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Lore:High Elvish

< Lore: Linguistics

High Elvish[1] (alternatively High Elven[2]:6 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 Tamrielic in 1E 2813.[2]: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, but some words are known.

Even though Falkreath and its hold are predominantly Nordic throughout history, its name is of elvish origin.[3]:574

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 /ɡ/, never //.[UOL 2]

Words and PhrasesEdit

AEdit

Abameld 
From context, probably "Trespasser" (from Aba, "forbidden", and Meld, "driven")[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][11]
Ald Mora 
A ruin on Summerset Isle; the name means "old forest" in other Elven languages[12]
Aldveyond Beldaburk 
An old name for Sea Keep[13]
Apraxic 
Social outcast[UOL 3], a shamed outcast[11][14]
Apraxis 
Exile, the opposite of Praxis, a condemnation for improper and criminal conduct[14]
Arcta[4] 
Likely means "acknowledge", as in Ayleidoon
Autak 
An interjection (seemingly expresses negative emotions, possibly disgust)[15]
Autameld
An exiled individual (literally, "out-driven")[16]
Avad[4]

BEdit

Barra 
Welcome[17]

CEdit

Calian 
A praxic talisman, a symbol of a person's membership in the civilized High Elf society[18]
Canvaroth 
Scout[19]
Cerum,[20] Ceruval[21] 
Unknown, but known usage suggests a polite way to address someone (like "sir" or "madam"); both terms appear to have no gender-specific use
Cey 
Likely means "shadow", as in Ayleidoon[22]

DEdit

Daedra
Roughly means "Not our ancestors"[8]
De'nt 
Unknown; usage suggests some form of an insult[23]

EEdit

 
"Eluvein" written in the Altmer script
Eluvein 
Another name for the hilas owl, which abandons its eggs after laying them. The term is also used to describe someone who is cold-hearted or aloof[24]
Ephem 
Non-Altmer, outsider[25]
Eyevea 
Sanctuary[UOL 4]

GEdit

Glamoril
Secret of Life[26]
Glan'nt 
Unknown; usage suggests some form of an insult[27]
Graxifalas 
Disgraceful "on a scale unimaginable"[28]

HEdit

Halsoriel 
Sewer[28]
Hulkynd 
Broken child; refers to Altmeri children abandoned by their parents because of their imperfection, such as physical deformity[29] (cf. Ayleidoon "kynd"—"child")

KEdit

Kamlehal 
Shrieking terror[30]
Kynd 
Child[18]

NEdit

Nagaia 
Likely means "death", as in Ayleidoon[4]
Naganwe 
Unknown; used in the translingual word "revelator-naganwe", meaning "death seer"[31]
Nebarra 
Unwelcome (also used as a pejorative reference to outsiders)[32][23]

OEdit

Oegnithir 
Bad change[33]

PEdit

Praxic
Proper, conform to the Praxis, part of Altmer society[18]
Praxis
Customs or established practices[34][35][36], the set of spoken and implicit rules and guidelines of Altmer society[37][38], the act of belonging in Altmer society[14], also sometimes the practical applications of a field of study (when used outside the context of Altmer society)

REdit

Riasen 
A critical witness in a criminal investigation[39]
Russafeld 
Scarlet shrine[40]

SEdit

Seliffrnsae 
Grave and faithful counsel[41]
Shauta 
Likely means "come", as in Ayleidoon[4]
Slek 
An interjection (seemingly expresses negative emotions),[23] an insult[42]
Sunna
Likely means "Blessed" as in Ayleidoon[43]

TEdit

Tamriel
Dawn's Beauty[44]
Tarn 
Likely means "portal", as in Ayleidoon[22]
Thalmilan
Inspector whose job it is to parse clues and render a verdict during an investigation[24], possibly related to the word "Thalmor"
Tor-Hame-Khard 
Warlord's Mountain Lair[45] (cf. Ayleidoon "tor"—"hill", "hame"—"home")

VEdit

Vey 
Likely means "to" (indicating movement), as in Ayleidoon[4]
Veyond Wyte[12]

WEdit

Wel
Likely means "Sky" as in Ayleidoon[43]
Welkynar 
The gryphon-riding protectors of Cloudrest; likely related to Ayleidoon "wel"—"sky"[46]

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ Pure Language Pearl contraband item in ESO
  2. ^ a b The Daggerfall Chronicles — Ronald Wartow
  3. ^ a b The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Prima Official Game Guide — David Hodgson
  4. ^ a b c d e f Cavern Dwellers' dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  5. ^ Ulliceta gra-Kogg's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  6. ^ Tarnamir's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  7. ^ Loading screen of Monastery of Serene Harmony in ESO: Summerset
  8. ^ a b Aedra and Daedra
  9. ^ Olnewil's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  10. ^ Lanarie's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  11. ^ a b Green Serpent TestimonialsMinerva Calo, Associate Chronicler
  12. ^ a b Location name in ESO: Summerset
  13. ^ Sea Keep loading screen in ESO: Summerset
  14. ^ a b c The Price of PraxisCeruval Rolumaril
  15. ^ Ambient Dialogue in ESO
  16. ^ Regarding Thorn BlackstaffLoremaster Celarus
  17. ^ Tenigwe's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  18. ^ a b c Mother of Rats's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  19. ^ Lilatha's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  20. ^ Panyra's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  21. ^ Lanarie's dialogue at the beginning of A Tale of Two Mothers in ESO: Summerset
  22. ^ a b Cey-Tarn Keep and the ruins of Cey-Tarn found below the fort, where a portal to the Gorge can be found
  23. ^ a b c Various dialogue lines in ESO: Summerset
  24. ^ a b Jurisreeve Lorne's dialogue during Old Wounds in ESO: Summerset
  25. ^ Felawen's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  26. ^ Urag gro-Shub's dialogue in Skyrim
  27. ^ Lirendel's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  28. ^ a b Talerion's dialogue during A Tale of Two Mothers in ESO: Summerset
  29. ^ Tableau and Manacar's dialogue during The Hulkynd's Heart in ESO: Summerset
  30. ^ Erudil's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  31. ^ Jurisreeve Soravil's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  32. ^ Aldarch Tilcalar's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  33. ^ Loremaster Celarus' dialogue during The Psijics' Calling in ESO: Summerset
  34. ^ Ayrenn: The Unforeseen QueenHeadmaster Tanion of the College of Aldmeri Propriety
  35. ^ Crafting Motif 25: Aldmeri Dominion StyleAicantar of Shimmerene, Sapiarch of Indoctrination
  36. ^ Sages of the Crystal TowerNularan, Mages Guild Scribe
  37. ^ Online:Ancestral Honor Garments
  38. ^ Online:Shimmerene Soiree Gown
  39. ^ Calawende's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  40. ^ Loading screen of Red Temple Catacombs in ESO: Summerset
  41. ^ The Old WaysCelarus the Loremaster
  42. ^ Captain Telomure's dialogue in ESO: Summerset
  43. ^ a b Sunnawel in ESO: Summerset
  44. ^ Main Quest introduction text in Arena
  45. ^ Loading screen of Tor-Hame-Khard in ESO: Summerset
  46. ^ Charge of the Welkynar

Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.