Languages

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A stone rubbing of the Falmer language.

The following are the known languages that appear in The Elder Scrolls universe.

List of languages

• Akaviri
• Altmer
• Aldmeris
• Ald chimeris
• Ayleidoon (Ayleid)
• Banthan
• Bretic
• Daedric (has own alphabet)
• Dragon Language (Dragonish)
• Dunmeri (name)
• Dwemeris
• Ehlnofex
• Falmer
• Giantish
• Goblin
• Harpy
• Impish
• Jel (Argonian)
• Kothringi Language
• Lamia's language
• Nedic
• Nordic
• Orcish
• Old Bretic
• Ta'agra (Khajiiti) (sometimes simply called "Khajiiti")
• Tamrielic (Standard language)
• Tsaesci
• Yoku/Yokudan (Old Redguard)

Akaviri

[?]

• "Syffim" – "Mercenaries/Fighters"

Altmeri

Altmeri, also known as High Elvish, is the language of the Altmer. Derived from Aldmeri, it bares similarities to other elven languages such as Ayleidoon and the Falmeri. Altmeri was used in official documents across Tamriel before being replaced by Tamrielic. The Tamrielic language itself is based on the Altmeri language.^{confirmation needed}

• "Adma'na" – "Poor Listener"
• "Admanen" – "Listening eye"
• "Aednavorith" – The study of genealogy and ancestry
• "Alaxon" – "Perfection"
• "Aprax" – "Criminal" or "Outcast"
• "Apraxic" – "Social outcast"
• "Apraxis" – "Exile"
• "Canvaroth" – "Scout"
• "Ephem" – A non-Altmer
• "Hulkynd" – "Broken child"
• "Kamlehal" – "Shrieking terror"
• "Kynd" – "Child"^{confirmation needed}
• "Nebarra" – "Unwelcome"
• "Oegnithir" – "Bad change"
• "Russafeld" – "Scarlet shrine"

Aldmeris

Main article: Aldmeri Language

• "Ada" – "Spirit." Found in Et'Ada and Ehlnada.
• "Ae" – "Is/equal to/and"
• "Ae-" – "Positive" prefix (ontological assertion)
• "Aednavorith" – The study of genealogy and ancestry
• "Aedra" – "Ancestors"
• "Aka" – "Dragon"
• "Ald" – "Ancient," "Old"
• "Aldmer" – "Ancient/Old Ones"
• "Aldmeris" – "Elven"
• "Altadoon" – "Weapon"
• "Alt" – "High"
• "Altmer" – "High Ones"
• "Altmora" – "The Elder/High Wood"
• "Akavir" – "Dragon Land"
• "Arcta" – "To face"
• "Bos" – "Green," "Forest"
• "Chi-" – "Changed-"
• "Chim" – "Change"
• "Chimer" – "The Changed Ones/Elves"
• "Dae" – "Is not/ not equal to"
• "Dae-" – Negative prefix
• "Daedra" – "Not our ancestors/Not a god"
• "Dra" – "Ancestors," "God"
• "Doon" – Related to "Fight" or "War." Found in Altadoon and Ghardooni
• "Dun" – "Dark"
• "Dunmer" – "The Dark Ones/Elves"
• "Dwe" – "Deep," "Secret"
• "Dwemer" – "The Deep/Secret Ones," "The Ones of the Depths"
• "Ehln-" – "Ancestral"
• "Ehlnada" – "Ancestors" (Literally ancestral spirit)
• "Fevel" – "Weakness"
• "Ghardooni" – "Invaders"
• "Kan" – "To dare"
• "Malatanya" – "Truth of Life"
• "Malatu" – "Truth"
• "Man"/"Men" – "Human(s)," "Man"/"Men"
• "Manmer," "Menmer" – "Half Blooded One(s)" (referring to the first Bretons)
• "Metanane" – "To have chosen"
• "Mer" – "People" ("Elves")
• "Mora" – "Wood"
• "Nu" – "We," "Us"
• "Orsimer" – "Orc"
• "Orsinium" – "Orc-Town"
• "Resdayniil" – "Resdayn Folk"
• "Tamriel" – "Dawn's Beauty"
• "Tarcel" – "To resist"
• "Udhendra Nibenu" – "Father of the Niben"
• "Welkynd" – (Welkynd Stones) "Heaven Stone" (literal meaning: "Sky Child")
• "Vane" – "For"
• "Varla" – (Varla Stones) "Star"
• "Vengha" – "To venerate/adore"
• "Vir" – "Land"
• "Ye" – "And"

Ayleidoon

Main article: Ayleidoon

The Ayleid language is believed to be a variation of "Old Cyrodiilic" rather than Tamrielic.

• "Admia" – "Ancestors"
• "Adonai" – "Lordly"
• "Aldmeris" – "Elven"
• "Alasil" – "Vision"
• "Amaraldane" – "Heralds"
• "Anyammis" – "Life"
• "Aurane" – "Heard"
• "Agea" – "Wisdom," "Lore"
• "Av" – "From"
• "Baune" – "Mighty"
• "Belle" – "Thunderous"
• Bisnensel – "New Water Halls"
• "Boiche" – "Wood"
• "Brelyeis" – "Beech trees"
• "Emero" – ?
• "Gandra" – "Welcoming"
• "Garlas" – "Caverns"
• "Goria" – "Obscure"
• "Gravia" – "Ugly"
• "Haelia" – "Terrible"
• "Hectahame" – "Home of the Elves"
• "Jorane"
• "Karan" – "Armor"
• "Latta" – "Light"
• "Lattia" – "Shines"
• "Magicka" – "Magic"
• "Malatu" – "Truth"
• "Mallari" – "Gold"
• "Mathlemldi" – literal meaning: "From-home-driven"
• "Molag" – "Fire"
• "Moriche" – "Dark"
• "Ne" – "Ever"
• "Nou" – "Our"
• "Par" – "Fist," "Grip"
• "Pellani" – "Outsiders"
• "Relleis" – "Peace"
• "Ry" – "As"
• "Sa" – "So"
• "Salache" – "High"
• "Sancre" – "Golden"
• "Sepredia" – "Gifts"
• "Sou" – "Your"
• "Suna" – "Bless"
• "Sunna" – "Blessed" (Sunnabe = Blessed Be)
• "Tor" – "Hill"
• "Va" – "In," "In the"
• "Vabria frenscha" – "Foaming Wave"
• "Varlais" – "Stars" (Aldmeris: Varla = Star)
• "Ye" – "And"

Banthan

Main article: Banthan

Dialect of Ancient Redguard. (See "Old Redguard")

• "Riglametha" – "Grateful-offering"
• "Ghraewaj" – "The Crows Who Were Punished" or "The Crows Who Punish"

Bosmeri

• "Ghul" – "Monster"^{confirmation needed}
• "Jaqspur" – "Long distance shooter"
• "Meh ayleidion" – "The One Thousand Benefits of Hiding"
• "Unthrappa" – "Atonement"

Bretic

Bretic is the language of the Bretons. The language came from an older form called Old Bretic.

Daedric

Has its own alphabet, but is written the same as Tamrielic. See Daedric Alphabet

• "Kyn" – "Dremora Race" (people)
• "Kynaz" – "He of the Kyn"
• "Kynmarcher" – Lieutenant/Minor Lord
• "Markynaz" – Translates roughly as "Grand Duke"
• "Markyn" – "Grand Council" (of other Markynaz)
• "Valkynaz" – Translates roughly as "Prince"

Dragon Language

Main article: Dragon Language

Dunmeri

At some point in the past, the Dunmer had a complete, separate language. The language of the Dunmer is derived from Ald Chimeris, the language of the Chimer. A script disparate from Chimeris used for writing in Dunmeri.

• "Ald'ruhn" – "Old Home"
• "Bal" – "Stone"
• "B'vek" – An expression of shock or surprise
• "Card" – "undeparted kin-wardens"
• "Cardruhn" – "Ancestral tomb"
• "Corprus" – An incurable blight disease of the mind and flesh
• "Felassani" – Pants from the Ordinator's liturgical vestment
• "Fetcher" – Thief
• "Foyada" – "Fire-river" (in the 'Ancient Ashlander tongue)
• "Gah" – "Great" (e.g. Gah-Julan)
• "Hla" – "Little"
• "Hortator" – A champion of the Great Houses who leads during times of crisis.
• "Khan" – Leader or councilor
• "Kogo" – "Unbreakable"
• "Kogoruhn" – "Unbreakable Home"
• "Llananor" – A long shirt from the Ordinator's liturgical vestment
• "Mabrigash" – Renegade wise-women and witch-warriors of the Ashlander tribes
• "Mora" – "Forest"
• "Muthsera" – Term of great respect
• "Mehra" – ?
• "Nchow" – A vulgar interjection similar to "damn"
• "Nerevarine" – the reincarnation of the Chimeri hero Indoril Nerevar
• "N'wah" – A particularly harsh insult, meaning "foreigner" or "slave" depending on the context
• "Ouada" – "River"
• "Ruhn" – "Home" or "hearth-hall"
• "Sera" – Greeting given to fellow Dunmeri.
• "Serjo" – Honorary title, meaning "sir" or "Noble"
• "Sotha" – ?
• "S'wit" – Slack-wit
• "T'lonya" – Birthing swaddle

Dwemeris

Main article: Dwemeris

Dwemeris.

• Bthar-zel – "Allied City"
• Nchardak – "City of a Hundred Towers"
• Volen – "Hammer"
• Volenfell – "City of the Hammer"
• Volendrung – "Hammer of Might"
• Vvardenfell – "City of the Strong Shield"

For a list of books written in Dwemeris, see Dwemeris.

Ehlnofex

Ancient language, now extinct.

• "Ae" – "Is" (probably also encountered in elvish languages); prefix establishing as true
• "Aedra" – "Ancestors"
• "Beratu" – "Half" ("Bretons" is derived from this)
• "Dae" – "Is not"; negative prefix
• "Daedra" – "Not our ancestors"
• "Nirn" means the "Gray Maybe." (Sometimes translated as "Arena") (Unconfirmed that it was this language)

Falmer

The Falmer Language can be determined thanks to etchings in Calcelmo's Tower, and Gallus's Encoded Journal

Giantish

Main article: Giantish – Established as a language in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

Goblin

A language according to the The Elder Scrolls Online lorebook Sacred Rites of the Stonechewers.

• "Muulk" – Used to chastise Durzogs or children.
• "Mluku" – Goblin word for fecal matter.

Impish

Established as a language in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall.

Kothri

Roll me down down down to the river that welcomes me
Ge-rulla seb-seb-seb ytri topali ke wel'kyn-ge

I am a Welcome Stone
Ge una Wel'kyn Bal

Just ask anyone of age, little girl, for they remember me
Yn set ghyn aka, ky'naless, synd laru'me ge

I am a Welcome Stone
Ge yni Wel'kyn Bal

Wash me up up up and see! A familiar face! Too long gone!
K'yness-ge bes bes bes ad'soon! Ha'phyn fex! Ald'ald-het!

I am Orlyan, the Long Gone Stone
Ge yni Orlyan, the Ald-Het Bal

The Around-Us will be happy to see me again!
Aurbex lemha je-je ad'soon al-ge!

But it might go, "Wait, you looked different before!"
Hyn detta set, "Ka, g'e lr'khn nymbo!"

I am a Verily Stone!
Ge yni V'arla Bal!

But it might go, "Wait, you looked different before!"
Hyn detta set, "Ka, g'e lr’khn nymbo!"

I am a Verily Stone!
Ge yni V'arla Bal!

• "Ald-Het" – "Long Gone"
• "Ald'Ald-het" – "Too long gone"
• "Bal" – "Stone" (Also in Aldmeris)
• "Detta" – "Might"
• "Ge" – "Me," "I"
• "G'e" – "You"
• "Hyn" – "But"
• "Ka" – "Wait"
• "Set" – "Go"
• "Una" – "Am A" (Sometimes "Yni")
• "V'arla" – "Verily"
• "Wel'kyn" – "Welcome"
• Yni – "Am A" (Sometimes "Una")

Jel

Main article: Jel

Jel, the languages of the Argonians, is described as "the closest speech to thought," a way of conversing communally with the Hist. Unlike many Tamrielic languages, Jel is not derived from Ehlnofex but comes from the ancient and sentient trees, the Hist. The language is sometimes erroneously referred to as Saxhleel, which is the Argonian name for themselves.

• "Ajum" – A traditional woven tray
• "Al-Phid" – "Brightest star in the city"
• "Beeko" – "Friend"
• "Bok" – "Bowl"
• "Daril" – example "Daril Drinker" – ?
• "Deelith" – "Teacher"
• "Gee-Rusleel" – "Miredancer"
• "Greel" – "Enemy"
• "Haj" – "Hidden"
• "Hej xajhuthi kroni" – "Vaporous, dangerous crones" ("Beware of witchlights")
• "hejsetha thtithik" – "Vaporous, floating egg-hatcher" (Wispmother)
• "hejsetha thtitleel" – "Vaporous, floating sphere" (or Wisp)
• "Hist-Deek" – "Hist-Sapling"
• "Hist-Dooka" – "Mature Hist"
• "Hist-Tsoko" – "Elder Hist"
• "Jekos" - Meaning unknown. Used by Zahra in The Elder Scrolls Online.
• "ka" – "Apprentice"
• "Kaal" – "War Captain"
• "kaj-jeke thota" – "Ample-stinging insect" (or "Giant Wasp")
• "Kaoc" – Form of expression of surprise or alarm.
• "kajthux" – "Ample Serpent"
• "Kota-Vimleel" – "Black-Tongues"
• "Krona" – "Big, colossal"
• "Luheeez" – "wing folding"
• "Lukiul" – "Assimilated"
• "Nagahssee" – "Snake roll," a culinary dish
• "Naheesh" – "Tribal elder"
• "Nalpa" – "Bad"
• "Norg" – "Forbidden"
• "Nushmeeko" – "Lizard"
• "Ojel" – "Outsider"/Literal Translation: "Not of Argonian Tongue" or "Non-Speaker of Jel"
• "Ojel-bak" - "Pit of the Outsider"
• "Rajpu" – ?
• "Reel-Ka" – "Warrior"
• "Rormasu" – Argonian word for Crocodile (literal: "big mouth reptile that breathes above water")
• "Saxhleel" – Argonians' name for themselves
• "Shaja-nushmeeko" – "Semi-Humanoid Lizard"
• "Sisei" – "Sprout"
• "Ssaa" – ? (used by Xijai-Teel)
• "Teeba-Hatsei" – "Hip and Tail Ball"
• "Teeba" – "ball"
• "Theilul" – Hurry? (uncertain on meaning)
• "Thtithil" – "Egg"
• "Thtithil-Gah" – "Egg-Basket"
• "Tsona" – "Swim"
• "Tsonashap" – "Swimming Frog"
• "Tum-Taleel" – "Root-House People"
• "Uxith" – "nest"
• "Vakka" – "Sun"
• "Vastei" – "Change"
• "Veeskheel-Tzel" – "Ghost People"
• "Wamasu" – Jel name of a reptilian creature found in Black Marsh
• "Wasseek-haleel" – "Bright-Throats"
• "Waxhuthi" – curse word
• "Xal" – "Sacred"
• "Xeech" – "Nut, Seed"
• "Xeech'kis" – "Seed Dolls"
• "Xul" – "Death"
• "Xulomaht" – "The Deceased"
• "Xuth" – exclamation

Nedic

• "Sprig" – Nedic term for "fresh green twig or offshoot"
• "Tosh" – "dragon," sometimes "tiger" or "time" depending on the word's placement

Nordic

Nordic is the language of the Nords. Nordic came from the Dragon language which was learned by the ancient Nords.

• "Drah-gkon" – "dragon"
• "Evgir unslaad" – "Season Unending"
• "Merethic" – "Era of the Elves"
• "Valunstrad" – "avenue of valor"
• "Bare-sarks" – "Berserkers"
• "Dalk" – "Knife"
• "Hjerim" – "Home of Frost"
• "Ysmir" – "Kings" and "Dragon of the North"
• "Wuuthrad" – "Storm's Tears"

Old Bretic

Main article: Old Bretic

Old Redguard

Main article: Yoku

"Yokudan"/Old Yokudan

• "Abah" – "filthy" or "unclean"
• "Ajcea" – a spiral down(Mentions Ajcea)
• "Anka-Ra" – Former warrior? Old warrior?
• "Ansei" – "Sword-Saints"
• "Anselim" – Equivalent of "bottoms-up" (maybe)
  • "Anselim" – may also mean "stop" or "cease"
• "Ansu" – ?
• "Atomos" – "The Uncuttable"
• "Ayh-al-Fifrah at-Hamisam" – "be at peace"?
• "Greklith" – ?
• "Hel Shira" – Blade Noble?
• "Hira-Dirg" – ?
• "Kotu" – Purifying? (Frandar Hunding) "weapon" / "edge"
• "Mluo" – "cheese"
• "Netu" – "Turn"
• "Netu Hu" – "Turn Right"
• "Netu anselim" – "Turn Back"
• "No Shira" – "Noble person"
• "Raga" – ?
• "Ra Gada" – "Warrior Wave"
• "Selim" – "Halt"
• "Sen nung ni-Bateki tro ki-lodo" – ?
• "Stros M'Kai" – "Sister of Thought"
• "Shehai" – "Way of the spirit sword"
• "Sura" – Cyrus
• "Surahoon" – ?
• "Tro zhang-ga let" – ?
• "Tobr'a" – "Useless"
• "Tung den uta-no-mongo, Ansu-Gurleht" – ?
• "Ugak-ta" – "I'm pretty mad"
• "Yarbans" – A Redguard unit of measure (Frandar Hunding)
• "Yokeda" – "Leader, Lord of war"?

(See also: Banthan – a dialect of this language)

Orcish

Main article: Orcish (Skill)

Orcish is a language of the Orsimer peoples of Tamriel. Other examples exist of its separate language, such as Sixteen Accords of Madness, Book XII. Orcish itself is a derivation of a language called Old Orcish

• No word exists in this language for "delicacy."
• "Beshkar-nor" – death-forge
• "Tumnors" – "death stones"
• "Vosh Rakh" – "Blade of Courage"
• "Norgim" – "Death"

Reach Tongue

• "Ard" – "King of the Fort"
• "Markarth" – "Above the Karth"
• "Cidhna" – "Silver"
• "Faolan" – "Red Eagle"
• "Tagh Droiloch" – "Dark High Wizards"
• "Vatesharn" – "History keeper"

Saxhleel

(See "Jel")

Ta'agra

Ta'agra is the language of the Khajiit. Many Khajiit mix the use of Ta'agra with Tamrielic.

• "Ahzirr Durrarriss" – "We Give Freely To The People"
• "Ahzirr Trajijazeri" – "We justly take by force" (Zulana)
• "Do-sura" – The Captain
• "Fusozay Var Dar" – "Kill Without Qualm"
• "Fusozay Var Var" – "Enjoy Life"
• "Krin" – Grin/smile
• "Khajiit" – "Desert walker"
• "Q'zi no vano thzina ualizz." – "There are no rules"
• "Ri'sallidad" – "the dead" ("Martyrs")
• "Sa-m'Athra" – Elder cat? Senche-Lion?
• "Vaba Do'Shurh'do" – "It Is Good To Be Brave"
• "Vaba Maaszi Lhajiito" – "It Is Necessary To Run Away"
• "Ziss" – Phrase used by Khajiit. (Mazil-jo uses this)
• "Renrijra Krin – "The Mercenary's Grin"
• "gzalzi vaberzarita maaszi: – "Absurdity has become necessity.
• "ja'Khajiit" - ?
• "q'zi no vano thzina ualizz" – "When I contradict myself, I am telling the truth."
• "thjizzrini" – "Foolish Concepts" (No word for "Rules")
• "thogatt" – "charcoal warriors"
• "vaba maaszi lhajiito, do-sura" – Unknown.
• "Dro-m'Athra" – Everywhere? (possible)
• "Je'm'ath" – "Moon Sugar"
• "Lilmothiit" – "One who is from Lilmoth"
• "Ja-Kha'jay" – "Lunar Lattice"

Honorific titles:

• "-do" – for one who has earned distinction on the field of battle or in personal duels as a warrior, usually applied to males but occasionally to females.
• "-dar" – a title earned by those who are both inquisitive and acquisitive, and 'nimble in fingers and wits', often applied to politicians in jest.(Example: Razum-dar)
• "-jo" – an appellation for respected male physicians, scholars and mages, and at times used by those pretending to be knowledgeable or skilled.
• "-la" – a title applied to maidens who are unmarried.
• "-dra" – a title of respect awarded to a female for her wisdom and wit.
• "-ko" – a title for respected female healers, mages and sometimes for educated ancestors.
• "-dro" – a title for male elders, patriarchs and grandfathers, and at times, slow walkers.
• "-daro" – a female honorific for thieves or a skillful speaker.
• "-ma" – an honorific for a young child of any gender.
• "-ri" – a title reserved for leaders such as Kings, Speakers and Manes, sometimes may be used for male lovers.
• "-ra" – a masculine honorific for a respected leader of soldiers, trade or governance.

Tsaesci

• "Syffim" – "Warrior"

References

Notice: The following are unlicensed references. They are not copyrighted by a ZeniMax Media company, but can still be considered part of The Elder Scrolls lore and are included for completeness.