A Taleran Language Lesson

When Wraith of Talera is published, sometime this year, I hope, it will contain a fairly extensive glossary of Taleran places, races, mythology, and terms. I've spent many fun hours over the years developing this material. I use it as my guide in writing the stories, but I also just enjoy working on it even if some of it may never see light in the tales themselves. I thought I might post a little preview of the glossary here, focusing on some Taleran vocabulary. Below we have the Taleran words on the left side, with their equivalent meanings in English on the right. This is only a sample of some of the more common terms.

Ahy – Greeting. Basically “hello.”

Dihn – A small coin of little importance.

Dhu – Hundred.

Efrinore – Druid-witch-shaman. A magic woman of the forest. Herbalist.

Gleene – Blade.

Hyr – Half.

Jaikil – Raptor.

Jhesan – Lord (or sometimes Prince).

Jhesana – Lady (or sometimes Princess).

Khi – This is an important concept on Talera. It means, among other things, soul, spirit, psychic energy, charisma.

Khiang – Warrior, in the Nyshphalian tongue.

Khisan – Warlord, one who rules by the Khi.

Kyr – King.

Lehr – Outlaw.

Mercredi – A mercenary who serves as infantry.

Mordai – The name for the 1^st hour of the Taleran day, the hour after midnight when the veil between the living and the dead worlds is said to be thinnest.

Munt – Monkey.

Phoros – Healer or Physician.

Phrer – Priest or monk.

Rhanvin – Fighting slave, gladiator.

Saar – Polite title, like Sir.

Saaress – Polite title for a woman. Madam.

Saysa – Term of endearment, equivalent in English to “baby” or “honey.”

Verdredi – Mounted mercenary.

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Learning a Foreign Language

I just gave my final, final exam this morning at 8:00, and now the grading begins. Why am I taking the time to blog then some of you may wonder. Well, if you’ve ever looked at a daunting stack of essays big enough to choke a Baleen whale, and realize that your next couple of day swill be spent in their company and their company alone, you might forgive me for hesitating to begin the task. Nevertheless, the tests will get graded, and final grades will be turned in on time. And most likely I will still be relatively sane, albeit only semi-coherent, when I’m done.

In the meantime, here’s a little language lesson from Talera. Don’t worry, there won’t be a test. I’m sure as “dahh” not gonna grade any more “krutt-loving” tests than I have to.

Curse words: There are, of course, many more. But here is a sample: Dahh -- Generally translated as Damn or Hell
Dihmus vishka -- possible translation is “god in heaven.”
Lart -- Rodent (You Rat)
Vish -- Usually translated as Shit or Piss
Krutt – a type of parasite whose name is also used as a curse.


General words:
Ahy -- Greeting
Dihn -- A small coin of little importance.
Dhorn -- Day
Dhu -- Hundred
Efrinore -- druid-witch-shaman. A magic woman of the wood. Herbalist.
Jhesan -- Lord (or sometimes Prince)
Jhesana -- Lady (or sometimes Princess)
Khi -- soul, spirit, psychic energy, charisma
Khiang -- Warrior
Khisan -- Warlord, who rules by the Khi.
Lehr -- Outlaw
Mercredi -- Foot mercenary
Mordai -- the name for the hour of the Taleran day that comes after midnight, when the veil between the living and dead worlds is said to be thinnest.
Nex -- Place
Phal -- Island
Phoros -- Healer or Physician
Phorosnex -- Hospital
Phrer -- Priest or monk
Rha -- War
Rhath -- Warrior
Rhahn -- battle
Rhanvin -- fighting slave, gladiator.
Saar -- Gesture of polite title, like Sir
Saaress -- Gesture of polite title for a woman. Madam.
Saysa -- term of endearment, like the English “baby” or “honey.”
Vin – slave