I think that part of it depends on exactly what idea you are trying to get across. Remember that when translating languages, words do not always go directly from one to the other. Where we have one word to represent a few different ideas, another language may have 10 words with slightly different connotations. By the same token, one word in another language may not have a direct translation to another. Bunkai is a very specific martial arts term in Japanese....therefore, we are trying to assign native Korean words as a translation to this word, therefore, there is possibly more than one "right" answer, depending on the idea that you want to get across.
As I said, bunseok, bunhae, haesul, and haeseok all have similar meanings; any of which could be a translation for the word Bunkai, depending on the specific idea you want to get across.
There are not many "organic" Korean martial arts words, they are mostly borrowed from Chinese. In fact, Bunkai is ALSO borrowed from Chinese, into Kanji....then into Korean, so we're talking about a 3 level translation....
To add a thought, something I've noticed over the years is that there seem to be variations of even the most basic terms in Korean from one style to another, and even within styles, from one kwan to another. Ive seen different terms for things like the names of strikes and stances. I don't know nearly enough hangul to be able to explain the differences.
True, I have noticed the same thing. Part of it is the issue of translation from Chinese to Korean (Hanja/Hanmun), part of it is trying to use native Korean words, part of it is some of the older masters simply making up words for techniques. I've noticed a lot of that in my research and translations. It definately makes things difficult and is the main reason that I'm always in search of a good Hanja/Hanmun resource. But that is a whole different discussion.
My instructor has them, but I think that he realizes their value and never lets them out of his sight.
