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Lord Drakan
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Lord Drakan

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3) LANGUAGES
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This chapter is about the various known languages in the multiverse. These are but a fraction of the more than 1,000 languages in existence.

3.1) Ancient dwarvish
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The old dwarven language is not spoken very commonly, seeing that even the Azdaran document, which dates to before the Age of Kings, is written in the common tongue. The Ice Mountain Dwarven Colony does seem to speak it to a degree, but nonetheless it has partially made place for the common tongue. The ancient dwarvish language seems to be popular as inspiration for dwarven names, however. For example, the Keldagrim librarian's name, Hugi, appropriately means 'personification of thought', and Master Phyllis named the human girl he found Kara-Meir, meaning 'wolf cub'. Finally, the Sacred Forge of the Imcando is activated by the chant Bron Uffon A{fgi} Bami, but whether this is ancient dwarvish or not is unknown. Some dwarves, such as Doric and Axanamander, do still speak it. The only human known to do so is Kara-Meir.

3.2) Ancient Saradominist
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The Saradominist clergy used an old Saradominist language centuries ago. Now that they have switched to the common tongue, this language has died out. Interestingly, it seems to have been based on an even earlier language spoken by Saradominists. Only one name is known: Mother Mallum, which is 'Mahey'ish Medron' in the Saradominist language. The High Priests of Entrana also have a language, said to be the one Saradomin spoke when he arrived. Given that some of the prayers to Saradomin are in this language today , the two may be one and the same. Reldo, Drezel, the White Knights and others would be able to understand it, in this case. Bizarre Boron Fusswell, scryer extraordinaire. OSRS: POH ideas & RS3 minigames & achievement ideas !

Perhaps you're half right; perhaps we can't win. But we can fight.
— Zanik

16-Aug-2014 14:22:14 - Last edited on 16-Aug-2014 17:59:31 by Lord Drakan

Lord Drakan
Sep Member 2010

Lord Drakan

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3.3) Aviansie language
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The graceful aviantese possess their own language, an excerpt written in which may be found on a scroll given by Avalani in the clan camp. It contains an ancient Armadylian ritual, which has been translated. For example, "Re kral Armadyn akarsil." means "In the name of Armadyl." Not much else is known about the language, other than that the consonants K, S and R are often used.

3.4) Common tongue
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The common tongue, called English by the gnomes, is the language spoken by the vast majority of the multiverse's inhabitants. Nearly all of Gielinor's inhabitants have adopted it too, at least to some extent, and speak it when necessary. Humans and other races are known to have spoken the common tongue since the First Age, as did most pre-Gielinorian beings.

Guthix suggests that the common tongue has developed greatly over the course of Gielinor's history, pointing out that the old names of modern cities such as Avarrocka and Farradorn have died out relatively quickly. There are a wide variety of dialects in the common tongue; for instance, most ogres, trolls, and goblins all speak what seem to be simplified versions of the common tongue, although they seem to be able to understand it without much problem.

The common tongue is the same as the real life language English/French/Spanish/German/Brazilian Portugese. A list of all known words in the common tongue can be found in the Oxford Dictionary because I have better things to do than-- y'okay. Bizarre Boron Fusswell, scryer extraordinaire. OSRS: POH ideas & RS3 minigames & achievement ideas !

Perhaps you're half right; perhaps we can't win. But we can fight.
— Zanik

16-Aug-2014 14:23:21

Lord Drakan
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Lord Drakan

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3.5) Dragonkin language
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Since the Dragonkin have survived the last Great Rivision, their language must be the oldest one in existence. All knowledge of it is owed to the research carried out by Robert the Strong, who wrote a primer about it. The language is simple and fairly crude, allowing only what is necessary to be said. Robert found that the syntaxis of phrases takes the form of "Subject - Adjective if required - Action modifier - Action - Object." By studying their writings, a handful of Dragonkin words have been translated, but even more remain not understood. The known words are:

Arakken - dungeon
Crasortius - surrender
Draekeun - dragon
Drakkerkin - dragonkin
Gres - east
Hesente - intruder
Kath - failure, weakling, runt
Kletter - green
Kreath - dark, shadow, black
Lokur - steel
Ortha - first
Tho - south
Verak - king, emperor

3.6) Elvish
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The elves have a complex language that even the greatest human scholars cannot completely comprehend. Reldo describes it as "far more complex, for their tongues are as agile as their minds, and twice as bewildering." Their language was one of the first to exist in Gielinor, as the elves were brought by Seren and Guthix to Gielinor via the World Gate in the early First Age. They have most likely brought it with them from their homeworld, Tarddiad. No human is known to understand the elvish language more than pronunciation approximations. The art of crystal singing is also deeply rooted in the elvish language, although the exact relationship between the two is unclear. The gnome Oaknock is known to have understood Elvish.

The elvish tongue is very similar to the real life language Welsh. Elvish words and named often have appropriate meanings in Welsh, with Prifddinas meaning 'capital city', Cerddi 'songs' and Arianwyn 'leader' for example. Bizarre Boron Fusswell, scryer extraordinaire. OSRS: POH ideas & RS3 minigames & achievement ideas !

Perhaps you're half right; perhaps we can't win. But we can fight.
— Zanik

16-Aug-2014 14:23:35

Lord Drakan
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Lord Drakan

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3.7) Feline
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Cats are an intelligent race of felines with their own language. They were brought to Gielinor by Guthix in the First Age, and Amascut turned her priestesses into cats in the Second, whom Icthlarin granted immortality. Due to limitations in human comprehension, all words spoken by cats are interpreted as "meow" by humans. In order to communicate with cats, the clergy of Sophanem have created the catspeak amulet, which made it possible for humans to communicate with cats, and vice versa. Certain felines (such as the Sphinx) can be understood without a catspeak amulet, which may mean that they can speak the common tongue. Alternatively, cats may make use of a manspeak amulet.

3.8) Goblin language
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The ancient goblin language originated on Yu'biusk. After being forcibly brought to Gielinor in the Second Age by the deity Bandos, the race retained this language for some time. However, the goblins gradually adopted a simplified version of the common tongue. In the modern day, the language is nearly forgotten. The Dorgeshuun of Dorgesh-Kaan have studied the language, and have documented it to a degree.

The goblin language is known to have been spoken by some "Misthalanian" and "Asgarnian" goblins as recently as the early 700's of the Fourth Age. Arrav, a legendary hero of Avarrocka, earnt his name from a curse in the goblin tongue. Some of the few goblin words still in use are the names of the goblin tribes (it would seem 'uun' means 'goblins'):

Dorgeshuun - goblins of the strong spears
{Dra}gokishuun - goblins of the fierce blades
Ekeleshuun - goblins of the east
Garagorshuun - goblins of the sea
Horogothgar - eaters of manflesh
Huzamogarb - live-flesh eaters of the chaos god
Idithuun - goblins of the south
Narogoshuun - goblins of the west
Rekeshuun - goblins of the north
Saragorgak - footsoldiers of holy wrath
Thorobshuun - goblins of the hills
Yur{kol)gok{h} - the flatulent Bizarre Boron Fusswell, scryer extraordinaire. OSRS: POH ideas & RS3 minigames & achievement ideas !

Perhaps you're half right; perhaps we can't win. But we can fight.
— Zanik

16-Aug-2014 14:24:12 - Last edited on 16-Aug-2014 18:00:37 by Lord Drakan

Lord Drakan
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Lord Drakan

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The names of the tribes of other Yu'biuskian races are similar in nature to the goblin words, suggesting there may have been one universal language, likely introduced by Bandos when he found Yu'biusk. In this case, it may well be similar to the language of his own Kal!kra (fine, Kal-i-kra) tribe.

3.9) Gorajo language
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The enigmatic Gorajo possess their own language, but not much is known about it. They have several known "classes" of tribesmen, such as the Brah, Naabe, Sachem and Challem. Exiled Gorajo are known as the Ramokee. It would appear that some Gorajo have learnt the common tongue since their arrival to Daemonheim, given a divine skinweaver's ability to freely communicate with the human Thok Thokson.

3.10) Infernal
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Infernal is the language originally spoken by the Infernal demons of Infernus, and utilised by the Chthonians who rebelled against them. Like their society, it is very advanced and has a complicated grammatical system. When Zaros visited Infernus, he took it with him and it became the official language in his empire. Nowadays, few speak it, with the exception of individuals such as Dionysius or Kinshra priests, who are unaware of its origins.

3.11) Kurask language
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The kurask have a basic language, known to the man thanks to Skuhavi, a kurask outcast for his interest in humans. The words in the language are fairly similar, often making use of the consonants in 'kurask'. There are eight known words in the kurask language:

Skutask - Interest
Shallask - Alas, or an expression of anger/regret
Skarooom - Dooom
Kuraski - A kurask that has completed Kurisk, an adult
Kura - A child, or one who has not completed Kurisk
Kurisk - Rite performed by Kura at the age of 80; named after a legendary kurask hero that first travelled to Karamja
Kuriskia - The name of a kurask city Bizarre Boron Fusswell, scryer extraordinaire. OSRS: POH ideas & RS3 minigames & achievement ideas !

Perhaps you're half right; perhaps we can't win. But we can fight.
— Zanik

16-Aug-2014 14:24:25

Lord Drakan
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Lord Drakan

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3.12) Mahjarrat language
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The Mahjarrat tribe possess their own language, but learnt to speak the common tongue when they came to Gielinor, not least because the very sound of their own tongue is harmful to humans. According to Azzanadra, if a human would hear words in the Mahjarrat language, their "ears would melt from the side of their head." As a result, the only known Mahjarrat word is Freneskae, and even that is but an approximation of the true word. Only one - possible - instance of the language's usage is known, namely when the Zarosian Mahjarrat Sliske claimed the Barrows Brothers as his wights, he could be heard chanting "in some foul, ancient language, casting his old magic."

3.13) Menaphite
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The Menaphite people of the Kharidian Empire are known to possess their own language. Hieroglyphs representing the Menaphite language can be found in temples, pyramids, and other structures throughout the desert, but these may not necessarily be the only written representation.

The book of the Menaphite Pantheon, the Book of Light and Day (not to be confused with Saradomin's holy Book of Light), is traditionally written in the Menaphite language. According to Reldo, the librarian of Varrock Palace, the High Priest of Icthlarin recently sent him an excerpt of the text depicting Tumeken's Dream, which was written in "Menaphosian." It is probable that this is related to, if not synonymous with, the greater Menaphite language.

3.14) Old Gnomish
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Old Gnomish is the language formerly spoken by the gnomes, who have since switched to the common tongue for the greater part. The late Hazelmere the Ethereal was the last known gnome to speak Old Gnomish, even refusing to speak the common tongue until his last stand. Even so, modern gnomes still write and understand Old Gnomish, as shown by the advertisements for Aluft Gianne's restaurant and the gnome glider pilots' maps. Bizarre Boron Fusswell, scryer extraordinaire. OSRS: POH ideas & RS3 minigames & achievement ideas !

Perhaps you're half right; perhaps we can't win. But we can fight.
— Zanik

16-Aug-2014 14:25:11

Lord Drakan
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Lord Drakan

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A full list of known words in the language can be found in the dictionary written by Glough's girlfriend Anita. Additionally, there are several other words that have not been translated to the common tongue yet, such as some of those on Gianne's ads or on one of the scattered pages in the Ancient Cavern.

3.15) Skavid
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The skavids use their own language, Skavid, to prevent their ogre oppressors from understanding them. It appears that Skavid makes extensive use of gutturals and dentals. Known words and phrases are:

Gor Cur Ar
Ar
Tanath Gor Nod
Bidith Tanath Cur [this may mean something like 'don't hit' or be a general expression of fear]
Gor Cur
Ig
Cur Bidit{h} (Ig)
Tanath Gor
Nods

3.16) Simian
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Gielinor's monkey population possesses an advanced language that is unintelligable to other species without a monkeyspeak amulet, akin to the feline language. The monkeys that inhabit Karamja and Ape Atoll speak identically, whereas the "harmless" species native to Mos Le'Harmless speaks a slightly simplified version. Without monkeyspeak amulet, both languages are perceived as unintelligible "ook" and "aak" by human ears.

3.17) Spider language
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The hierarchical spiders possess their own language, which consists entirely of web vibrations, making it impossible to understand for humans. As a result nothing is known about it. Spiders also speak the common tongue, however. Bizarre Boron Fusswell, scryer extraordinaire. OSRS: POH ideas & RS3 minigames & achievement ideas !

Perhaps you're half right; perhaps we can't win. But we can fight.
— Zanik

16-Aug-2014 14:25:22 - Last edited on 16-Aug-2014 18:01:42 by Lord Drakan

Lord Drakan
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Lord Drakan

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3.18) Stalker language
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The Stalker race that was brought to Daemonheim by the {M}ahjarrat Bilrach speaks a highly complex language that only they understand. Not unlike the Mahjarrat language, the Stalker language will physically harm most races if heard. The combination of audible and inaudible sounds is known to cause heavy bleeding from the nose and severe headaches, even after brief periods of exposure. When necessary, Stalkers also are known to use the common tongue. The names they give themselves in the common tongue are often complicated because of the complexity of their own language, as can be observed in the names of Stalkers such as Lakhrahnaz, Khighorahk, or Haasghenahk, which are simplifications of their actual names. Much like void pests, Stalkers have a hive mind and can communicate telepathically as well.

3.19) TzHaar language
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The TokHaar and TzHaar have a unique language and counting system. Words are made up of small, descriptive one-syllable-words in order to get the correct meaning. As such, the words are based more on passion and emotion behind the word rather than the literal meaning. The TzHaar's unique ability to pass their knowledge directly on to their descendants meant that the minimal contact they had with the surface during their almost complete isolation was enough for several TzHaar to learn the common tongue, according to Samuel Scourduel. This has been passed on to the TzHaar of today, who will speak the common tongue to those visiting the city.

A collection of TzHaar words and phrases can be found in a TzHaar tourist guide in Varrock library, and Dionysius also has written up a few translations (postbags 12 and 14). For example, the TzHaar-Ket's preferred weapon, an obsidian maul, is called the Tok-Ket-Om, or hard/stone-guard/large-club/maul. Bizarre Boron Fusswell, scryer extraordinaire. OSRS: POH ideas & RS3 minigames & achievement ideas !

Perhaps you're half right; perhaps we can't win. But we can fight.
— Zanik

16-Aug-2014 14:25:38 - Last edited on 16-Aug-2014 18:01:56 by Lord Drakan

Lord Drakan
Sep Member 2010

Lord Drakan

Posts: 7,043 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
3.20) Werewolf language
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The werewolves that inhabit Morytania are known to speak their own language apart from the common tongue. According to the werewolf Jerrod, young werewolves are only taught the common tongue when they reach adulthood, and until then speak only the werewolf language.

3.21) Wyvern language
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The wyvern species possessed a language of its own prior to its extinction. Given their close relationship to dragons, it is probable that the language was derived at least partially from that of dragons or the dragonkin. Postie Pete claims to speak wyvern, implying that it has not completely died out. Bizarre Boron Fusswell, scryer extraordinaire. OSRS: POH ideas & RS3 minigames & achievement ideas !

Perhaps you're half right; perhaps we can't win. But we can fight.
— Zanik

16-Aug-2014 14:26:11

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