Nordic was the language spoken by the Nords.[1] It is sometimes referred to as the northern tongue, referring to Skyrim.[2]:22 The Nordic god Jhunal is considered the father of languages.[3]
Nordic first saw use in the Late Merethic Era.[4][5] It was considered an old tongue by Second Era,[6] but saw limited use into even the Fourth.[2]:22 Next to nothing was known of Atmoran by the Second Era, with instances of the language being increasingly hard to find.[7]
Language Family and Genetic RelationshipEdit
The original Atmoran tongue likely descended from Ehlnofex, with both tongues using the term Talos,[8] and was entirely oral, bearing no written form until the Late Merethic Era. Ysgramor, the first human historian, created the runic alphabet of Atmoran speech using the principles of Elvish.[1][7] When the Dragon Cult established its firm grip and dominion over Skyrim, Dragon-tongue became the dominant language. Use of the tongue was regulated by the ruling Dragon Priests, who prevented the usage of certain words.[4] Nords copied the Dragon alphabet after watching the Dragons themselves carve the runes with their claws. They used this script for works of importance, such as burials,[9] but used a lettering system, colloquially referred to as ancient Nord, for other, common purposes.[10][11][12] Nordic likely descends from the Atmoran tongue, with the two languages sharing some words.[8][13] It developed around the same time as the ancient Nord variation of Dragon-tongue, as words for Dragon from both languages were used around the same time.[4]
Nordic DictionaryEdit
- Bare-sarks
- the Bare-Chested, Berserkers[14]
- Dalk
- Knife[2]:22
- Dov-rha
- Dragon[5]
- Dunmereth
- Land of the Dunmer[15]
- Manmeri
- Half-Elves, Bretons[16]
- Merethic
- Era of the Elves[1]
- Reaver
- Bandit[17]
- Season Unending
- "War" or "War without end". Comes from the word "Evgir Unslaad" in the Dragon language.[18][19]
- Skald
- Bard[6]
- Talos
- Stormcrown[13]
- Ysmir
- Dragon of the North, King[8]
Atmoran DictionaryEdit
GalleryEdit
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Unknown Nordic runes in Riften, circa 2E 582 (ESO)
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Unknown Nordic runes in Riften, circa 2E 582 (ESO)
See AlsoEdit
BooksEdit
- Herma-Mora: The Woodland Man? by Reginus Buca — A scholar's theory on the etymology of Herma-Mora in Atmoran culture
- The Atmoran Cult Writings by Archivist Oriane Pamarc — Fragmentary translations of esoteric Atmoran religious texts
- The Onus of the Oghma by Phrastus of Elinhir — A selection of quotes to emphasize the importance of recording one's life story
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b c Before the Ages of Man — Aicantar of Shimerene
- ^ a b c The Infernal City — Greg Keyes
- ^ Varieties of Faith... — Brother Mikhael Karkuxor of the Imperial College
- ^ a b c The Dragon War — Torhal Bjorik
- ^ a b Dov-rha Sabatons codex entries in ESO
- ^ a b The Improved Emperor's Guide to Tamriel: Skyrim — Flaccus Terentius, 2E 581
- ^ a b c Herma-Mora: The Woodland Man? — Reginus Buca
- ^ a b c d Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: Cyrodiil — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
- ^ Dragon Language: Myth no More — Hela Thrice-Versed
- ^ Queen Nurnhilde's dialogue during Sleep for the Dead in ESO
- ^ Sleep for the Dead quest in ESO
- ^ Draugr dialogue in ESO
- ^ a b The Arcturian Heresy — The Underking, Ysmir Kingmaker
- ^ Generic dialogue regarding berserkers in Morrowind: Bloodmoon
- ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: Morrowind — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
- ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: The Sons and Daughter of the Direnni West: High Rock — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
- ^ Generic dialogue regarding reavers in Morrowind: Bloodmoon
- ^ Arngeir's dialogue during the quest "Season Unending in Skyrim
- ^ Bergritte Battle-Born's dialogue in Skyrim
- ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: Skyrim — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
- ^ Wittestadr loading screen in ESO
- ^ Songs of the Return, Volume 5