Difference between revisions of "High Valyrian"
(→See Also) |
(references) |
||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
− | '''High Valyrian''' | + | '''High Valyrian''' is a language originating from [[Valyria]] and the [[Valyrian Freehold]]. It is no longer widely spoken due to the [[Doom of Valyria]], although there are songs and books still sung and read in it. In [[Westeros]], highborn children, specifically the [[House Targaryen|Targaryens]], are taught Valyrian as a sign of their noble education.{{ref|AGOT|11}}{{ref|ASOS|60}} Corrupted dialects known as '''bastard Valyrian''' are spoken in the [[Free Cities]] and [[Slaver's Bay]]. |
− | According to [[ | + | According to [[George R. R. Martin]], |
− | {{Quote|[[w:Tolkien|Tolkien]] was a philologist, and an Oxford don, and could spend decades laboriously inventing [[w:Elvish languages (Middle-earth)|Elvish]] in all its detail. I, alas, am only a hardworking SF and fantasy novel, and I don't have his gift for languages. That is to say, I have not actually created a Valyrian language. The best I could do was try to sketch in each of the chief tongues of my imaginary world in broad strokes, and give them each their characteristic sounds and spellings.<ref>[ http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1250/ | + | {{Quote|[[w:Tolkien|Tolkien]] was a philologist, and an Oxford don, and could spend decades laboriously inventing [[w:Elvish languages (Middle-earth)|Elvish]] in all its detail. I, alas, am only a hardworking SF and fantasy novel, and I don't have his gift for languages. That is to say, I have not actually created a Valyrian language. The best I could do was try to sketch in each of the chief tongues of my imaginary world in broad strokes, and give them each their characteristic sounds and spellings.<ref>So Spake Martin: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1250/ Yet More Questions]</ref>}} |
==Language== | ==Language== | ||
[[House Targaryen]] came from Valyria and thus its members can be considered to have High Valyrian names. Such as: | [[House Targaryen]] came from Valyria and thus its members can be considered to have High Valyrian names. Such as: | ||
{{Columns|3| | {{Columns|3| | ||
− | *''Ayrmidon'' | + | *''Ayrmidon''{{ref|AGOT|9}} |
*''Aegon'' | *''Aegon'' | ||
*''Aemon'' | *''Aemon'' | ||
Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
*''Rhaella'' | *''Rhaella'' | ||
*''Viserys'' | *''Viserys'' | ||
− | *''Daenerys'' | + | *''Daenerys''{{ref|ADWD|15}} |
− | *''Aerion'' | + | *''Aerion''{{ref|ACOK|6}} |
− | *''Maelys'' | + | *''Maelys''{{ref|ASOS|67}} |
− | *''Alysanne'' | + | *''Alysanne''{{ref|ASOS|40}} |
}} | }} | ||
− | Houses | + | Houses [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]], [[House Velaryon|Velaryon]], [[House Celtigar|Celtigar]], and [[House Qoherys|Qoherys]], being of Valyrian descent, are probably also Valyrian names.<ref>Citadel. Heraldry: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Houses/1/#In%20the%20area%20of%20King's%20Landing/ In the area of King's Landing]</ref><ref>The Citadel. Heraldry: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/Heraldry/Houses/4/ Houses in the Riverlands]</ref> |
− | The Valyrians most likely gave names in Valyrian to their [[dragons]], as: | + | The Valyrians most likely gave names in Valyrian to their [[dragons]], as: "The singers had given them the names of gods: [[Balerion]], [[Meraxes]], [[Vhagar]]."{{ref|AGOT|13}} |
− | However, not all | + | However, not all dragons of [[House Targaryen]] had Valyrian names; Queen [[Alysanne Targaryen]]'s dragon was named [[Silverwing]]. {{ref|ASOS|40}} |
Eight of the nine [[Free Cities]], being founded as colonies of the [[Valyrian Freehold]], most likely bear Valyrian names, | Eight of the nine [[Free Cities]], being founded as colonies of the [[Valyrian Freehold]], most likely bear Valyrian names, | ||
Line 48: | Line 48: | ||
*''[[Valysar]]'' | *''[[Valysar]]'' | ||
*''[[Selhorys]]'' | *''[[Selhorys]]'' | ||
− | It is also likely that ''[[Tolos]], [[Elyria]], [[Oros]], [[Tyria]], [[Velos]]'' and ''[[Mantarys]]'' are names in Valyrian, being cities | + | It is also likely that ''[[Tolos]], [[Elyria]], [[Oros]], [[Tyria]], [[Velos]]'' and ''[[Mantarys]]'' are names in Valyrian, being cities close to Old Valyria.<ref>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Map of Valyria|Map of Valyria]]</ref> |
− | The phrase | + | The phrase ''[[Valar Morghulis]]''{{ref|ACOK|47}} is translated as "all men must die."{{ref|ASOS|27}} A counterpart phrase, ''[[Valar Dohaeris]]'',{{ref|AFFC|6}} is translated as "all men must serve."{{ref|AFFC|34}} |
− | The word | + | The word ''dracarys'' is translated as meaning "dragonfire." <ref>[[A Storm of Swords]] p.93</ref> Obsidian is called ''[[dragonglass]]'' in the Common Tongue, but ''frozen fire'' in High Valyrian. This may be a direct translation of obsidian, the word, but given the word ''dracarys'', it is not likely.{{ref|ASOS|78}}''[[Valonqar]]'' is the word for ''little brother.''{{ref|AFFC|39}} High Valyrian is the most likely source language for ''maegi'' (pronounced differently from 'Maggy'),{{ref|AFFC|36}} which means "wise".{{ref|AGOT|72}} |
− | The Valyrian writing system, or at least a Valyrian writing system, is described as involving glyphs. | + | The Valyrian writing system, or at least a Valyrian writing system, is described as involving glyphs.{{ref|AGOT|3}} It was also probably standard practice to write on scrolls, and not in books.{{ref|ACOK|6}} The glyphs can also be inscribed, as on an old Valyrian dragonhorn, which, when sounded, had "every line and letter shimmering with white fire."{{ref|AFFC|19}} |
− | [[Valyrian steel]] is forged with spells, as well as hammers. Those spells were assumed to be in Valyrian, or another, unknown language. | + | [[Valyrian steel]] is forged with spells, as well as hammers. Those spells were assumed to be in Valyrian, or another, unknown language.{{ref|AGOT|1}} Some smiths still know them, although not entirely.{{ref|ASOS|32}} |
== Bastard Valyrian == | == Bastard Valyrian == | ||
− | Bastard Valyrian | + | Bastard Valyrian includes the languages of the nine [[Free Cities]].{{ref|AGOT|11}} Each of the cities has its own dialect, and each dialect likely has its own separate derived vocabulary. |
− | The Free Cities use Valyrian glyphs, as | + | The Free Cities use Valyrian glyphs, as "[[Arya Stark|Sark]] could not read the name painted on the hull; the words were strange, Myrish, Braavosi, perhaps even High Valyrian."{{ref|AGOT|65}} The Ghiscari use glyphs to write Valyrian.{{ref|ASOS|23}} |
− | Valyrian is described as sounding "liquid". | + | Valyrian is described as sounding "liquid".{{ref|ACOK|27}} |
== Slaver Cities == | == Slaver Cities == | ||
− | The [[Slaver's Bay | + | The [[Slaver's Bay]] cities of [[Yunkai]], [[Meereen]], and [[Astapor]] have their own versions of bastard Valyrian, which have been influenced mainly by [[Ghis]]cari. |
− | + | Astapori Valyrian is described as having a "characteristic growl," influenced by Ghiscari.{{ref|ASOS|23}} Also, [[Syrio Forel]] "had an accent, the lilt of the [[Free Cities]], [[Braavos]] perhaps, or [[Myr]]."{{ref|AGOT|22}} One of the [[Brave Companions]] is described as having a "thick [[Myr]]ish accent."{{ref|ASOS|39}} | |
− | + | Yunkai has its own variations on Valyrian. | |
− | : [[Daenerys Targaryen | + | : [[Daenerys Targaryen]] asks: "[[Missandei]], what language will these Yunkai'i speak, Valyrian?" |
− | : | + | : "Yes, Your Grace," the child said. "A different dialect than Astapor's, yet close enough to understand. The slavers name themselves the [[Wise Masters]]."{{ref|ASOS|42}} |
− | Yunkai used to be part of [[ | + | Yunkai used to be part of the [[Ghiscari Empire]], and has at least languages tongues which are spoken in the city. ''Mhysa, Maela, Aelalla, Qathei,'' and ''Tato'' are given as names for "mother", but which tongue fits which name is unknown (excepting the first, which is Ghiscari).{{ref|ASOS|42}} |
==Some characters that are familiar with High Valyrian== | ==Some characters that are familiar with High Valyrian== | ||
− | *[[Daenerys Targaryen]] {{Ref|ASOS|23}} | + | *[[Daenerys Targaryen]]{{Ref|ASOS|23}} |
− | *[[Arya Stark]] – was taught High Valyrian by | + | *[[Arya Stark]] – was taught High Valyrian by Maester [[Luwin]] but in [[Braavos]] the [[Kindly Man]] insists that she improve it. |
− | *Septa [[Saranella]] – it was she who told [[Cersei Lannister]] the meaning of ''valonqar'' | + | *Septa [[Saranella]] – it was she who told [[Cersei Lannister]] the meaning of ''valonqar''{{Ref|aFfC|39}} |
*[[Tyrion Lannister]] – learned to read High Valyrian on his [[maester]]’s knee. | *[[Tyrion Lannister]] – learned to read High Valyrian on his [[maester]]’s knee. | ||
− | *Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] - has some High Valyrian, though not as much as | + | *Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] - has some High Valyrian, though not as much as Dany{{Ref|ASOS|23}} |
*[[Missandei]] | *[[Missandei]] | ||
− | *[[Melisandre]] - known to pray in High Valyrian | + | *[[Melisandre]] - known to pray in High Valyrian{{Ref|aCoK|10|p 146}} |
− | *[[Samwell Tarly]] – only has a little High Valyrian {{Ref|aFfC|26}} | + | *[[Samwell Tarly]] – only has a little High Valyrian{{Ref|aFfC|26}} |
− | *[[Gerris Drinkwater]] - speaks a halting approximation of High Valyrian {{Ref|ADWD|6}} | + | *[[Gerris Drinkwater]] - speaks a halting approximation of High Valyrian{{Ref|ADWD|6}} |
− | *[[Quentyn Martell]] - can read and write High Valyrian but has little practice speaking it | + | *[[Quentyn Martell]] - can read and write High Valyrian but has little practice speaking it{{Ref|ADWD|6}} |
− | *[[Aegon Targaryen]] - is fluent in High Valyrian {{Ref|ADWD|6}} | + | *[[Aegon Targaryen]] - is fluent in High Valyrian{{Ref|ADWD|6}} |
*[[Haldon]] Halfmaester | *[[Haldon]] Halfmaester | ||
− | *The [[Tattered Prince]] - he says | + | *The [[Tattered Prince]] - he says "and now we ride" to his men in a classic High Valyrian{{Ref|aDwD|25}} |
− | *The men of the [[Windblown]] - the closest thing they have to a company tongue is classic High Valyrian | + | *The men of the [[Windblown]] - the closest thing they have to a company tongue is classic High Valyrian{{Ref|aDwD|25}} |
− | *[[Sweets]] – is fluent in High Valyrian | + | *[[Sweets]] – is fluent in High Valyrian{{Ref|ADWD|47}} |
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
Line 108: | Line 108: | ||
[[Category:Languages]] | [[Category:Languages]] | ||
[[Category:Valyria]] | [[Category:Valyria]] | ||
+ | |||
[[es:Alto Valyrio]] | [[es:Alto Valyrio]] | ||
− | [[fr:Haut valyrien]][[zh:高等瓦雷利亚语]] | + | [[fr:Haut valyrien]] |
+ | [[zh:高等瓦雷利亚语]] |
Revision as of 19:03, 17 July 2014
High Valyrian is a language originating from Valyria and the Valyrian Freehold. It is no longer widely spoken due to the Doom of Valyria, although there are songs and books still sung and read in it. In Westeros, highborn children, specifically the Targaryens, are taught Valyrian as a sign of their noble education.[1][2] Corrupted dialects known as bastard Valyrian are spoken in the Free Cities and Slaver's Bay.
According to George R. R. Martin,
Tolkien was a philologist, and an Oxford don, and could spend decades laboriously inventing Elvish in all its detail. I, alas, am only a hardworking SF and fantasy novel, and I don't have his gift for languages. That is to say, I have not actually created a Valyrian language. The best I could do was try to sketch in each of the chief tongues of my imaginary world in broad strokes, and give them each their characteristic sounds and spellings.[3]
Contents
Language
House Targaryen came from Valyria and thus its members can be considered to have High Valyrian names. Such as:
Houses Baratheon, Velaryon, Celtigar, and Qoherys, being of Valyrian descent, are probably also Valyrian names.[9][10]
The Valyrians most likely gave names in Valyrian to their dragons, as: "The singers had given them the names of gods: Balerion, Meraxes, Vhagar."[11] However, not all dragons of House Targaryen had Valyrian names; Queen Alysanne Targaryen's dragon was named Silverwing. [8]
Eight of the nine Free Cities, being founded as colonies of the Valyrian Freehold, most likely bear Valyrian names,
As well as Volantis's satellite cities,
It is also likely that Tolos, Elyria, Oros, Tyria, Velos and Mantarys are names in Valyrian, being cities close to Old Valyria.[12]
The phrase Valar Morghulis[13] is translated as "all men must die."[14] A counterpart phrase, Valar Dohaeris,[15] is translated as "all men must serve."[16]
The word dracarys is translated as meaning "dragonfire." [17] Obsidian is called dragonglass in the Common Tongue, but frozen fire in High Valyrian. This may be a direct translation of obsidian, the word, but given the word dracarys, it is not likely.[18]Valonqar is the word for little brother.[19] High Valyrian is the most likely source language for maegi (pronounced differently from 'Maggy'),[20] which means "wise".[21]
The Valyrian writing system, or at least a Valyrian writing system, is described as involving glyphs.[22] It was also probably standard practice to write on scrolls, and not in books.[6] The glyphs can also be inscribed, as on an old Valyrian dragonhorn, which, when sounded, had "every line and letter shimmering with white fire."[23]
Valyrian steel is forged with spells, as well as hammers. Those spells were assumed to be in Valyrian, or another, unknown language.[24] Some smiths still know them, although not entirely.[25]
Bastard Valyrian
Bastard Valyrian includes the languages of the nine Free Cities.[1] Each of the cities has its own dialect, and each dialect likely has its own separate derived vocabulary.
The Free Cities use Valyrian glyphs, as "Sark could not read the name painted on the hull; the words were strange, Myrish, Braavosi, perhaps even High Valyrian."[26] The Ghiscari use glyphs to write Valyrian.[27]
Valyrian is described as sounding "liquid".[28]
Slaver Cities
The Slaver's Bay cities of Yunkai, Meereen, and Astapor have their own versions of bastard Valyrian, which have been influenced mainly by Ghiscari.
Astapori Valyrian is described as having a "characteristic growl," influenced by Ghiscari.[27] Also, Syrio Forel "had an accent, the lilt of the Free Cities, Braavos perhaps, or Myr."[29] One of the Brave Companions is described as having a "thick Myrish accent."[30]
Yunkai has its own variations on Valyrian.
- Daenerys Targaryen asks: "Missandei, what language will these Yunkai'i speak, Valyrian?"
- "Yes, Your Grace," the child said. "A different dialect than Astapor's, yet close enough to understand. The slavers name themselves the Wise Masters."[31]
Yunkai used to be part of the Ghiscari Empire, and has at least languages tongues which are spoken in the city. Mhysa, Maela, Aelalla, Qathei, and Tato are given as names for "mother", but which tongue fits which name is unknown (excepting the first, which is Ghiscari).[31]
Some characters that are familiar with High Valyrian
- Daenerys Targaryen[27]
- Arya Stark – was taught High Valyrian by Maester Luwin but in Braavos the Kindly Man insists that she improve it.
- Septa Saranella – it was she who told Cersei Lannister the meaning of valonqar[19]
- Tyrion Lannister – learned to read High Valyrian on his maester’s knee.
- Ser Barristan Selmy - has some High Valyrian, though not as much as Dany[27]
- Missandei
- Melisandre - known to pray in High Valyrian[32]
- Samwell Tarly – only has a little High Valyrian[33]
- Gerris Drinkwater - speaks a halting approximation of High Valyrian[34]
- Quentyn Martell - can read and write High Valyrian but has little practice speaking it[34]
- Aegon Targaryen - is fluent in High Valyrian[34]
- Haldon Halfmaester
- The Tattered Prince - he says "and now we ride" to his men in a classic High Valyrian[35]
- The men of the Windblown - the closest thing they have to a company tongue is classic High Valyrian[35]
- Sweets – is fluent in High Valyrian[36]
See Also
- Valyrian languages on Wikipedia.
- High Valyrian 101: Learn and Pronounce Common Phrases By Katie M. Lucas
References and Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 60, Tyrion VIII.
- ↑ So Spake Martin: Yet More Questions
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 9, Tyrion I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 15, Davos II.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 6, Jon I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 67, Jaime VIII.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 40, Bran III.
- ↑ Citadel. Heraldry: In the area of King's Landing
- ↑ The Citadel. Heraldry: Houses in the Riverlands
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 13, Tyrion II.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Map of Valyria
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 47, Arya IX.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 27, Daenerys III.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 6, Arya I.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 34, Cat Of The Canals.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords p.93
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 78, Samwell V.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 39, Cersei IX.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 36, Cersei VIII.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 72, Daenerys X.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 1, Bran I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 32, Tyrion IV.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 65, Arya V.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 23, Daenerys II.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 27, Daenerys II.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya II.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 39, Arya VII.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 42, Daenerys IV.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 10, Davos I, p 146.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 26, Samwell III.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 6, The Merchant's Man.
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 25, The Windblown.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 47, Tyrion X.
- The material on this p.is taken from the web p.Other_languages at Dothraki Wiki that is owned by dothraki.org and may be used for noncommercial purposes.