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A Reader of the Classical Mongolian Script (17th–20th centuries) The history of the Written Mongolian language and the development of the Mongolian palaeography are divided into two main periods: the pre-classical period (from the oldest preserved documents written in Mongolian script approximately till the end of the 16th century) and the classical period (approximately from the first half of the 17th century till the first half of the 20th century). The majority of the presently known documents dated to the first period have been found as archaeological discoveries. The number of these manuscripts is limited and almost all of them have been made accessible in transcription. On the contrary, manuscripts of the second period form a prevalent part of Mongolian collections in the libraries all over the world. Even in the present times, manuscripts from the second period can often be found in private collections and households in Mongolia. As far as critical editions of the older Mongolian literature and archive documents are scarce, it is necessary for everyone studying older Mongolian literature or history to deal with original manuscripts. This publication is intended for students of Mongolian studies starting to read Mongolian manuscripts. This reader offers 37 samples of handwritten texts selected from Mongolian manuscripts from the Northern Mongolia (Khalkha) preserved in Czech collections. The samples are arranged chronologically and accompanied by transcription, translation and commentaries. Most of the texts have been taken from popular literary works commonly known and frequently copied during the 17th–19th centuries. The introductory part discusses the development of the Mongolian handwriting of the period, particularly questions of the chronology. I have suggested six approximative time segments (per 50–100 years) as to divide the classical period from the point of view of palaeography and codicology: 1. 1650s–1750s, 2. 1750s–1800s (calamus written manuscripts on Chinese multilayered paper in pothi format), 3. 1780s–1850s (mainly calamus written manuscripts on Russian handmade paper), 4. 1850s–1910s (mainly calamus written manuscripts on Russian machine-made paper), 5. 1850s–1921 (brush written manuscripts on Chinese double-leaved muutuu paper for private use; as to distinguish from brush written administrative documents preserved since the first half of the 18th century), 6. 1921–1941/45 (a transitional period during the first decades of the Mongolian People's Republic till the abolishment of the official use of the Mongolian script). |
