Б. К. Пашков.
Маньчжурский язык.
Москва: Наука, ГРВЛ, 1963.
68 с. ; 20 см. Мягкий переплет. Обычный формат. Тираж 1600 экз.
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B. K. Pashkov.
The Manchu Language.
Moscow: Nauka, GRVL, 1963.
68 pp. ; 20 cm. Softcover. Standard format. Edition of 1,600 copies.
This concise philological study, published within the specialized "Languages of the Peoples of Asia and Africa" series, remains a foundational Soviet reference for the study of the Manchu language. The text provides a deep dive into the internal logic of this Tungusic language, including the arrangement of its unique vertical script, phonetic system, and complex morphological structures. Written by the prominent linguist B. K. Pashkov, the monograph offers a systematic overview of the grammar and syntax that defined the official language of the Qing Dynasty, serving as a vital primary source for Mongolists, Altaicists, and historians of Central Asia.
The 1963 edition by the Main Editorial Office of Oriental Literature (GRVL) at "Nauka" publishers is particularly significant for its accessibility and scientific rigor during a period of renewed interest in Oriental studies. The book covers the historical development of the language and provides essential samples of Manchu text, complete with Russian transcriptions and analysis. Given its small print run of only 1,600 copies, this volume is a rare and highly sought-after item for academic collectors and specialists. It preserves the exact linguistic state of Manchu scholarship in the mid-20th century, documenting the preservation of a language that, while critically endangered, remains crucial for accessing thousands of historical documents from the imperial Chinese archives.