Korean McCune-Reischauer Romanization Dictionary Wooseob Jeong School of Information Studies University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Project Members Sun-yoon Lee: University of Southern California Younghee Sohn: University of Chicago Young Ki Lee: Library of Congress [Quality Controller] Hee-Sook Shin: Columbia University Mikyung Kang: Stanford University Hana Kim: University of Toronto Jaeyong Chang: University of California – Berkeley Eunseung Oh: OCLC Wooseob Jeong: University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee [System Maintenance]

Background In 2005 CEAL CKM session, Young Ki Lee at LC mentioned that he had had to look up a dictionary in some cases for a definite decision for Romanization. “Wow! That’s it, a dictionary!” “Let somebody look up a dictionary once and share the result over and over!”

Project Rationale Accepting the reality of Korean Romanization in the U.S. LC Romanization revision efforts Korean Romanization standard efforts None of them can replace the current system in a near future at least. Provide the authoritative Korean Romanization tool Ready for expansion or transition, if any.

Project Progress http://www.romanization.org PHP/MySQL As of April 1, 2006, there are more than 4000 entries. Unicode Copy to other Unicode-based programs

Project Strategy Most commonly used words first Unicode Not all the words in dictionaries are used in cataloging. Utilize vendors’ book lists like those from Panmun Unicode Copy to other programs like OCLC Connexion Input special characters by HTML entities Ex) breve + o : &#335

Known Issues Chinese Characters Comprehensive Particle Handling Cross-reference: Unicode problem Comprehensive Particle Handling Currently only 5 attached automatically Phrase Conversion Currently only “starting with – ” search

Expandability If any new standards are adopted, additional fields can be added easily to the database. Can be used as knowledge-base for automatic conversion programs if necessary.

Conclusion Closely work with the Romanization revision project group and Korean national Romanization standard agencies. More volunteers needed. Good addition to your resume for annual evaluation or tenure promotion Spread word on the project, please. http://www.romanization.org