What is Manchu language?
The '''Manchu language''' (Manchu: {{MongolUnicode|lang=mnc|ᠮᠠᠨᠵᡠ <br>ᡤᡳᠰᡠᠨ}}, manju gisun) is a [[Tungusic languages|Tungustic language]] and it was the native language of the [[Manchu|Manchu people]] before and during the [[Qing dynasty]]. The Manchus are the [[Ethnic group|ethnic]] [[Minority group|minority]] in [[China]] that overthrew the [[Ming dynasty]] in 1644 and took over the country. When they ruled, they formed the Qing dynasty. Manchu uses a version of the [[Mongolian script]] that was changed to better suit the language. For the first 200 years, it was the official language in the courts, although [[commoners]] still spoke [[Chinese language|Chinese]]. However, during the mid-1800s, it became more common for the Manchu [[Nobility|nobles]] to speak Chinese as their first language.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://omniglot.com/writing/manchu.htm|title=Manchu alphabet and language|website=omniglot.com|access-date=2019-01-09}}</ref> As a matter of fact, China's last [[emperor]], [[Puyi|Aisin Gioro Puyi]], knew very little Manchu and spoke Chinese as his first language. Nonetheless, Manchu was still written alongside Chinese in official documents until the end of [[Imperial China]]. Even though China today has 10 million Manchus, only 20 people speak Manchu today. This makes Manchu a critically endangered language.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/saving-the-manchu-language-9-critically-endangered-languages-from-around-the-world|title=Saving the Manchu language: 9 critically endangered languages from around the world|date=29 June 2016|last=Weers|first=Nicole|website=The Strait Times|access-date=12 January 2019}}</ref> Almost all Manchus today speak Mandarin Chinese as their first language. == References == {{reflist}} {{Languages of China}} [[Category:Languages of China]]