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

• Aldmeris
• Akaviri
• Ayleidoon (Ayleid)
• Banthan
• Daedric (has own alphabet)
• Dragon Language (Dragonish/Dovahzul)
• 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.

Aldmeris

Main article: Aldmeri Language

• "Ada" – Spirit. Found in Et'Ada and Ehlnada.
• "Ae" – "Is/equal to/and"
• "Ae-" – "Positive" prefix (ontological assertion)
• "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"
• "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; 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. (Also calls it "Old Redguard" further down)

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

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

• Note – At some point in the past, the Dunmer had a complete, separate language.
• "Ald'ruhn" – "Old Home"
• "ALMSIVI" – a portmanteau of Almalexia, Sotha Sil, and Vivec; the (former) living gods of the Dunmeri pantheon
• "Bal" – Stone
• "B'vek" – An expression of shock or surprise
• "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"
• "Neravarine" – 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
• "Sera" – Term of respect
• "Serjo" – Honorary title, meaning "sir" or "Noble"
• "Sotha" – ?
• "S'wit" – Slack-wit
• "Sera" – Greeting given to fellow Dunmeri. (Gleaned from "Dialogue" section of Morrowind Construction set)
• "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

• A language that 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.
• "Hej xajhuthi kroni" – Vaporous, dangerous crones." ("Beware of witchlights")
• "hejsetha thtitleel" – Vaporous, floating sphere (or Wisp
• "hejsetha thtithik" – "Vaporous, floating egg-hatcher" (Wispmother)
• "Wamasu" is a Jel name

Argonian Language

• "Al-Phid" – "Brightest star in the city"
• "Beeko" – "Friend"
• "Bok" – "Bowl"
• "Daril" – example "Daril Drinker" – ?
• "Deelith" – "Teacher"
• "Gee-Rusleel" – "Miredancer"
• "Greel" – "Enemy"
• "Haj" – "Hidden"
• "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"
• "Lukiul" – "Assimilated."
• "Naheesh" – "Tribal elder"
• "Nalpa" – "Bad"
• "Norg" – "Forbidden"
• "Ojel" – "Outsider"/Literal Translation: "Not of Argonian Tongue" or "Non-Speaker of Jel"
• "Reel-Ka" – "Warrior"
• "Rormasu" – Argonian word for Crocodile (literal: "big mouth reptile that breathes above water")
• "Saxhleel" – Argonians' name for themselves.
• "Ssaa" – ? (used by Xijai-Teel
• "Teeba-Hatsei" – "Hip and Tail Ball"
• "Theilul" – Hurry? (uncertain on meaning)
• "Thtithil" – "Egg"
• "Tsona" – "Swim"
• "Tsonashap" – "Swimming Frog"
• "Tum-Taleel" – "Root-House People"
• Uxith – "nest"
• "Vastei" – "Change"
• "Veeskheel-Tzel" – "Ghost People"
• "Wasseek-haleel" – "Bright-Throats"
• "Waxhuthi" – curse word
• "Vakka" – "Sun"
• "Xal" – "Sacred"
• "Xeech" – "Nut, Seed"
• "Xeech'kis" – "Seed Dolls"
• "Xul" – "Death"
• "Xuth" – exclamation

Nedic

• "Sprig" – Nedic term for "fresh green twig or offshoot"

Nordic

"Merethic" – literally meaning "Era of the Elves"

Old Bretic

Main article: Old Bretic

Old Redguard

"Yokudan"/Old Yokudan.

• "Ajcea": a spiral down (source: "The Alik'r)(Mentions Ajcea)
• "Ayh-al-Fifrah at-Hamisam" – "be at peace"?
• "Anka-Ra" – Former warrior? Old warrior?
• "Anselim" – Equivalent of "bottoms-up" (maybe)
  • "Anselim" may also mean "stop" or "cease"
• Ansei "Sword-Saints" (Other references too)
• Ansu (official references, too)
• Atomos – "The Uncuttable"
• "Greklith"
• "Hel Shira" – Blade Noble?
• "Kotu": Purifying? (Frandar Hunding) "weapon" / "edge"
• "Mluo": "the divinely rich child of rot, silky, pressed sour milk" (i.e. Cheese). (Source: "The Alik'r")
• "Netu" – "Turn"
• "Netu Hu" – "Turn Right"
• "Netu anselim" – "Turn Back"
• "Selim" – "Halt"
• "Ugak-ta" – "I'm pretty mad"
• "Yarbans" – A Redguard unit of measure (Frandar Hunding)
• "Raga" – ?
• "Sen nung ni-Bateki tro ki-lodo" – ?
• "Stros M'Kai" - "Sister of Thought"
• "Tro zhang-ga let" – ?
• "Sura"
• "Surahoon" – ?
• "Hira-Dirg" – ?
• "Tobr'a" – ?
• "Tung den uta-no-mongo, Ansu-Gurleht."
• "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. *

• No word exists in this language for "delicacy."

Saxhleel

(See "Jel")

Ta'agra

(Ta'agra)

• "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
• "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")
• "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" – "is an honorific for one who has earned distinction on the field of battle or in personal duels. Beware of those strutting lions who apply the title to themselves,Kings,Speakers,a term of endearment.
• "-dar" is perhaps the most ancient of all Khajiiti titles,an appellation earned by those who are nimble in fingers and wits,and Manes,and are both inquisitive and acquisitive.(Example: Razum-dar)
• "-jo" is an appellation for respected physicians,and is also sometimes added to the names of learned ancestors.
• "-la" is an oh-so-fleeting title applied to graceful maidens who are unmarried,and mages,and scholars,and those who walk too slowly in front of one in the marketplace"
• "-dra" is a title of respect awarded to one known for her wisdom and wit,as it is reserved for great leaders of our people,but occasionally (too occasionally,grandfathers,in this one's opinion) a female.
• "-do" is an honorific for one who has earned distinction on the field of battle or in personal duels.
• "-ko" is an appellation for respected healers,mages,not waiting for others to award it."
• "-dro" – "title applied to wise elders,or as a consolation to one who has achieved a venerable age.
• "-daro" is for one who has achieved excellence in the nimble manipulation of loose articles,or behave as if they were
• "-ma" is for a young child of either gender,or governance.
• "-ri" is a title rarely awarded,patriarchs,scholars,such as small decorative objects and unattached coinage.
• "-do" is for one who has earned renown as a warrior—usually male,though it is also frequently adopted by charlatans and mountebanks
• "-ra" is for an esteemed leader of soldiers,trade

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.