The Writing Features of the Letters “ḫ” (x or χ), “f”, and “v” (β) in the Manichean Script in Middle Iranian and Old Uyghur Manichean Texts

Abstract

Old Uygurs had a significant influence on many aspects of Sogdian people, and they also learned Manichaeism from them. One of the important interaction elements between these people is the Manichean script, which was taught by Manichean Sogdian monks to Old Uyghurs. Manichean Uyghurs used Manichean script for their religious texts, just like the other Manichean communities. In Addition to Old Uyghur and Sogdian, there are many texts in the Manichean script which were written in Parthian, Middle Persian, and some other Middle Iranian Languages in Turfan region. In this study, the writing features of the letters for the consonants voiceless, fricative, uvular ḫ (x or χ); voiceless, fricative, labiodental “f” and voiced, fricative, labiodental “v” (β), which were developed secondary to other letters, were examined; moreover, the determined samples were presented comparatively. While we were giving this, we also briefly mentioned the Manichean script, and the historical development of the writing, and the people who used it.