A New Look at Paekche and Korean : Data from Nihon shoki

Abstract

The study of the dead language of Paekche has concentrated mostly on the toponyms recorded in Samkuk saki, and Samkuk yusa. These data are of great importance. but several methodological problems have hampered the study of this language. The present study takes a different angle. and looks at 42 Paekche words preserved in Nihon shoki. Paekche reconstructed forms are posited. and these are compared with Middle Korean, Old Japanese. and Tungusic foms. This paper concludes that the Paekche language IS very closely related to the language of Silla (Middle Korean).