Mongolian script

From Mongol Studies Online Reference

External cultural influences have led to the use of a variety of scripts in Mongolia. Among the historically common ones are the Chinese character derived Kitan script, the Tibetan influenced Phags-pa script, and the traditional Uyghur-derived script. In modern times Western influences led to the development of Latin and Cyrillic alphabet-based writing systems, and it is the Cyrillic alphabet that predominates to this day.

Contents 1 Cyrillic 2 Traditional script 3 Other Scripts Used in Mongolia 4 Further reading and links 5 References

[edit] Cyrillic

A modified form of this alphabet was introduced via the Soviet influence. Starting in 1946, under communist rule, Mongolians were required to use the Cyrillic alphabet and use of the traditional script was strongly discouraged. Despite the fall of the communist regime and a decline in Russian influence Mongolians have retained their Cyrillic alphabet. There have been advocates for a return to the traditional writing system, but Cyrillic remains the primary writing system in education, business, and government.

For more on modern Mongolian writing and language please see the Mongolian Language Portal.

[edit] Traditional script

Traditional Mongolian script, or "Mongol Bichig", was created in 1204 by a Uyghur scribe named Tatar-Tonga.^[1] The script is unique in that it runs from left to right and top to bottom. It was commission by Chinggis Khan in order to help administer his growing empire, though Chinggis Khan never learned to read or write himself. He did, however, require his sons and the aristocracy to learn the script. This served as the Mongolian language’s primary written form until Russian influence in the 20th century led to the adoption of the Cyrillic alphabet. The traditional script, however, has once again begun to be taught in schools since the glasnost reforms of the 1980s.^[2] This education is not, however, in depth or extensive. There is an ongoing debate today over increased instruction in the traditional script and whether it will alienate Mongolia from the rest of the world.^[3]

[edit] Other Scripts Used in Mongolia

Notable ones include the Tibetan script that came with the adoption of Lamaist Buddhism, the predominant religion in Mongolia to this day.^[4] Many Tibetan religious texts are still studied and preserved in monasteries throughout the country. During the Yuan Dynasty Kublai Khan commissioned the Phags-pa script which was based on Tibetan as well, though it fell out of use after the end of the Yuan Dynasty.^[5] The Chinese script has also been used for Mongol languages. A notable example is a modified form used by the Kitans.^[6]

[edit] Further reading and links

• Kara, György. Books of the Mongolian Nomads: More than Eight Centuries of Writing Mongolian. Translated by John R. Kruger from Russian, Indiana University Bloomington, Research Institute for Inner Asian Studies. Indiana University Uralic and Altaic Series, Denis Sinor, Ed. Vol. 171, 2005.

• "Phags-pa alphabet" Omniglot.com. Accessed 19 June 2008.

• "Altaic Language" The University of Montana -- Mansfield Library. Accessed 24 June 2008.

• Choimaa, Sharavyn and Namsrai, Yumbayaryn. "The Traditional Style of Official Documents of Mongolia." Accessed 24 June 2008.

• "Traditional Mongolian alphabet" Linguamongolia.co.uk. Accessed 24 June 2008.

[edit] References

1. ↑ Omniglot, "Writing Systems and Languages of the World." Omniglot.com. Accessed 12 June 2008.
2. ↑ "Mongolia." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 7 May 2008.
3. ↑ citation needed
4. ↑ "Mongolia" Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook. Accessed 7 May 2008.
5. ↑ Ager, Simon. "Phags-pa Alphabet." Omniglot.com. 2008. Accessed June 18 2008.
6. ↑ Kara, György. Books of the Mongolian Nomads: More than Eight Centuries of Writing Mongolian. Translated by John R. Kruger from Russian, Indiana University Bloomington, Research Institute for Inner Asian Studies. Indiana University Uralic and Altaic Series, Denis Sinor, Ed. Vol. 171, 2005.