Mongolian Language and literature
MONGOLIAN is the language of the most population of Mongolia and of inner Mongolia. By origin it is one of the languages of Mongolian group of the Altaic family and the history of Mongolian language is long and complex. Today the Mongolian-speaking nations have the following literary languages.
- The Mongolian literary language in the new Mongolian writing, based on the Cyrillic alphabet. Also Buryat and Kalmyk literary languages in the new writing are based on Cyrillic alphabet.
- the Inner Mongolian literary language in the Mongolian script.
The Ancient Period of Mongolian Language
The ancient period of development of the Mongolian language extended up to approximately the 7th and 8th centuries, during which there were two main dialects. The monuments of that time are linguistic materials referred to in historical documents of the neighboring nations, in a majority of cases in Chinese transcription and in the Mongolian literary language in the Mongolia script based on the ancient Mongolian language which the written and literary language had a parallel oral literary language was the forerunner of the Mongolian written language.
The Middle Period
The middle period of development of Mongolian extended from the 15th to 16th centuries. The Mongolian language of that time is divided into southern, eastern and western dialects. The principal monuments of the middle period are: in the eastern dialects, the famous Secret History of the Mongols.
Contemporary Period
The third period of development of Mongolian language continues up to the present day. The second stage of the contemporary period started in 1940s, in connection with adoption of the new script based on Cyrillic. During this time, some of the initial consonants p-f-h have disappeared. But, one of the main developments in that time is the formation of the classical Mongolian literary language in the Mongolian script, on the basis of written language of xylographic publication in the 17th century and 18th century.
Modern Mongolian Language
The modern Mongolian language, as national language, was developed in 1920s revolution, based in Khalkha or Halh dialect and in 1940s, the new script introduced. Today, the Mongolian language comprises several dialects, including Halh, Buryat, oirat, Tsahar, harchin, Horchin, Ordos and other. The development of society, scientific and technological revolution were conductive to a parallel development of the social function of the Mongolian literary language.