Recent policy changes in China limiting the use of Mongolian language and script in daily life are causing grave concern to Mongolian communities worldwide, as well as to scholars of Mongolian language and culture.
Written from top to bottom and left to right, the classical Mongolian script dates back to the 13th century. It is the vehicle used to record Mongolia’s indigenous history and literature for centuries. In particular, the traditional script preserves ancient grammar and spellings, providing a common link to the past that connects all the different forms of modern spoken and written Mongolian.
In 2013 traditional Mongolian calligraphy was included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, underlining its international importance. The need to protect the script is also recognised in projects such as the Atlas of Endangered Alphabets.
Under the communist regime of the former People’s Republic of Mongolia, the Cyrillic alphabet was introduced from Russia and remains the official script in today’s democratic Mongolia. However, in recent years the traditional script has been taught in schools from the 6th grade and its informal use has been actively encouraged by the Mongolian government, which has plans to adopt the traditional script for official use alongside Cyrillic from 2025.
Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Chinese and Mongolian have both been official languages in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region. Mongolian language has been taught and Mongolian-language textbooks have been used in local schools. Thus ethnic Mongolian students have completed school and university education as fully bilingual.
However, in recent years the PRC government has increasingly undermined this level of linguistic diversity. On 17 August this year, just before Inner Mongolian schools re-opened, they announced a new education policy which would significantly reduce the use of Mongolian language and script in teaching key subjects, for which Mongolian-language textbooks would be phased out over the next two years. Furthermore, students would learn Chinese from textbooks entirely printed in Mandarin. This has provoked profound concern among parents and pupils alike, as well as from observers overseas.
Many have argued that reduced teaching in Mongolian language and script has serious implications for the continued survival of a language and culture of world historic significance. According to Professor Li Narangoa of the Australian National University, if this policy is implemented, ‘there will hardly be anyone writing and publishing books in Mongolian in the near future and that would be the end of both the Mongolian language and script’.
Other Mongolian and foreign scholars of Asian Studies have been expressing alarm over this matter. Professor Caroline Humphrey and Dr Uradyn Bulag of the University of Cambridge have also emphasised that the issue does not just concern the spoken language, but particularly the Mongolian script which is ‘a beacon for Mongols across the world’. Petitions in several countries have been organised and open letters sent to leading international organisations.
Being able to read and write the traditional script ensures the survival of Mongolian culture as a living entity that can be handed from generation to generation. Without this, the language and the culture could swiftly become something from the past, accessible only to scholars. For many individual Mongols this would fundamentally undermine their personal cultural identity.
Because the survival in Inner Mongolia of both written and spoken Mongolian is unique in the world, Mongolians worldwide, and all who treasure the legacy of Mongolian culture, are deeply concerned that this may be at risk.
It is clear that rather than facing arbitrary suppression, this noble language and script should be preserved and celebrated. In Britain, for example, we can see how promoting and teaching endangered languages such as Scottish Gaelic and Welsh has been outstandingly successful. As a result, their ancient cultures have significantly revived, to the great benefit of all.
Mongolian language and culture are part of the world’s heritage. They deserve proper respect and protection wherever they continue to flourish. It is the duty of the international community to say so.
Mongolian language and culture are part of the world’s heritage. They deserve proper respect and protection wherever they continue to flourish. It is the duty of the international community to say so.