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Dragon Language
Provided by the Skyrim Game Guide and in game dialogue translations by Alduin, Paarthurnax, Odahviing, and Durnehviir.
Some can also be found in the books, Dragon Language: Myth no More and Songs of Skyrim[1].
Pronunciation
Some people may find the pronunciation of the Dragon Alphabet digraphs "aa", "ah", "ei", "ey", "ii", "ir", "uu", "ur", and "oo" to be confusing.
Digraph | IPA | Example |
---|---|---|
aa | /æ/ | trap, bad, ham |
ah | /ɔ/ | thought, taut, hawk |
ei, ey | /iː/ | fleece, seed, key |
ii | /ɪ/ | kit, ship, rip |
ir, ur | /ɛr/ | square, care, air |
oo | /uː/ | goose, group, few |
However, assuming that the initial syllables heard in the musical pieces for the game are the standard form, then the language takes on a more Scandinavian sound:
"aa" and "ah" are both a long, open "a" /aː/, the latter, however, being formed more gutturally (sometimes becoming /ɔː/).
"oo" is used in the instances where the normal "o" sound /o/ (English "port") needs to become long (/oː/), as in the English "door". Only "uu" takes on the sound of an English double-"o" (see the above examples). "ii" would tend to be longer (/ɪː/).
"ir" and "ur" equate to /ɪr/ and /ur/, respectively.
Finally, there is a difference between "ei" and "ey" in that "ei" is pronounced as in German, producing a vowel as in price. "Ey," on the other hand, sounds as in face.
These discrepancies in pronunciation most likely result from the fact that many of these phonemes are not native to (or not the standard in) the English language, as well as the fact that most dovahhe only periodically speak in their native language, so that it wasn't deemed important by Bethesda to properly instruct the voice actors in the pronunciation of the language. This is particularly evident in the fact that most dragons, in the game, do not roll their "r"s; both the Main Theme and the Following (Sovngarde Theme Song), however, feature them exclusively.
Grammar
The language has basically the same grammar as English, with the exceptions that it doesn't have an equivalent to English's apostrophes, it tends to place prepositional phrases earlier in sentences than English does, and it doesn't have tense.[2] To make a word plural, two letters are added to the end of the word, the first being the last letter in the singular form, and the second being an "e".
Words are constructed in such a way that, when combined, form new words. A known construction is "Junnesejer" which means "the kings of the east." "Jun" being King and "Jer" being East. Thus, combining words will allow you to convey an idea or another word. For Example: Moon and Eclipse are not part of the vocabulary, but Sun (Krein) and Night (Vulon) are. The word is based on which of the words come first, because the first word is prominent. If you were to say VulonKrien then the prominent word is Night while the secondary is Sun, and you would have Moon (i.e A light in the night). Vice versa with KrienVulon, the sun is prominent and night is secondary so you would have Eclipse (Darkness where the sun is). With Junnesejer, it means The kings of the east. But if you were to put it as Jersejun it would say East King. "se" is a conjunction between words that are combined to fill in the particles but its just as easily understood without it.
(i.e KrienseVulon=KrienVulon both mean Eclipse)
Common words
Dragon Language | English |
---|---|
Aak | Guide[3] |
Aal | May (as in "May his soul") |
Aam | Serve[4][5] |
Aan | A/An |
Aar | Servant |
Aav | Join |
Aaz | Mercy |
Ag | Burn |
Ah | Hunter |
Ahmik | Service |
Ahmul | Husband |
Ahkrin | Courage |
Ahraan | Wound[3] |
Ahrk | And |
Ahrol | Hill[6] |
Ahst | At[3] |
Ahzid | Bitter |
Al | Destroyer |
Alok | Arise[7] |
Alok-Dilon | Necromancy (Arise-Dead)[8] |
Alun | Ever |
Aus | Suffer |
Bah | Wrath |
Bahlaan | Worthy[3][4] |
Bahlok | Hunger |
Bein | Foul |
Beyn | Scorn |
Bex | Open[9] |
Bo | Fly[3][4] |
Bodiis | Borrow |
Bok | Age[1] |
Bolog | Beg[5] |
Bonaar | Humble[7] |
Bormah | Father |
Bovul | Flee / Fled[10] |
Boziik | Bold / Boldly |
Brendon | Specter |
Brii | Beauty |
Briinah | Sister |
Brit | Beautiful[4] |
Brod | Clan |
Brom | North |
Bron |
Nord |
Bruniik | Savage[3] |
Du'ul | Crown[11] |
Daanik | Doomed[10] |
Dah | Push |
Dahmaan | Remember |
Daal | Return |
Daar | This / These |
Denek | Soil |
Dein | Keep |
Dez | Fate |
Dii | Mine |
Diil | Undead[12] |
Diin | Freeze |
Diivon | Swallow |
Dir | Die |
Dinok | Death[8] |
Dilon | Dead[3] |
Do | Of / About |
Dok | Hound |
Dov | Dragonkind (referring to the race of dragons) |
Dovah | Dragon |
Dovahgolz | Dragonstone |
Dovahkiin | Dragonborn |
Draal | Pray |
Dreh | Do / Does |
Drem |
Peace / Patience |
Drem Yol Lok | Greetings (literally 'peace fire sky') |
Drey | Did[10] |
Drog | Lord |
Drun | Bring/Brought |
Du | Devour |
Dur | Curse |
Dukaan | Dishonour |
Dun | Grace |
Dwiin | Steel |
Dwiirok | Carve |
Ek | Her |
Enook | Each |
Ensosin | Bewitch |
Evenaar | Extinguish |
Egvir | Season |
Faad | Warmth |
Faal | The (formal, preceeding a proper noun, "Faal Krein" for "The Sun") |
Faas | Fear |
Faasnu | Fearless |
Fah | For |
Fahdon | Friend |
Fahliil | Elf |
Feim | Fade |
Fel | Feral |
Fen | Will |
Fent | Shall |
Feykro | Forest |
Feyn | Bane |
Fiik | Mirror |
Filok | Escape |
Fin | The (rarely used) |
Fo | Frost |
Fod | When |
Fodiiz | Hoar |
Folaas | Wrong |
Folook | Haunt |
Fonaar | Charge |
Frin | Hot |
Frod | Field |
Fron | Kin / Related |
Frul | Ephemeral / Temporary |
Ful | So |
Fun | Told |
Fundein | Unfurl |
Funt | Fail |
Fus | Force |
Gaaf | Ghost |
Gaan | Stamina |
Gahrot | Steal[10] |
Geh | Yes |
Gein | One (to a single person or thing) |
Geinmaar | Oneself |
Gogil | Goblin |
Gol | Earth |
Golt | Ground |
Golz | Stone |
Govey | Remove |
Graan | Rout (verb) |
Grah | Battle |
Grahmindol | Stratagem |
Grah-Zeymahzin | Ally (Battle-Companion)[8] |
Gravuun | Autumn[10] |
Grik | Such |
Grind | Meet |
Grohiik | Wolf |
Gron | Bind |
Gut | Far |
Haal | Hand |
Haas | Health |
Haalvut | Touch (noun or verb) |
Hadrim, Hahdrim | Mind (noun) |
Hahkun | Axe |
Hahnu | Dream |
Heim | Forge |
Het | Here |
Hevno | Brutal |
Heyv | Duty[3][5] |
Hind | Wish, Hope |
Hin | Your |
Hofkah | Steading[13] |
Hokoron | Enemy / Enemies |
Horvut | Lure[4] |
Horvutah | Caught[4] |
Hon | Hear ("Nust hon" - They hear) |
Hun | Hero |
Huzrah | Hearken |
Iiz | Ice |
In | Master |
Jer | East |
Joor | Mortal |
Jot | Maw |
Jul | Man / Mankind / Humans (see also "Muz") |
Jun | King, Light |
Junnesejer | Kings of the East |
Kaal | Champion |
Kaan | Kyne |
Kaaz | Cat / Khajiit |
Kah | Pride |
Kein | War |
Keizaal | Skyrim |
Kel | Elder Scroll |
Kendov | Warrior |
Kest | Tempest |
Key | Horse |
Keyn | Anvil |
Kiin | Born |
Kiir | Child |
Kinbok | Leader |
Kinzon | Sharp[10] |
Klo | Sand |
Klov | Head |
Ko | In |
Kod | Wield |
Kodaav | Bear |
Kogaan | Blessing |
Kos | Be ("fen kos" - "will be") |
Kol | Crag |
Komeyt | Issue / Issued / Let loose (verb) |
Konahrik | Warlord |
Koor | Summer |
Kopraan | Body |
Kotin | Into |
Krah | Cold |
Krasaar | Sickness |
Kreh | Bend |
Kren | Break |
Krent | Broken |
Krein | Sun (see also "Shul") |
Krif | Fight |
Krii | Kill |
Kriid | Slayer |
Kril | Brave |
Krilot | Valiant |
Krin | Courageous |
Kro | Sorceror |
Kron | Conquer |
Krongrah | Victory |
Kroniid | Conqueror |
Krosis | Sorrow, Apologies, Regret[3][4] |
Kruziik | Ancient |
Kul | Son |
Kulaan | Prince |
Kulaas | Princess |
Laan | Want / Request |
Laas | Life[8] |
Laat | Last |
Lah | Magicka |
Lahney | Live |
Lahvraan | Muster / Gather |
Lahvu | Army |
Leh | Lest |
Lein | World (Mundus - the universe, everything) |
Liiv | Wither |
Liivrah | Diminish |
Lingrah | Long ("Lingrah vod" = "long ago") |
Lo | Deceive |
Loan | Question |
Lok | Sky |
Loost | Hath |
Los | Is (Combine with other verbs for present tense: "is helping", "is sworn", etc) |
Lost | Have / Was |
Lot | Great |
Lovaas | Music / Song |
Luft | Face |
Lun | Leech |
Luv | Tear (noun) |
Maar | Terror |
Mah | Fall |
Mahfaeraak | Forever |
Mal | Little |
Med | Like / Similar to |
Mey | Fool (noun or verb) |
Meyz | Come (become) (i.e. "Meyz fundein" = "come unfurled") |
Miin | Eye |
Mindok | Know, Known, Knowable |
Mir | Allegiance |
Miraad | Doorway |
Monah | Mother |
Monahven | Throat of the world, translates directly to Mother Wind [3] |
Moro | Glory |
Morokei | Glorious |
Motaad | Shudder |
Morah | Focus |
Motmah | Slip |
Motmahus | Slippery, Elusive |
Mu | We |
Mul | Strong |
Mulaag | Strength |
Mun | Man |
Munax | Cruel |
Muz | Men (Plural of "Man", see also "Jul") |
Naak | Eat |
Naako | Eaten |
Naal | By |
Naan | Any |
Nah | Fury |
Nahgah | Psychic |
Nahgahdinok | Necromancer (literally, death psychic) |
Nahkip | Feed[3][5] |
Nahkriin | Vengeance |
Nahl | Living (as in "alive") |
Nahlaas | Alive |
Nahlot | Silenced |
Nau | On |
Nax | Cruelty |
Neh | Never |
Ney | Both |
Ni | Not |
Nii | It |
Nid or Niid | No |
Nivahriin | Cowardly |
Nimaar | Itself |
Nin | Sting |
Nir | Hunt |
Nis | Cannot |
Nok | Lie (verb and noun) |
Nol | From |
Nonvul | Noble |
Norok | Fierce / Fiercest |
Nu | Now |
Nus | Statue |
Nust | They |
Nuz | But |
Oblaan | End |
Od | Snow |
Ofan | Give |
Ogiim | Orc |
Ok | His (used equally with the "ii" form of the possessive) |
Okaaz | Sea |
Ol | As |
Om | Hair |
Ond | Lo |
Onik | Wise |
Onikaan | Wisdom |
Ont | Once |
Orin | Even (adverb, meaning "fully" or "quite") |
Osos | Some |
Ov | Trust |
Paak | Shame |
Paal | Foe / Enemy |
Paar | Ambition |
Paaz | Fair |
Pah | All |
Pahlok | Arrogance |
Peyt | Rose |
Pindaar | Plain |
Pogaan | Many |
Pogaas | Much |
Pook | Stink |
Praan | Rest |
Prodah | Foretell |
Pruzah | Good |
Pruzaan | Best |
Qahnaarin | Vanquisher[8] |
Qeth | Bone |
Qethsegol | Stone (literally "bone of earth") |
Qo | Lightning |
Qolaas | Herald |
Qostiid | Prophecy |
Qoth | Tomb[12] |
Raan | Animal |
Rahgol | Rage |
Rein | Roar |
Rek | She (used equally with the "ii" form of possessive). |
Rel | Dominate |
Revak | Sacred |
Reyliik | Race (Heritage) |
Rii | Essence[8] |
Riik | Gale |
Rinik | Very |
Ro | Balance |
Rok | He |
Ronax | Regiment |
Ronaan | Archer |
Ronaaz | Arrow |
Ronit | Rival (verb) |
Rotmulaag | Word of Power[3] |
Rovaan | Wander |
Ru | Run |
Rul | When |
Ruvaak | Raven |
Ruz | Then |
Sadon | Gray |
Saraan | Await |
Sah | Phantom |
Sahlo | Weak |
Sahqo | Red |
Sahqon | Crimson |
Sahrot | Mighty |
Sahsunaar | Villager |
Saviik | Savior |
Se | Of |
Shul | Sun (Word of Power: see also "Krein") |
Siiv | Find |
Sil | Soul |
Sinak | Finger |
Sinon | Instead |
Sivaas | Beast (see also "Sunvaar") |
Sizaan | Lost |
Slen | Flesh |
Smoliin | Passion |
Sonaan | Bard |
Sos | Blood |
Sot | White |
Spaan | Shield |
Staadnau | Unbound |
Stin | Free (adjective) |
Strun | Storm |
Strunmah | Mountain |
Su | Air |
Sul | Day |
Suleyk | Power |
Sunvaar | Beast (see also "Sivaas") |
Su'um | Breath |
Tah | Pack |
Taazokaan | Tamriel (the physical land / continent) |
Tafiir | Thief |
Tahrodiis | Treacherous |
Tey | Tale |
Thur | Overlord |
Thu'um | Shout ("Storm Voice") |
Tiid | Time |
Tinvaak | Speak / Speech |
Togaat | Attempt |
Tol | That |
Toor | Inferno |
Tu | Hammer |
Tuz | Blade |
Ufiik | Troll |
Ul | Eternity |
Unahzaal | Unending / Ceaseless / Eternal (less common than Unslaad) |
Unslaad | Unending / Ceaseless / Eternal |
Unt | Try |
Uznahgaar | Unbridled |
Vaal | Bay ("ahst vaal" = "At Bay") |
Vaat | Swear |
Vaaz | Tear (verb)[8] |
Vah | Spring |
Vahdin | Maiden |
Vahlok | Guardian |
Vahriin | Sworn |
Vahrukt | Memory |
Vahrukiv | Commemorate |
Vahzah | True |
Vonmindoraan | Incomprehensible |
Ved | Black |
Ven | Wind |
Vey | Cut |
Veysun | Ship |
Viik | Defeat |
Viir | Dying |
Viintaas | Shining |
Viing | Wing |
Vith | Serpent |
Vo-- | Un- prefix. (opposite of. e.g. unkind, unlikeable) |
Vod | Ago ("Lingrah vod" - long ago) |
Vodahmin | Unremembered / Forgotten |
Vokul | Evil (Literally "ungood") |
Vokun | Shadow |
Vol | Horror |
Volaan | Intruder (literally "unwant"; a taunt used by Draugr: "dir volaan!") |
Voth | With |
Vukein | Combat |
Vul | Dark |
Vulom | Darkness |
Vulon | Night |
Vus | Nirn[8] |
Wah | To |
Wahl | Build / Create |
Wahlaan | Past-tense: Built / Created / Raised[10] |
Wen | Whose |
Werid | Praise |
Win | Wage |
Wo | Who[10] |
Wuld | Whirlwind |
Wundun | Travel[4] |
Wunduniik | Traveler[3] |
Wuth | Old |
Yah | Seek |
Yol | Fire |
Yoriik | March |
Yuvon | Gold / Golden (adjective) |
Zaam | Slave[12] |
Zaan | Shout (noun; meaning "Yell", not use of Voice Power) |
Zah | Finite |
Zahkrii | Sword |
Zahrahmiik | Sacrifice |
Zeim | Through |
Zeymah | Brother |
Zii | Spirit |
Zin | Honor[3] |
Zind | Triumph |
Zindro | Triumph's |
Zofaas | Fearful |
Zohungaar | Heroically |
Zok | Most |
Zol | Zombie[8] |
Zoor | Legend |
Zu'u | I |
Zul | Voice (the actual mortal voice, not the power of shouting) |
Zun | Weapon |
Trivia
- The Dragon language's script is similar in appearance to cuneiform, the written language of ancient Mesopotamia.
- A possible hidden reference to Looking Glass Studio's "Thief" series exists in the form of the draconic word for thief -- "tafiir." [14]
- When speaking to you, both Alduin and Paarthurnax will speak in both common and Dragon language, often repeating a word in common after it is said in Dragon in order for the player to understand.
- Dragons tamed with the Bend Will Shout will also do this.
- Hostile dragons that the player may encounter in the wild will sometimes taunt you in Dragon language.
- "Dovahsebrom" translates to "Dragon of the North".
- Miraak uses a special four-word phrase to consume the souls of dragons ("zii los dii du" - literally "spirit is mine (to) devour"). This is strange, as most phrases or shouts in Dragon language consists of only three words.
- Paarthurnax appears to use the three word phrase "Drem Yol Lok" as a greeting. This translates to "peace/patience fire sky".
External links
- Thuum.org - an unofficial Dragon Language lexicon
- Game Informer - Skyrim's Dragon Shouts, pg 1
- Game Informer - Skyrim's Dragon Shouts, pg 2
- Game Informer - Skyrim's Dragon Shouts
- Game Informer - Translating the Cover
Appearances
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Songs of Skyrim
- ↑ Game Informer
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 Paarthurnax's dialogue
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Odahviing's dialogue
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Creation Kit data
- ↑ Holdings of Jarl Gjalund
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Alduin's dialogue
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 Durnehviir's dialogue
- ↑ Dialogue with Borri
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 Dragon Language: Myth no More
- ↑ Dialogue with Arngeir in The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Durnehviir's unique Soul Cairn Summon shout.
- ↑ Holdings of Jarl Gjalund
- ↑ Taffer in the Thief series