MultiTree:

Name: Kitan Type: Language Alternate Names: Liao; Khitan Code: zkt Code Standard: ISO 639-3 Documentation: LINGUIST List Families: Mongolian Parent Subgroup: Mongolian; Mongolian languages; Mongolic; Mongolisch; Mongol group; Mongolsk; Mongol; Mongolische Sprachen; Proto-Mongolian; Proto-Mongol (mong) Brief Description: The extinct language of the Kitan or Khitan dynasty, who at one time ruled much of Mongolia, Manchuria and northern China. They are called Liao in Chinese sources. The Kitan used two distinct scripts. One, called the "large script" is largely logographic, and contains many signs drawn from Chinese. The second one, called the "small script", was reputedly created by the Khitan scholar Diela around 925 CE with inspiration from the Uyghur alphabet. It is a mixture of logograms, syllabic and even alphabetical signs. 916 - 1125 AD.

Endangerment Status

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Linguist List Status: Extinct