The Altmer language, High Elven[1]:6, High Elvish[2] or Elvish,[UOL 1] is the language used by the High Elves of the Summerset Isles. It is descended from Old Elvish, and as such is very similar to its relatives like Ayleidoon, Ald Chimeris or the Falmer language. For the longest time, High Elven was the common language used in all legal documentation until it was later replaced by Cyrodilic (or Tamrielic) in 1E 2813.[1]:6 The common tongue of the empire, Cyrodilic, is based on the Altmer's speech and writing.[3]:7 To date, there are no known texts written in this language, or even a whole sentence, but some words are known.
PronunciationEdit
In Elvish there is no soft "c", so when a word begins with "Ce" or "Ci" it is pronounced with a /k/ sound. For example "Cey-Tarn Keep" is pronounced like "Kay-Tarn Keep". Similarly, the letter G is always pronounced /g/, never /d͡ʒ/.[UOL 2]
Words and PhrasesEdit
AEdit
- Abameld[4]
- Adma'na
- Poor listener[5] (cf. Ayleidoon "adma"—"hear")
- Admanen
- Listening eye[6]
- Aednavorith
- Genealogy[7]
- Aedra
- Ancestors[8]
- Alaxon
- Perfection[9]
- Aprax
- Outcast, criminal[10]
- Ald Mora
- A ruin on Summerset Isle; the name means "old forest" in other Elven languages[11]
- Aldveyond Beldaburk
- An old name for Sea Keep[12]
- Apraxic
- Social outcast[UOL 3]
- Apraxis
- Exile[13]
- Arcta[4]
- Likely means "acknowledge", as in Ayleidoon
- Autameld[14]
BEdit
- Barra
- Welcome[15]
CEdit
- Calian
- A praxic talisman, a symbol of a person's membership in the civilized High Elf society[16]
- Canvaroth
- Scout[17]
- Cerum, Ceruval
- Unknown, but known usage suggests a polite way to address someone (like "sir" or "madam"); both terms can be applied to both genders[18]
DEdit
- Daedra
- Roughly means, "Not our ancestors"[8]
- De'nt
- Unknown; usage suggests some form of an insult[18]
EEdit
GEdit
- Glamoril
- Secret of Life[21]
- Glan'nt
- Unknown; usage suggests some form of an insult[22]
- Graxifalas
- Disgraceful[23]
HEdit
- Halsoriel
- Sewer[23]
- Hulkynd
- Broken child; refers to Altmeri children abandoned by their parents because of their imperfection, for example physical deformity[24] (cf. Ayleidoon "kynd"—"child")
KEdit
NEdit
- Nagaia[4]
- Likely means "death", as in Ayleidoon
- Naganwe
- Unknown; used in the translingual word "revelator-naganwe", meaning "death seer"[27]
- Nebarra
- Unwelcome (also used as a pejorative reference to outsiders)[28][18]
OEdit
- Oegnithir
- Bad change[29]
REdit
SEdit
- Shauta[4]
- Likely means "come", as in Ayleidoon
- Slek
- An interjection (seemingly expresses negative emotions),[18] an insult[32]
TEdit
- Tamriel
- Dawn's Beauty[33]
- Tor-Hame-Khard
- Warlord's Mountain Lair[34] (cf. Ayleidoon "tor"—"hill", "hame"—"home")
VEdit
WEdit
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b The Daggerfall Chronicles — Ronald Wartow
- ^ Pure Language Pearl contraband item in ESO
- ^ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Prima Official Game Guide — David Hodgson
- ^ a b c d e Cavern Dwellers' dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Ulliceta gra-Kogg's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Tarnamir's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Loading screen of Monastery of Serene Harmony in ESO: Summerset
- ^ a b Aedra and Daedra
- ^ Olnewil's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Lanarie's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ a b Location name in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Loading screen of Sea Keep in ESO: Summerset
- ^ The Price of Praxis — Ceruval Rolumaril
- ^ Regarding Thorn Blackstaff
- ^ Lady Sarah's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Mother of Rats's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Lilatha's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ a b c d Various dialogue lines in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Jurisreeve Lorne's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Felawen's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Urag gro-Shub's dialogue in Skyrim
- ^ Lirendel's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ a b Talerion's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Tableau and Manacar's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Erudil's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ The Mother of Rats' dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Jurisreeve Soravil's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Aldarch Tilcalar's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Loremaster Celarus' dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Calawende's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Loading screen of Red Temple Catacombs in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Captain Telomure's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Main Quest introduction text in Arena
- ^ Loading screen of Tor-Hame-Khard in ESO: Summerset
- ^ Charge of the Welkynar
Note: the following references are not from official sources. They are included to provide a rounder background to this article, but may not reflect established lore.