Linguistic Diversity
The plaque on the Lizheng Gate, the main entrance to the Chengde Summer Resort, carries the name of the gate in five scripts - Manchu, Mongolian, Chinese, Tibetan, and Hui. When the Qing Empire was founded, Manchu, Mongolian, and Chinese were designated the official languages; later, with expansion of the Empire's territory, Tibetan (Tibetan/Tangut scripts) and Uighur were added. This linguistic diversity was a key feature of the Qing multi-ethnic state. In order to facilitate communication, the Qing court compiled a series of multi-lingual glossaries and publications. While the pre-eminence of the Manchu language and script was established in Qing linguistic policy, other ethnic groups were also able to continue to use their own languages and scripts.
The Creation of Manchu Alphabets
Originally, Manchuria did not have a written language. In 1599, Nurhaci, Emperor Taizu of Qing, decreed that Panchen Lama (?-1623) and Gagai (?-1600) borrow Mongolian alphabets to create Manchu alphabets as well as spread the Manchu alphabets. In 1632, Dahai (1595-1632) improved the Manchu alphabets based on reading and writing problems encountered, and added circles and dots next to the alphabets to make it easier to pronounce them. The improved alphabets are referred to as "circled Manchu alphabets" or "new Manchu alphabets," whereas those created during the Nurhaci period are referred to as "uncircled Manchu alphabets" or "old Manchu alphabets."
Imperial edict by the Qing Emperor Taizu, Nurhaci, on the establishment of the Manchu script
- From fascicle 2 of Daqing Taizu Wuhuangdi Shilu (Veritable Records of the Great Qing Emperor Wu, Taizu)
- Entry for the 1st day of the 2nd month of the 27th year (February 25, 1599), Qing dynasty
- First compiled edition
At first, Panchen Lama (?-1623) and Gagai (?-1600) declined the task of creating Manchu alphabets because the Manchus had been using Mongolian alphabets for a long time, and that the two did not know how to implement the change. However, Emperor Taizu of Qing (reign: 1616-1626) insisted that they make the change and provided them with basic alphabet-making principles, giving to the birth of Manchu alphabets.
Imperial edict by the Qing Emperor Taizong, Hong Taiji, on the revision of the Manchu script
- From fascicle 11 of Daqing Taizong Wenhuangdi Shilu (Veritable Records of the Great Qing Emperor Wen, Taizong)
- Entry for the 3rd month of the 6th year of the Tianzong reign (April to May, 1632), Qing dynasty
- Large red silk-bound edition
The old Manchu alphabets have no circles, making it easy to mistake people and places. Thus, in 1632, Emperor Taizong of Qing (reign: 1626-1643) decreed that Dahai (1595-1632) improve the old Manchu alphabets, adding circles to make pronunciations and meanings clearer, benefitting those learning the language.
Juwe juwa uju (Twelve Syllables in Manchu)
- Qing Dynasty Imprinted Machu edition
The Manchurian book here contains the text "juwan juwe uju" and a table of the twelve Manchurian syllables. The first prefix consists of six original sounds (a, e, i, o, u, and ū) and all complementary sounds (n, k, g, h, b, p, s, š, t, d, l, m, c, j, y, r, f, and w) that form syllables, and the second to twelfth prefixes consist of the first prefix and eleven phonemes (i, r, n, ng, k, s, t, d, o, l, and m) that form syllables. Such information helps Manchu language beginners practice their pronunciation.