Overview
The 신기한글 (D-Pad Keyboard) is a revolutionary input system based on the original design principles of the 훈민정음 (Hunminjeongeum)—"The Correct Sounds for the Instruction of the People," published in 1446. It aims to restore the scientific and phonological foundation of the Korean script by arranging characters according to their articulatory features and elemental philosophies.
Consonant Layout
Consonants are organized around a D-pad in four cardinal directions based on articulatory categories:
- Right (Velar): ㄱ (/g/ – Wood)
- Left (Lingual): ㄴ (/n/ – Fire)
- Down (Labial): ㅁ (/m/ – Soil)
- Up (Dental): ㅅ (/s/ – Metal)
- Center (Glottal): ㅇ (silent – Water)
Each consonant is tied to one of the Five Elements (오행) and reflects a specific sound category.
Gestures:
- Inward press (toward center): Inputs soft voiced sounds (전청): ㄹ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅈ
(Note: ㄹ is an exception with unique placement)
- Outward press (away from center): Inputs aspirated sounds (차청): ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ, ㅊ
- Upward press on center: ㅎ (/h/, aspirated glottal)
Vowel Layout
Vowels are arranged according to traditional cosmological orientation:
- Down (North): ㅗ /o/ – ①
- Up (South): ㅜ /u/ – ②
- Left (East): ㅏ /a/ – ③
- Right (West): ㅓ /ʌ/ – ④
- Center: ㆍ /ɑ/ (Heaven) – ⑤, from the 천(天)–지(地)–인(人) triad
Gestures:
- Inward press: Adds ㅣ /i/ to the front (e.g., ㅠ, ㅛ, ㅕ, ㅑ)
- Outward press: Adds ㅣ /i/ to the end (e.g., ㅚ, ㅟ, ㅐ, ㅔ)
- Rightward press on center: ㅡ /ɯ/ – ⑩
- Downward press on center: ㅣ /i/ (Human, no number assigned)
Mode Switching: Single & Double Input
Tap the yellow flower icon to switch modes:
- Single Mode: The system automatically alternates between consonant and vowel input. All Hangul syllables can be typed using just five directional keys with one hand.
- Double Mode: Allows users to input consonants and vowels simultaneously, using both hands. The system intelligently corrects the order of input (vowel first or consonant first), offering faster, more fluid, and brain-engaging typing.
Cognitive Benefits of Double Input Mode
Using both hands to input consonants and vowels at the same time engages both hemispheres of the brain:
- Left Brain: Processes language and sequential logic.
- Right Brain: Engages with spatial direction, pattern recognition, and motor coordination.
This kind of bilateral, spatial-linguistic interaction has potential cognitive benefits for:
- Young Users: Promotes brain development, working memory, and hand-eye coordination.
- Older Users: May help maintain cognitive flexibility, delay age-related decline, and improve neural plasticity.
By turning typing into an interactive two-handed process, the D-Pad Keyboard becomes a tool not just for communication—but for mental stimulation and cognitive enhancement.
Navigation and Deletion
- Use the arrow keys at the top left and right of the keyboard to move the cursor horizontally.
- Double-pressing or repeatedly pressing the right arrow inputs a period (.).
- Swiping the central key left deletes characters one phoneme at a time.
Number Input
Tapping the special character key brings up number input keys. Numbers are arranged based on traditional orientation as described in the Hunminjeongeum:
Down = 1, Up = 2, Left = 3, Right = 4, Center = 5
(Note: Traditional orientation: Up = South, Down = North, Left = East, Right = West)
- Single Input: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Double Input: 6, 7, 8, 9, 0
Input of Compound Characters
Swipe gestures enable intuitive input of compound consonants and vowels:
- ㅘ: swipe ㅗ → ㅏ (clockwise or leftward)
- ㄲ: swipe ㄱ downward (clockwise)
- Other compound characters can be input with similar directional swipes around the base key.
Future Expansion & AI Integration
The D-Pad Keyboard is designed to be language-agnostic, supporting not just Korean, but also Japanese, Chinese, and other scripts.
Future updates may include:
- AI-assisted sentence generation using only the five elemental base characters (음양오행 기본자)
- Contextual word prediction and semantic completion
- Optimized use on compact devices like smartwatches or AR/VR systems
Final Thoughts
Most people are used to conventional keyboards, and transitioning to a new layout can feel unfamiliar. But the current Korean keyboard is essentially an overlay on Western QWERTY or number pads, lacking in cultural and phonetic logic.
The D-Pad Keyboard restores the scientific, symbolic, and ergonomic essence of the Korean script. Whether or not it becomes the norm, it serves as a meaningful attempt to rediscover the true structure and beauty of Hangul.
We hope that those who love language and innovation will give it a try—and perhaps even find it fun, educational, and mentally invigorating.