Abstract: Initially, the creation of minority characters aimed to change the backward cultural state of minority ethnic groups to fit socialist construction and development as soon as possible, improve the educational level and the cultural quality of minority ethnic groups and accelerate the development and inheritance of minority languages and cultures. The creation of Monguor characters in 1979 fully guaranteed the freedom of the Monguor people to use and develop their own native language and characters, which showed the responsibility of the Monguor intellectuals for the development of their native language and culture. To some extent, it also promoted the development of the Monguor language and culture. According to the investigation of the actual situation of the application, trial use of the new Monguor characters has ceased since 2001. The original goals were not realized effectively. Judging from the perspective of the development laws and social functions of a written language, Monguor characters lack the mass base and fail to effectively expand or make up for the communicative functions of the oral Monguor language. The role of Monguor writing in literacy education is limited.

Key words: minority languages, Monguor characters, Monguor language