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Mongolian Language

Монгол хэл

Introduction

Би монгол хэл жаахан мэднэ. Би уншиж, бичиж чадна. Монгол хэл сурах хэцүү. Би монгол хэлийг зайнаас сурсан. Би Индианагийн их сургуульд сурсан. Би 2022 онд Улаанбаатар хотод очсон. Би Америкийн Монгол Судлалын Төвийн шугамаар очсон. Би номын санд ажилладаг байсан. Бас, би Монголын Динозавр (Үлэг Гүвэлийг) Судлах Хүрээлэн хамтран ажилладаг. Би монгол хэлээ сайжруулмаар байна. Би дадлага хийх хэрэгтэй.

I know a little Mongolian language. I can read and write. Mongolian language is difficult to study. I studied Mongolian language by distance. I studied at Indiana University. I visited Ulaanbaatar in 2022. I visited the American Center for Mongolian Studies. I worked in the library. Also, I work with the Institute for the Study of Mongolian Dinosaurs. I want to improve my Mongolian language. I need to practice.

At-A-Glance

Native To	Mongolian Plateau
Native Speakers	2,808,070 (Ethnologue, 2021)
Language Family	Mongolic
Dialects	Khalkha, Chakhar, many others
Writing System	Cyrillic, Mongolian Script, 'Phags-pa (Historical), Soyombo (Historical)
Spoken In	Mongolia, China, Russia
Regulated By	State Language Council (Төрийн хэлний зөвлөл)
Observations	International Mother Language Day (February 21)

Web Resources

• Bolor Toli, online dictionary with audio (also available as an app).
• Forvo, pronunciation dictionary which features native speakers pronouncing nearly 2,000 Mongolian words.
• italki, global language learning community that connects students and teachers for 1-on-1 online language lessons.
• Mongolian Bichig, browser-based keyboard for Mongolian Script.
• Mongolian Keyboard, web-based Mongolian Cyrillic keyboard.
• Mongolian Language Quizlet Folder, my own Quizlet study sets, loosely based on the "625 words" list.
• U.S. Peace Corps resources, learning materials including flashcards, phrasebook, training book, and accompanying audio files.

Books

• Gaunt, John, & L. Bayarmandakh. (2004). Modern Mongolian: A Course-book. RoutledgeCurzon. [Internet Archive]
• Janhunen, Juha A. (2010). Mongolian. John Benjamins Publishing Company.
• Khalzaa, Bayarmaa. (2012). Mongolian Language for Beginners. Ulaanbaatar. [Monumenta Altaica]
• Kullmann, Rita. (2001). Mongolian Grammar. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: Institute of Language and Literature.
• Lubsangdorji, Judgeriin, & Jaroslav Vacek. (2004). Colloquial Mongolian: An Introductory Intensive Course. [Monumenta Altaica]
• Sanders, Alan J. K. (1999). Colloquial Mongolian: The Complete Course for Beginners. Routledge. [Internet Archive]

Language Learning Apps

Mongolian is not a particularly "popular" or widespread language, and is not offered by most of the widely-used and popular language learning apps, but there are a few I have found that offer at least some basic Mongolian:

• Anki, pretty popular flashcard program available as web-based, desktop, and mobile versions. Learners can create their own flashcards or download sets from the user community.
• Clozemaster, offers "cloze" style learning: select or enter the appropriate word from a sample sentence.
• Glossika, subscription-based mobile and web app that uses full-sentence input with special focus on pronunciation.
• Ling, subscription-based app that focuses on less common languages, particularly those from Asia and Eastern Europe.
• Memrise, another popular subscription-based flashcard program that offers basic content in Mongolian.
• Pronunciator, short daily lessons, custom and specialized courses. Available through many public or university libraries.
• Readlang, online ereader for language learners. Mongolian is currently offered in beta.
• Transparent Language, robust language learning program offered by many public and university libraries.

YouTube

• Easy Mongolian, series from Easy Languages, which uses informal street interviews for teaching languages.
• Learn Mongolian, channel dedicated to teaching Mongolian , including book read-alouds, grammar, vocabulary, and other highlights.
• Marchaakhai, educational program for children, includes songs, cartoons, and basic alphabet and language lessons.
• Mongolian Language | Nomiin Ger School , includes playlists and videos on Mongolian pronunciation, grammar, common words and phrases, and much more.
• Real Mongolia, "Mongolia through a Mongolian's perspective," not a language channel, but includes interesting "vox pop" interviews.
• Yong Xi'an International Studies University, this channel hosts writing and reading lessons in Mongolian script and Manchu.

References

• Eberhard, David M., Gary F. Simons, and Charles D. Fennig (eds.). (2021). Ethnologue: Languages of the World. Twenty-fourth edition. Dallas, Texas: SIL International.
• Nègre, Xavier. (2024). Mongolian dictionary. Lexilogos. Retrieved: https://www.lexilogos.com/english/mongolian_dictionary.htm