Old Uyghur Unicode Block

The Unicode block "Old Uyghur" is a recently proposed inclusion in the Unicode Standard aimed at representing the Old Uyghur script, which was historically used to write the Old Uyghur language. This script originated from the Sogdian alphabet and was the writing system for the Uyghur Khaganate, which played a significant role in Central Asia from the 8th to the 14th centuries. The Old Uyghur script is an abjad, meaning that it primarily represents consonants, with some modifications, to indicate vowel sounds. Its usage extended to various other Turkic languages, influencing subsequent scripts like the Mongolian and Manchu scripts. The Old Uyghur block in Unicode allows for the preservation and digital representation of historical texts, ensuring that the rich linguistic and cultural heritage associated with the script is accessible to contemporary scholars and enthusiasts worldwide.

Incorporating the Old Uyghur script into Unicode is significant for both historical research and educational purposes, providing a standardized method of encoding that facilitates digital processing, display, and data interchange on modern computing systems. By having a dedicated Unicode block, linguists and historians can more easily transcribe and analyze Old Uyghur manuscripts, enhancing understanding of its historical use in administrative, religious, and literary contexts. The digitization of this script opens avenues for comparative studies with related scripts and languages, offering insights into the cultural and historical exchanges along the Silk Road. With its inclusion, Unicode continues its mission of supporting the world's linguistic diversity, ensuring that heritage scripts like Old Uyghur are preserved in the digital age.

View a range of fonts that support the Old Uyghur block.

Below you will find all the characters that are in the Old Uyghur unicode block. Currently there are 26 characters in this block.