조선말 refers to the Korean language as it was spoken during the Joseon Dynasty, which lasted from 1392 to 1910. This period saw the development of the language, including the creation of Hangul, the native Korean script, by King Sejong the Great in the 15th century. The language evolved through various historical and social changes, reflecting the culture and society of the time. Today, 조선말 is studied for its historical significance and is an important part of understanding the development of modern Korean.