Dragon Language



Dragon language is the language of the Dragons. Sometimes referred to as Dragonish or Draconian, this language has become rare in Tamriel since the dragon's apparent extinction. The main character of Skyrim, the Dragonborn (or Dovahkiin) is able to learn certain words of the language, using them to turn his voice into an extremely powerful magical force known as a Dragon shout.

Alphabet
*These images were extracted from the Skyrim Rune Puzzle on GameInformer.com (posted Jan. 6, 2011)

The Draconic alphabet is rumored to consist of 34 symbols (reference needed). Currently, there are 27 confirmed symbols: 22 symbols correspond with one English alphabet letter, 5 symbols correspond with two letters (aa, ah, ei, ey, ii). Unconfirmed symbols include "C", "Q", "X" and "Y" and may also include two letter symbol examples.

The Draconic alphabet symbols take their shape due to the anatomy of a dragon's foot; all three digits, or claws, and the dewclaw is used to create variation between letters. All letters therefore consist of up to three strokes and/or a dot.

Lexicon
When transcribing from the Draconic alphabet into the English alphabet, one letter symbols are written in uppercase while two letter symbols are written in lowercase.

Common Words
Added September 10, 2011

Source: Skyrim Game Guide (reference check needed)

Text Examples
The following are examples of the Dragon language, both in the ES V: Skyrim game and in other publications. In game examples include Dragon Word Walls and Dragonstones.

Bleak Falls Barrow
The first Dragon Word Wall, found in Bleak Falls Barrow as part of the Bleak Flats Barrow quest during the Main Quest.

The Dragon shout word learned here is FUS, the first word of Unrelenting Force.


 * 1) FaaL indicates a proper noun, in this case VahLOK; therefore the "T" in "The" and "Guardian" are both capitalized.
 * 2) Literally, "keep" + "self"

Bleak Falls Barrow
The first Dragonstone, found in Bleak Falls Barrow as part of the Bleak Falls Barrow quest during the Main Quest.

The Dragonstone can be found on the body of the Draugr guardian.


 * 1) Literally, "fall" + past tense
 * 2) DROG means "lord"; translation of -GE suffix to be determined
 * 3) Literally, "un-" + "kill"

Skryim Rune Puzzle
The Skyrim Rune Puzzle, posted on January 6, 2011 on GameInformer.com, was the first glimpse of the new Dragon language in Skyrim.

E3 2011 Skyrim Word Wall
Word Wall at Bethesda's Skyrim Booth during E3 2011 (June 6-9, 2011)

Trivia

 * The Dragon language is similar in appearance to cuneiform, the written language of ancient Mesopotamia.
 * Speakers of dragon language can calm Dragonlings with it.