The Development of the Mongolian Language
Genghis Khan realized that every successful empire need a good, written language that could help in not only trade, but the keeping of their history. In 1204, even before he gained the title of "Genghis Khan," Temujin assigned one of his Uyghur (Early Turkish Nomads)retainers to develop a written language for the Mongols based upon the Uyghur script. Later, after his death, Genghis Khan's grandson Khubilai Khan continued his grandfather's dream. Khubilai Khan commanded the Tibetan 'Phags-pa Lama to develop the new script, which came to be known as "the Square Script" or the 'Phags-pa script. Completed around 1269, the Square Scriptwas a remarkable effort to devise a new written language. It wasn't very popular, but a big step forward to a language. It is still used toady, but only for official use, such as being used on paper money and official seals. Although not many people used the language, it wasn't a complete failure. Based on this new language, each little region of Mongolia started to develop each of its own languages. Some grew more popular than others, but most are still in use today. Without Genghis Khan's valiant efforts, Mongolia would still not have its own language!