What is the Phags-pa script?

The Phags-pa script is an alphabet designed by the Tibetan monk and State Preceptor, Drogön Chögyal Phagpa. It was created for Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan dynasty in China, to serve as a unified writing system for the various languages spoken within the empire.

Who designed the Phags-pa script and for whom was it created?

The Phags-pa script was designed by Drogön Chögyal Phagpa, a Tibetan monk who held the title of State Preceptor and later Imperial Preceptor. It was commissioned by Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan dynasty, to facilitate written communication across his vast empire.

What was the primary purpose of creating the Phags-pa script?

The primary purpose of the Phags-pa script was to establish a unified writing system that could be used across the diverse languages and regions within the Yuan dynasty's vast territory. This aimed to standardize written communication throughout the empire.

During which dynasty was the Phags-pa script primarily used, and for how long?

The Phags-pa script was primarily used during the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). Its practical use was limited to approximately one hundred years, and it fell out of common use with the subsequent Ming dynasty.

What languages could be written or transcribed using the Phags-pa script?

The Phags-pa script was designed to write and transcribe several languages spoken during the Yuan era. These included varieties of Chinese, Tibetic languages, Mongolian, the Old Uyghur language, Sanskrit, and possibly Persian.

How did the Phags-pa script influence historical linguistics?

For historical linguists, the use of the Phags-pa script provides valuable insights into the evolution and changes occurring in the various languages it was used to write during the Yuan period. It serves as a linguistic artifact reflecting the multilingual nature of the empire.

What are some of the different names by which the Phags-pa script is known?

The Phags-pa script is known by several names, reflecting its origins and appearance. These include "Mongolian script," "square script," "square writing," "new Mongolian script," "national script," and variations like Phaspa, Paspa, Baschpah, and Pa-sse-pa in English.

What was the motivation behind the Mongol rulers' desire for a universal script?

The Mongol rulers sought a universal script to facilitate communication and administration across the vast and diverse territories they controlled. This was driven by the need to unify the written languages of the various peoples subjugated by the Mongol Empire.

Why was the existing Mongolian alphabet insufficient for the diverse languages of the Mongol Empire?

The existing Mongolian alphabet, which was based on the Uyghur script, was not ideally suited for all the languages within the Mongol Empire. It proved impractical for languages with significantly different phonological systems, such as Chinese.

On what script was the Phags-pa script based?

The Phags-pa script was developed by extending the native Tibetan alphabet. Drogön Chögyal Phagpa adapted the Tibetan script to accommodate the sounds and structures of other languages, notably Mongolian and Central Plains Mandarin.

How did the Phags-pa script's writing direction differ from many other Brahmic scripts?

Unlike many other Brahmic scripts, which are typically written horizontally, the Phags-pa script was written vertically from top to bottom. This directionality was similar to how classical Chinese was traditionally written and how the Mongolian and Manchu alphabets are written.

What was the general reception of the Phags-pa script among the Mongol elite?

The Phags-pa script did not achieve widespread popularity or acceptance, even among the Mongol elite. While it served as an official script for a period, it was not embraced as enthusiastically as other writing systems.

How is the Phags-pa script written, despite being an alphabet?

Although it is an alphabet, the Phags-pa script is written in a manner resembling a syllabary or abugida. Its letters are joined together to form syllabic blocks, where consonants and vowels are linked within a single unit.

What is unique about the representation of vowels in the Phags-pa script compared to the Tibetan script?

In the Phags-pa script, vowel letters retain distinct initial forms and are not used as diacritics attached to consonants, unlike in the Tibetan script. However, the short 'a' vowel is typically not written unless it is at the beginning of a word.

What are the different graphic forms that the Phags-pa script took?

The Phags-pa script existed in several graphic forms. These included a standard blocky form, a more angular "Tibetan" form composed of straight lines and right angles, and an elaborate "seal script" form used for official purposes, characterized by sinusoidal lines and spirals.

How many basic letters does the Phags-pa script contain?

The Phags-pa script comprises 41 basic letters. These letters include base consonants, vowels, and additional characters designed to represent sounds not found in the Tibetan language.

What is the purpose of the additional letters in the Phags-pa script?

The additional letters in the Phags-pa script were specifically created to represent sounds that do not exist in Tibetan. These often correspond to sounds found in Sanskrit or other languages transcribed using the script.

What is the Menggu Ziyun, and how does it relate to the Phags-pa script?

The Menggu Ziyun (Mongolian Dictionary) was a Yuan dynasty text that presented the initials of the Phags-pa script. It organized these initials according to the traditional Chinese philological system of 36 initials, providing a structured overview of the script's consonantal sounds.

How was the Shilin Guangji significant in the use of Phags-pa?

The Shilin Guangji, a collection of Chinese poems and texts, utilized the Phags-pa script to provide phonetic annotations for Chinese characters. This function served as an early form of phonetic transcription, similar to modern systems like Pinyin.

When was the Phags-pa script officially added to the Unicode Standard?

The Phags-pa script was officially incorporated into the Unicode Standard in July 2006, with the release of version 5.0.

What is the Unicode block range allocated for the Phags-pa script?

The Phags-pa script is represented in the Unicode Standard within the block U+A840 to U+A877.

What is the phonetic value of the Phags-pa letter U+A842 in the Menggu Ziyun, and what is its Tibetan derivation?

In the Menggu Ziyun, the Phags-pa letter U+A842, which is derived from the Tibetan letter 'ga' (U+0F42), represents the phonetic value /g/. This letter is used for the sound 'g' in various transcriptions.

Which Phags-pa letter represents the sound /ts/ and what is its corresponding Chinese character in the Menggu Ziyun?

In the Menggu Ziyun, the Phags-pa letter U+A850, representing the sound /ts/, corresponds to the Chinese character 邃 (suì) in the table provided.

What is the function of the null base consonant 'A' (Letter 30) in the Phags-pa script?

The null base consonant 'A', represented by the Phags-pa letter U+A85D, serves as a placeholder. It is used for initial vowels, semi-vowels, diphthongs, and digraphs when they appear at the beginning of a word or syllable.

How does the Phags-pa script's structure relate to syllabaries and abugidas?

Despite being an alphabet, the Phags-pa script's method of linking letters to form syllabic blocks gives it characteristics similar to syllabaries and abugidas. This structure is a departure from the independent letter forms typical of many alphabets.

What was the "seal script" form of Phags-pa used for?

The "seal script" form of the Phags-pa script, characterized by elaborate, curved lines, was primarily used for official purposes such as imperial seals and other ceremonial inscriptions.

What is the significance of the Phags-pa script being part of the Brahmic family of scripts?

The Phags-pa script's inclusion in the Brahmic family of scripts connects it historically and typologically to ancient Indian writing systems like Brahmi, from which it ultimately derives. This lineage also links it to numerous scripts used across South and Southeast Asia.

Which Phags-pa letter is never found in an initial position?

The Phags-pa letter U+A866, representing the sound 'ee', is noted as never appearing in an initial position in any language written with the script.

What is the purpose of the Phags-pa letters U+A874 and U+A875 in Unicode?

In the Unicode standard, the Phags-pa letters U+A874 and U+A875 represent marks used in the script: U+A874 is the 'Single Head Mark,' and U+A875 is the 'Double Head Mark.'

What are some key resources for further study of the Phags-pa script?

Key resources for further study include academic works by scholars such as Nicholas Poppe, W. South Coblin, and Karl-Heinz Everding, as well as online resources like BabelStone, Omniglot, and Ancientscripts, which often provide detailed descriptions and fonts.

What was the role of Drogön Chögyal Phagpa in the creation of the script?

Drogön Chögyal Phagpa was the designer of the Phags-pa script. As the Tibetan monk and State Preceptor to Kublai Khan, he was tasked with creating this new writing system to unify the empire's diverse languages.

How did the Phags-pa script contribute to the concept of a unified empire under Kublai Khan?

By attempting to create a single script for all languages within the Yuan dynasty, the Phags-pa script represented a tangible effort towards cultural and administrative unification, reflecting Kublai Khan's vision for his empire.

What are the "Mongol elements in Western medieval art" mentioned in relation to the Phags-pa script?

The text mentions that during the Pax Mongolica, the Phags-pa script appeared in Western medieval art. This suggests that the script, likely through trade or diplomatic exchanges, found its way into artistic creations in regions outside of Asia.

What is the meaning of the Mongolian terms "dörvöljin üseg" and "dörvöljin bichig"?

In Mongolian, "dörvöljin üseg" translates to "square script," and "dörvöljin bichig" translates to "square writing." Both terms refer to the distinctive shape of the Phags-pa script.

How did the Phags-pa script's design accommodate the sounds of Chinese, specifically Central Plains Mandarin?

The Phags-pa script was adapted from the Tibetan alphabet to encompass sounds found in languages like Central Plains Mandarin. This involved creating new letters or modifying existing ones to represent phonemes present in Chinese but absent in Tibetan.

What is the significance of the Phags-pa script's vertical writing direction in relation to other scripts?

The vertical, top-to-bottom writing direction of the Phags-pa script aligns it with classical Chinese writing practices and the Mongolian and Manchu alphabets, distinguishing it from many other Brahmic scripts that are written horizontally.

What was the primary use of the Phags-pa script after the fall of the Yuan dynasty?

After the Yuan dynasty, the Phags-pa script's use diminished significantly. It was mainly employed as a phonetic gloss to assist Mongols in learning Chinese characters, rather than for general writing.

What is the relationship between the Phags-pa script and the development of Hangul?

Korean records suggest a potential link between the Phags-pa script and the creation of Hangul, the Korean alphabet. The "Old Seal Script" mentioned in these records may refer to the Phags-pa script, particularly its Chinese name "Mongolian Seal Script."

What is the phonetic value of the Phags-pa letter U+A856 (Small A) in Unicode, and how is it transliterated?

The Unicode character U+A856 represents the Phags-pa Letter Small A. In Unicode transliteration, it is represented by U+A78F, the Latin Letter Sinological Dot, indicating its function as a marker or separator.

What are the "shad" marks in the Phags-pa script (U+A876, U+A877) used for?

The Phags-pa script includes specific marks designated in Unicode as U+A876 (Mark Shad) and U+A877 (Mark Double Shad). These marks likely served as punctuation or structural indicators within the script.

Which Phags-pa letter represents the sound /ts/ and what is its corresponding Chinese character in the Menggu Ziyun?

In the Menggu Ziyun section of the article, the Phags-pa letter U+A850, which represents the sound /ts/, is associated with the Chinese character 邃 (suì).

What is the purpose of the Phags-pa letters U+A874 and U+A875 in Unicode?

In the Unicode standard, the Phags-pa letters U+A874 and U+A875 are designated as 'Single Head Mark' and 'Double Head Mark,' respectively, likely serving as specific typographical or structural markers within the script.

What is the phonetic value of the Phags-pa letter U+A840 in the Menggu Ziyun, and what is its Tibetan derivation?

In the Menggu Ziyun, the Phags-pa letter U+A840, derived from the Tibetan letter 'ka' (U+0F40), represents the phonetic value /k/. This letter is fundamental for transcribing syllables starting with 'k'.

What is the significance of the Phags-pa script's inclusion in the Brahmic family of scripts?

The Phags-pa script's classification within the Brahmic family highlights its historical lineage, tracing back to the Brahmi script of ancient India. This connection places it within a broad tradition of writing systems that influenced much of Asia.

What is the phonetic value of the Phags-pa letter U+A853 in the Menggu Ziyun, and what is its Tibetan derivation?

The Phags-pa letter U+A853, derived from the Tibetan letter 'wa' (U+0F5D), represents the phonetic value /w/ in the Menggu Ziyun. It is used for transcribing words beginning with this sound.

What is the purpose of the Phags-pa letter U+A856 (Small A) in Unicode?

The Phags-pa letter U+A856, known as 'Small A,' serves a specific role in the script, often acting as a separator or marker. Its Unicode representation is linked to the Latin Letter Sinological Dot (U+A78F).

What is the phonetic value of the Phags-pa letter U+A844 in the Menggu Ziyun, and what is its Tibetan derivation?

In the Menggu Ziyun, the Phags-pa letter U+A844, derived from the Tibetan letter 'ca' (U+0F45), represents the phonetic value /ts/. This letter is used for sounds similar to the 'ts' in 'cats'.

What is the phonetic value of the Phags-pa letter U+A85A in the Menggu Ziyun, and what is its Tibetan derivation?

The Phags-pa letter U+A85A, derived from the Tibetan letter 'sha' (U+0F64), represents the phonetic value /ʃ/ (sh) in the Menggu Ziyun. This sound is common in many languages, including English 'sh'.

What is the phonetic value of the Phags-pa letter U+A85C in the Menggu Ziyun, and what is its Tibetan derivation?

In the Menggu Ziyun, the Phags-pa letter U+A85C, derived from the Tibetan letter 'ha' (U+0F67), represents the phonetic value /h/. This is a common aspirated sound found across many languages.

What is the phonetic value of the Phags-pa letter U+A841 in the Menggu Ziyun, and what is its Tibetan derivation?

The Phags-pa letter U+A841, derived from the Tibetan letter 'kha' (U+0F41), represents the aspirated phonetic value /kʰ/ in the Menggu Ziyun. This sound is similar to the 'k' in 'kite' but with a stronger puff of air.

U02bcphags-pa Script Wiki: The \u02bcPhags-pa Script: A Yuan Dynasty Linguistic Tapestry

Nomenclature

Script Names

The \u02bcPhags-pa script is known by various names reflecting its origins and appearance. In Tibetan, it is referred to as hor yig gsar pa, meaning "new Mongolian script." The Mongolians themselves called it d\u00f6rv\u00f6ljin \u00fcseg or d\u00f6rbel\u01f0in bi\u010dig, translating to "square script" or "square writing," a descriptor derived from its distinctive geometric forms.

Chinese Designations

Within the Yuan dynasty's Chinese administration, the script was termed monggoli xinzi (m\u011bngg\u01d4 x\u012bnz\u00ec), signifying "new Mongolian script." It was also designated as guozhi (gu\u00f3z\u00ec), meaning "national script." Later Chinese references include b\u0101s\u012bb\u0101 w\u00e9n ("\u02bcPhags-pa script") and p\u00e0k\u00e8s\u012bb\u0101. English transliterations vary, including Phagspa, Paspa, Baschpah, and Pa-sse-pa.

Historical Context

Imperial Mandate

The \u02bcPhags-pa script emerged from the Mongol Empire's desire for a unified script to administer its vast, multilingual territories. Commissioned by Kublai Khan around 1269, it was designed by the Tibetan lama Drog\u00f6n Ch\u00f6gyal Phagpa. The script was intended to serve as a universal writing system across the empire, adapting the Tibetan alphabet to accommodate the phonologies of languages like Middle Mongol and varieties of Chinese.

Limited Lifespan and Legacy

Despite its imperial backing, the \u02bcPhags-pa script saw limited widespread adoption and fell out of common use shortly after the Yuan dynasty's decline in the mid-14th century. Its usage persisted primarily as a phonetic gloss for Mongols learning Chinese characters. Intriguingly, its distinctive forms influenced later scripts and even appeared in Western medieval art during the Pax Mongolica.

Script Design and Structure

Brahmic Roots and Verticality

As a descendant of the Tibetan script, \u02bcPhags-pa belongs to the Brahmic family of scripts, sharing lineage with systems like Devanagari and those used across Southeast and Central Asia. Uniquely among Brahmic scripts, it was primarily written vertically, from top to bottom, mirroring the traditional Chinese writing orientation and the later Mongolian and Manchu alphabets.

Syllabic Assembly

While fundamentally an alphabet, \u02bcPhags-pa exhibits characteristics of syllabaries and abugidas. Its letters are joined or "ligated" together to form distinct syllabic blocks. This structure, combined with specific rules for initial vowels and semi-vowels, creates a unique visual representation of language, often requiring a null base consonant for initial vowel sounds.

The \u02bcPhags-pa Alphabet

Core Consonants and Vowels

The script comprises 41 basic letters, largely derived from the Tibetan alphabet's structure. The initial 30 letters correspond to Tibetan consonants, while additional letters represent sounds absent in Tibetan or derived from complex Tibetan forms. Vowels are represented by distinct letters, unlike the diacritic system common in many Brahmic scripts.

The basic letters are organized based on Tibetan phonetic order, with inherent vowel sounds. Special attention is given to initial vowels, diphthongs, and digraphs, which often require a null base consonant ('A) for proper representation.

Basic \u02bcPhags-pa Letters
No.	Letter	Derivation	Transliteration	Notes
1	\ua840 k	\u0f40	k	Standard form; used for foreign words like Sanskrit 'kalpa'.
2	\ua841 kh	\u0f41	kh	Represents aspirated 'k'.
3	\ua842 g	\u0f42	g	Used for words like Mongolian 'bi\u010dig' (document).
4	\ua843 ng	\u0f44	ng	Represents the velar nasal sound.
5	\ua84a t	\u0f4f	t	Used for foreign words like Mongolian 'tengri'.
31	\ua85e i	\u0f72	i	Initial vowel 'i'.
32	\ua85f u	\u0f74	u	Initial vowel 'u'.
33	\ua860 e	\u0f7a	e	Initial vowel 'e'.
34	\ua861 o	\u0f7c	o	Initial vowel 'o'.
30	\ua85d 'a	\u0f68	'a	Null base consonant, used for initial vowels or specific phonetic contexts.

Note: This is a partial representation of the basic letters. Refer to the full Unicode chart for comprehensive details.

Typographic Variations

The script manifested in several graphic forms. The standard form featured blocky, angular shapes. A distinct "Tibetan" form was even more geometrically rigid. Additionally, a "seal script" variant, used for official seals and inscriptions, presented a more elaborate design with intricate lines and spirals, reflecting its imperial context.

The visual appearance of \u02bcPhags-pa varied significantly depending on its application, ranging from functional standard forms to ornate seal scripts used for official purposes.

Standard Form

Characterized by its angular, block-like structure, suitable for general writing.

Tibetan Form

An even more geometrically rigid style, emphasizing orthogonal lines.

Seal Script

An elaborate variant used for imperial seals, featuring complex sinusoidal lines and spirals.

Menggu Ziyun Initials

Classification System

The Menggu Ziyun, a significant Yuan dynasty text, classified the \u02bcPhags-pa script's initial sounds according to the traditional Chinese philological system of 36 initials. This organization reflects the script's adaptation to Chinese phonology.

36 Initials in *Menggu Ziyun*
No.	Name	Phonetic Value	\u02bcPhags-pa Letter	Initial	Notes
1	見 jiàn	*[k]	\ua842 g	g-	Corresponds to the voiced velar plosive.
2	溪 qī	*[kʰ]	\ua841 kh	kh-	Represents the aspirated voiceless velar plosive.
3	群 qún	*[g]	\ua840 k	k-	Corresponds to the voiced velar plosive, distinct from 'g'.
4	疑 yí	*[ŋ]	\ua843 ng	ng-	Represents the velar nasal.
5	端 duān	*[t]	\ua84a t	d-	Represents the alveolar plosive.
6	透 tòu	*[tʰ]	\ua849 th	th-	Represents the aspirated alveolar plosive.
7	竹 zhú	*[d]	\ua852 dz	dz-	Represents the voiced alveolar affricate.

Note: This table presents a selection of the 36 initials for illustrative purposes.

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the ʼPhags-pa script Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence, drawing upon historical and linguistic data. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It may not capture the full nuance or latest scholarly interpretations of the \u02bcPhags-pa script.

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The \u02bcPhags-pa Script

Nomenclature 🏷️

🗣️ Script Names

🇨🇳 Chinese Designations

Historical Context ⏳

👑 Imperial Mandate

📜 Limited Lifespan and Legacy

Script Design and Structure 📐

🔗 Brahmic Roots and Verticality

🧩 Syllabic Assembly

The \u02bcPhags-pa Alphabet 🔤

🗂️ Core Consonants and Vowels

🎨 Typographic Variations

🔷 Standard Form

📐 Tibetan Form

👑 Seal Script

Menggu Ziyun Initials 📚

🈴 Classification System

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

True or False? 🤔

❓ Test Your Knowledge! ❓

Gamer's Corner 🎮

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References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Nomenclature

Script Names

Chinese Designations

Historical Context

Imperial Mandate

Limited Lifespan and Legacy

Script Design and Structure

Brahmic Roots and Verticality

Syllabic Assembly

The \u02bcPhags-pa Alphabet

Core Consonants and Vowels

Typographic Variations

Standard Form

Tibetan Form

Seal Script

Menggu Ziyun Initials

Classification System

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice