Here's the breakdown:
Proper Noun:
* Refers to a specific group of people: When "Mongol" refers to the Mongolian people, it's a proper noun. For example: "The Mongols conquered a vast empire."
* Refers to a specific region or country: When "Mongol" refers to Mongolia, the country, it's also a proper noun. For example: "I traveled to Mongolia."
Common Noun:
* Refers to something general: When "Mongol" refers to something related to the Mongolian culture or language, it's a common noun. For example: "He studied Mongol history" or "She learned some basic Mongol phrases."
In short, whether "Mongol" is a proper or common noun depends on the context and what it specifically refers to.