A Lesson in Dragonspeak

[Fernehalwes]

This is all amazing stuff, but I have a request. Is it possible to add the IPA for the examples?

Like for example, with "sj sja[h]s" (vengeance), i'm guessing it's pronounced as [st͡ʃʰas] ?

Or from you description of "ft fta[h]r" (after/later), can i assume it's pronounced as [fθaʰɺ] ? Also, since you didn't really mention, I assume the "r" is an approximant, as having an aspirated [a] followed by a schwa wouldn't really make any sense.

Also from your description of "y dy[h]r" (differ/different), I assume the "y" is a palatal approximant, and since you mentioned it ending into a long vowel, the "r" would more of a schwa rather than a alveolar approximant. So I assume it sounds something close like this, [djʰə].

I see that is your first post, Maikaijin! Thanks for coming out of the aether just to comment on the unique sounds of dragonspeak!

Your assumption that the Rs following aspirated vowels are approximants is correct. The best way to describe the sound would be a bass-heavy, throaty rumble that feels like it originates not in the layrnx, but somewhere deeper... It's safe to say that an accurate reproduction by a non-dragon is impossible, due to the difference in vocal fold make-up.

I've purposefully left out the IPA from my post (and the dictionary) because I wanted something that better represented the current state of Eorzean knowledge on the language. Like I mentioned in an earlier reply, information is scarce, and so even scholars on the subject are still mostly in the dark on the complex tongue's intricacies. It's not like they have access to devices that can easily record and analyze data...let alone access to the dragons who are speaking it. And even if a linguist did make his way into Anyx Trine without getting robbed by bandits, garroted by a Gnath, or pecked to death by a chocobo, I'm uncertain he'd succeed in getting Vidfonir to chat with him for a series of 8-bell sessions.

That said, I can say that what you came up with for sj, ft, and y are extremely close to what I have in my documentation. sj is tough, as there's a bit more going on than just st͡ʃʰ (which is already a lot), and the while the aspirated T in [ft] is close to θ, the airflow around the tongue is far more limited, which is why T was chosen as a simple transliteration (rather than TH).

Man... You can imagine what it's like trying to get a voice actor to follow these...

Again, thank you very much for your post. Answering queries like these is the best part of my job! Okay, not true. Going out for steak and craft beer with Yoshi-P is the best part of my job, but answering queries on the forums about phonation is a CLOSE second.

[PLitz]

So if "morn" translates to "death" in Eorzean. Would it be correct to assume that "akh" translates to "flare"? And if so, what does "afah" translate to?

[Annana]

So if "morn" translates to "death" in Eorzean. Would it be correct to assume that "akh" translates to "flare"? And if so, what does "afah" translate to?

If I recall correctly, Akh Morn is "Death Circle" or "Circle of Death" and Akh Afah is "Eternal Circle" or "Circle of Eternity".

[Anemone-aura]

Interesting!
Is there any chance I could read Japanse version of this article?

[Kayokane]

so are the nehd sorn gahr heretics(ne[h]d<no god> *assumed) of the Army of Hate/Anger or Leaders([n]ehd) of the Army of Hate/Anger? xD Based on the newly added dragonspeak dictionary both can be correct because the in-game name doesn't have the bracket notation. I want to assume they are the latter and not the former. :3

(it would probably be Hate Army Leader/Heretic if I wanted correct ordering wouldn't it?)

[Velox]

Thank you for that catch, Velox! Updated the file.

I think I found another two mistakes.

In the same quote, you say that Sohm Al (which was mispelled as Ahl in your post) translates to "eternal slumber." Eternal is "afa[h]" in dragonspeak. Sohm Al would translate to "the promised sleep/slumber."

Also in your abridged dictionary post, you have "peace" translating to "slumber" in dragonspeak. I'm assuming this isn't intended. :P

[Fernehalwes]

I think I found another two mistakes.

In the same quote, you say that Sohm Al (which was mispelled as Ahl in your post) translates to "eternal slumber." Eternal is "afa[h]" in dragonspeak. Sohm Al would translate to "the promised sleep/slumber."

Also in your abridged dictionary post, you have "peace" translating to "slumber" in dragonspeak. I'm assuming this isn't intended. :P

GAH! Thank you again. I'll fix the first (you are right). As for the second, peace and slumber are the same word in dragonspeak...but yeah, I should have so[h]m there, not slumber.

YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST PROOFREADERS!

[StarDrake]

GAH! Thank you again. I'll fix the first (you are right). As for the second, peace and slumber are the same word in dragonspeak...but yeah, I should have so[h]m there, not slumber.

YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST PROOFREADERS!

Being proofread by one's own players is a time-honored tradition. (I should know.)

Also this post is completely amazing, thank you for making it. When I have a little more time to digest it all, I'm sure I'll have a few questions of my own!

[Velox]

Also in your abridged dictionary post, you have "peace" translating to "slumber" in dragonspeak. I'm assuming this isn't intended. :P

To add to this, if this translation is indeed correct, would this imply that Eorzean's adopted the term for sleeping? And if so, why wouldn't they just adopt sohm as their word for sleep (even though sleep is pretty peaceful in itself)?

[Applesnap]

Thank you for the gift of lore, Fernehawles. I admire your dedication and it's plain to see your love of Eorzea, so all I can ask is that you keep up the amazing work! It's interesting to learn more the dragons, to see they're much more than simple beasts Ishgardians would have us slay without thought. Very sad in many ways. So much hate and prejudice based on generations of fighting each other, and no real end in sight due to Nidhogg's influence.