訛

Phono-semantic compound:

言 (말씀 언) — semantic element, relating to speech, language, statements.

化 (될 화) — phonetic element providing the sound 와 and hinting at change, which contributes to the notion of “changed, distorted speech.”

Thus 訛 originally meant distorted or changed speech, which developed into “incorrect, deceptive, false.”

Shuowen Jiezi (說文解字):

「訛，誣也。从言，化聲。」

“訛 means ‘to slander, to falsify.’ Formed from 言 with 化 as the phonetic.”

This definition confirm the core meanings of distortion, falsehood, and error.

Semantic development:

Distorted speech / dialect — early meaning: speech deviating from standard.

Error / incorrectness — erroneous words, incorrect forms, mistakes.

Falsehood / deception — spreading lies, fabricated stories.

Distortion / deviation — morally or factually “out of line,” off-track.

Rumor / false report:

訛言 — false rumor

訛傳 — distorted transmission

In Korean, 訛(와) appears mostly in scholarly, classical, and linguistic contexts, especially regarding errors, distorted speech, and falsehood.

Falsehood / deception:

訛言 (와언) — 거짓말, 속임말; false rumor; deceptive speech

訛傳 (와전) — 와전되다; misreport; distorted transmission

訛惑 (와혹) — 거짓으로 미혹시킴; to deceive or mislead

Error / incorrectness:

訛謬 (와류) — 잘못됨; error; mistake

訛誤 (와오) — 그릇된 말; incorrect wording; error

訛俗 (와속) — 잘못된 습속; corrupted custom or usage

Dialect / deviant speech:

方訛 (방와) — 지방 사투리; local dialect

訛音 (와음) — 비표준 발음; irregular / corrupted pronunciation

俗訛 (속와) — 속어와 와전된 말; vernacular distortions; folk mispronunciations

These forms commonly appear in Korean linguistics, academic writing, and classical literature.

訛 often carries a moral tone “distorted words corrupt social harmony.”

Thus ancient scholars frequently cautioned against 訛言, as false speech was seen as dangerous to governance and public order.

訛 is a crucial term in:

- traditional philology (訛正 = correcting errors)

- textual criticism

- dialectology

- lexicography

- phonological studies

It stands opposite to:

正 (correct)

是 (true)

實 (real)

信 (trustworthy)

Classical citations:

《左傳·昭公十七年》 (Zuo Zhuan, Duke Zhao, Year 17)

「毋信訛言。」

“Do not believe false rumors” — 訛言 = distorted or false reports.

《史記·秦始皇本紀》 (Records of the Grand Historian)

「天下多訛言。」

“There were many false reports circulating in the empire.”

《漢書·藝文志》 (Book of Han)

「正其文以息訛。」

“Correct the writings so that errors may cease” — 訛 = incorrectness, textual corruption.

《後漢書·劉盆子傳》 (Book of the Later Han Dynasty)

「訛言流布。」

“False rumors spread everywhere.”

《文選·陸機〈辨亡論〉》 (Wenxuan, Anthology of Literature)

「事與願違，言多訛謬。」

“Matters turned against one’s hopes, and many words were erroneous.”

These citations anchor both linguistic and moral senses of 訛.