Mongolian Language: 10 Popular Questions Answered

Table of Contents:

1. Where is the Mongolian language spoken?
2. How old is the Mongolian language?
3. How many people speak the Mongolian language?
4. Where to buy a complete Mongolian language course
5. Is Mongolian hard to learn?
6. Is Mongolian different to Chinese (Chinese vs Mongolian)?
7. What language is mutually intelligible to Mongolian?
8. What type of language is Mongolian?
9. What are the best books to learn Mongolian?
10. How many Mongolian dialects are there?

Where is the Mongolian language spoken?

The Mongolian language is spoken primarily in Mongolia, where it is the official language. It is also spoken by a significant number of people in the Inner Mongolia region of China, as well as in other parts of the world where Mongolian communities have been established, such as in Russia and Kazakhstan.

How old is the Mongolian language?

The Mongolian language is very old, with a recorded history that dates back to the 13th century. However, the exact age of the language is difficult to determine, as it has evolved and changed over time. Some of the earliest written records of the Mongolian language date back to the 13th century, when the Mongols were ruled by Genghis Khan. These early writings were written in a script known as the Uighur script, which was used by the Mongols to write a variety of languages. Over time, the Mongolian language has continued to evolve and change, with various dialects and writing systems emerging. Today, the Mongolian language is spoken by millions of people around the world, and it continues to be an important part of the cultural heritage of Mongolia.

How many people speak the Mongolian language?

According to Ethnologue, about 5.2 million people speak Mongolian as their first language. It is the official language of Mongolia and is also spoken by ethnic Mongolian communities in other parts of the world, such as China and Russia.

Where to buy a complete Mongolian language course

At present, the only decent and reputable Mongolian language course (online) is the Cudoo Mongolian Course. It's priced at $12.99 and covers the essentials of the Mongolian language for beginner learners (see the course here - once you visit the link, type in 'Mongolian').

Is Mongolian hard to learn?

Mongolian is considered to be a difficult language for English speakers to learn because it has a complex grammar and a different writing system. However, the difficulty of learning any language can vary depending on the individual learner and their language learning experience. It's always a good idea to try to learn a language that interests you and to approach it with a positive attitude. With dedication and practice, you can become proficient in Mongolian.

Is Mongolian different to Chinese (Chinese vs Mongolian)?

Mongolian and Chinese are not similar languages. Mongolian is a language of the Mongolic language family, which is related to other languages like Buryat and Kalmyk. Chinese, on the other hand, is a language of the Sino-Tibetan language family. While they may have some similarities in terms of their grammar and writing systems, they are not mutually intelligible and require separate study.

What language is mutually intelligible to Mongolian?

Mongolian is not mutually intelligible with any other language. However, the Khalkha dialect of Mongolian, which is spoken by about 80% of Mongolians, is considered the standard language and is used in education, media, and government. Some people who speak other Mongolian dialects may be able to understand Khalkha Mongolian to some extent, but it is not a guarantee.

What type of language is Mongolian?

Mongolian is a language of the Mongolic language family. It is an agglutinative language, which means that words are formed by adding suffixes to a root word. Mongolian is written in the Cyrillic alphabet, which was introduced to Mongolia in the 1940s. Before that, it was written using the traditional Mongolian script, which is still used in Inner Mongolia and by some Mongols in China. The Mongolian language has a rich literary tradition and has been influenced by many other languages, including Chinese, Russian, and Turkic languages.

What are the best books to learn Mongolian?

The best book to learn Mongolian is without doubt, Survival Mongolian by Batjargal Damdinjav. Another excellent book for learning Mongolian is Colloquial Mongolian: The Complete Course for Beginners by Jantsangiyn Bat-Ireedui.

How many Mongolian dialects are there?

It is difficult to say exactly how many dialects of Mongolian there are, as there is no consensus on the exact definition of a dialect. Some sources say there are around 20 dialects of Mongolian, while others say there are as many as 80. The Khalkha dialect, which is spoken by about 80% of Mongolians, is considered the standard language and is used in education, media, and government. Other major dialects include Oirat, Buryat, and Kalmyk. Many of these dialects are not mutually intelligible, so speakers of different dialects may need to use the standard Khalkha dialect to communicate with each other.