5 Fun Facts About the Mongolian Language
If you were like me, you probably don’t know that much about Mongolia and I didn’t either until actually spending some time living there. All I knew was it once had an empire that conquered the world led by man named Genghis Khan (it’s actually Chingis Khan). However if you have started reading this, then you probably want to know a little more about the place with people with horses and bows that conquered the world. Why not start by learning some interesting facts about the Mongolian language? Without further or do, here are 5 fun facts about the Mongolian language.
Fact 1: Mongolian is the official language of Mongolia and is also spoken by some communities in China, Russia, and other countries.
Did you know that the Mongolian language is a linguistic adventurer? Not content to stay within the borders of Mongolia, it has also spread to communities in China, Russia, and other countries. In fact, Mongolian is the official language of Mongolia and is spoken by a diverse group of people in a variety of locations. This makes Mongolian a true lingua franca, connecting people from different cultures and backgrounds. But that’s not all – there’s also a rare and endangered dialect of Mongolian known as Chahar, which is spoken by a small community in China. So if you’re planning a journey to Mongolia or any of the other countries where Mongolian is spoken, why not add a bit of linguistic flair to your travels by learning a few phrases in the local dialect? You never know who you might meet or what adventures you might have because of it – you might even have the chance to converse with a speaker of the elusive Chahar dialect!
Fact 2: The Mongolian alphabet was invented in the 12th century and is derived from the Uyghur script.
The Mongolian alphabet is a marvel of linguistic history, with roots that stretch back over 900 years. It was invented in the 12th century by the famous Mongolian ruler Genghis Khan and his sons, who wanted a script that could be used to write the Mongolian language. The alphabet was derived from the Uyghur script, which was itself based on the Sogdian script. The Mongolian alphabet has undergone many changes and adaptations over the centuries, and it is now written in a modified version of the Cyrillic script. But despite its age, the Mongolian alphabet is still in use today and is an important part of Mongolian culture and identity. In fact, the Mongolian alphabet is believed to be one of the oldest and most complete alphabets in the world, with characters for all the sounds in the Mongolian language. Additionally, the Mongolian alphabet is written in vertical columns from top to bottom, with the lines running from left to right. This is different from most other writing systems, which are written in horizontal lines from left to right. So next time you see some Mongolian writing, take a moment to appreciate the rich history and unique features of this ancient alphabet – you’re looking at over 900 years of linguistic evolution!
Fact 3: Mongolian is a member of the Mongolic language family, which also includes Buryat and Kalmyk.
The Mongolian language is a member of the fascinating and diverse Mongolic language family, which includes a number of other languages spoken in Central and East Asia. The Mongolic language family is thought to have originated in Mongolia and the surrounding region, and it is related to other language families such as the Turkic and Tungusic families. Some of the other languages in the Mongolic language family include Buryat, which is spoken in Russia and China, and Kalmyk, which is spoken in Russia. But the Mongolic language family is not limited to these well-known languages – there are also several lesser-known languages that are part of this family. For example, Oirat is a Mongolic language spoken in western Mongolia and parts of China, and Monguor is a language spoken in the Gansu province of China. These languages are considered endangered and are not widely spoken, but they are an important part of the linguistic and cultural heritage of the region. So if you’re interested in the Mongolian language, be sure to also check out these other fascinating languages and learn more about their unique histories and cultures. You never know what rare and interesting linguistic treasures you might discover!
Fact 4: Mongolian is an agglutinative language, which means that words are formed by adding suffixes to a root
Have you ever wished that you could pack a whole sentence’s worth of meaning into a single word? If so, then you’ll love the Mongolian language! As an agglutinative language, Mongolian has a unique way of constructing words that is both efficient and expressive. Instead of having separate words for every concept, Mongolian words are formed by adding suffixes to a root. This means that a single word in Mongolian can convey a lot of information, as it can include multiple morphemes (units of meaning) that are added together to create a single word. For example, the word “baatar” in Mongolian means “hero,” but the suffix “-laan” can be added to the root “baatar-” to create the word “baatarlaan,” which means “heroic.” In this way, a single word in Mongolian can be like a little story all on its own, containing a wealth of meaning and nuance. The agglutinative nature of Mongolian can make it a complex language to learn, but it also means that it is highly expressive and can convey a wide range of meanings. So if you’re up for a linguistic challenge and want to dive into a language that is rich and expressive, learning Mongolian might be the perfect adventure for you!
Fact 5: Mongolian is written in vertical columns from top to bottom, with the lines running from left to right.
The vertical writing system of Mongolian is a unique and interesting feature of the language that has a rich history. Unlike most other writing systems, which are written in horizontal lines from left to right, Mongolian is written in vertical columns from top to bottom, with the lines running from left to right. This writing system is thought to have originated in the 13th century, when the Mongols adopted the Uyghur script as the basis for their own writing system. At the time, the Uyghur script was written in a horizontal orientation, but the Mongols modified it to be written vertically. The vertical orientation of the script is believed to have been chosen because it was easier to read when mounted on horseback, which was a common mode of transportation for the nomadic Mongols. Additionally, the vertical writing system of Mongolian is believed to have influenced the development of the Korean and Japanese writing systems, which are also written vertically. Today, the vertical writing system of Mongolian is still in use and is an important part of Mongolian culture and identity. So next time you see some Mongolian writing, take a moment to appreciate this unique and interesting aspect of the language and its rich history!
That’s 5 interesting, fun facts about Mongolian. Did you learn something new that you didn’t know? Perhaps you knew a few of them. Either way, why not let us know in the comments? Here at Goldigobi we want to promote Mongolia and its language, and you can help by sharing this with others.
Until next time, happy learning, everyone!
