korean and the Dravidian languages (Clippinger 1984).…”