KHITAN SCRIPTS Meaning and
Definition
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Khitan scripts refer to a group of ancient scripts used by the Khitan people, a nomadic tribe inhabiting Northeast Asia during the 10th-12th centuries. These scripts are considered important historical artifacts and provide valuable insights into the languages and cultures of the Khitan civilization.
The Khitan scripts encompass several variants, the most significant being the Khitan large script, Khitan small script, and Khitan small script phonetic notation. The large script, also known as the "big script," was primarily used for recording official historical texts and inscriptions. It is characterized by its distinct, large-sized characters that are believed to have been adapted from Chinese characters but modified to suit the Khitan language.
On the other hand, the small script was predominantly employed for writing personal and private correspondences. It is smaller in size and exhibits more cursive and simplified forms compared to the large script. The small script phonetic notation, as the name suggests, was used for phonetically transcribing the Khitan language, which is believed to be of Tungusic origin.
The Khitan scripts are written vertically from top to bottom, with each character occupying a square space. The writing system employs a combination of logographic and phonetic elements, enabling the Khitan people to represent both sounds and meanings through their scripts.
While the Khitan civilization gradually declined and assimilated into other neighboring cultures, the Khitan scripts continue to be highly valued for their cultural and historical significance. They remain a subject of ongoing research and study, shedding light on the linguistic and social aspects of the Khitan people and their impact on Northeast Asia.
Etymology of KHITAN SCRIPTS
The word "khitan" refers to a medieval Central Asian ethno-linguistic group known as the Khitans. They formed the Khitan Empire, which existed from the 10th to the 12th century and encompassed parts of present-day China and Mongolia.
The Khitan people developed their own writing system called the Khitan script. This script is believed to have been influenced by various dead or living scripts of neighboring cultures, particularly the Chinese script, as well as the Old Uighur script. However, the exact origins and influences on the Khitan script remain a subject of scholarly debate.
So, the etymology of the term "khitan scripts" stems from the name of the Khitan people and their distinct writing system.
