Difference between revisions of "High Valyrian"

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'''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]].
 
'''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 [[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>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:  
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*The men of the [[Windblown]] - the closest thing they have to a company tongue is classic High Valyrian{{Ref|aDwD|25}}
 
*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{{Ref|ADWD|47}}
 
*[[Sweets]] – is fluent in High Valyrian{{Ref|ADWD|47}}
 +
 +
==Behind the Scenes==
 +
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>So Spake Martin: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/1250/ Yet More Questions]</ref>}}
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==

Revision as of 19:05, 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.

Language

House Targaryen came from Valyria and thus its members can be considered to have High Valyrian names. Such as:

  • Ayrmidon[3]
  • Aegon
  • Aemon
  • Aerys
  • Jaehaerys
  • Rhaegar
  • Visenya
  • Rhaenys
  • Aenys
  • Maegor
  • Daeron
  • Rhaenyra
  • Baelor
  • Naerys
  • Maekar
  • Rhaella
  • Viserys
  • Daenerys[4]
  • Aerion[5]
  • Maelys[6]
  • Alysanne[7]

Houses Baratheon, Velaryon, Celtigar, and Qoherys, being of Valyrian descent, are probably also Valyrian names.[8][9]

The Valyrians most likely gave names in Valyrian to their dragons, as: "The singers had given them the names of gods: Balerion, Meraxes, Vhagar."[10] However, not all dragons of House Targaryen had Valyrian names; Queen Alysanne Targaryen's dragon was named Silverwing. [7]

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.[11]

The phrase Valar Morghulis‎[12] is translated as "all men must die."[13] A counterpart phrase, Valar Dohaeris,[14] is translated as "all men must serve."[15]

The word dracarys is translated as meaning "dragonfire." [16] 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.[17]Valonqar is the word for little brother.[18] High Valyrian is the most likely source language for maegi (pronounced differently from 'Maggy'),[19] which means "wise".[20]

The Valyrian writing system, or at least a Valyrian writing system, is described as involving glyphs.[21] It was also probably standard practice to write on scrolls, and not in books.[5] The glyphs can also be inscribed, as on an old Valyrian dragonhorn, which, when sounded, had "every line and letter shimmering with white fire."[22]

Valyrian steel is forged with spells, as well as hammers. Those spells were assumed to be in Valyrian, or another, unknown language.[23] Some smiths still know them, although not entirely.[24]

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."[25] The Ghiscari use glyphs to write Valyrian.[26]

Valyrian is described as sounding "liquid".[27]

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.[26] Also, Syrio Forel "had an accent, the lilt of the Free Cities, Braavos perhaps, or Myr."[28] One of the Brave Companions is described as having a "thick Myrish accent."[29]

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."[30]

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).[30]

Some characters that are familiar with High Valyrian

Behind the Scenes

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.[36]

See Also

References and Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
  2. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 60, Tyrion VIII.
  3. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 9, Tyrion I.
  4. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 15, Davos II.
  5. 5.0 5.1 A Clash of Kings, Chapter 6, Jon I.
  6. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 67, Jaime VIII.
  7. 7.0 7.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 40, Bran III.
  8. Citadel. Heraldry: In the area of King's Landing
  9. The Citadel. Heraldry: Houses in the Riverlands
  10. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 13, Tyrion II.
  11. A Dance with Dragons, Map of Valyria
  12. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 47, Arya IX.
  13. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 27, Daenerys III.
  14. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 6, Arya I.
  15. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 34, Cat Of The Canals.
  16. A Storm of Swords p.93
  17. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 78, Samwell V.
  18. 18.0 18.1 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 39, Cersei IX.
  19. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 36, Cersei VIII.
  20. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 72, Daenerys X.
  21. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 3, Daenerys I.
  22. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 19, The Drowned Man.
  23. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 1, Bran I.
  24. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 32, Tyrion IV.
  25. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 65, Arya V.
  26. 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 23, Daenerys II.
  27. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 27, Daenerys II.
  28. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 22, Arya II.
  29. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 39, Arya VII.
  30. 30.0 30.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 42, Daenerys IV.
  31. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 10, Davos I, p 146.
  32. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 26, Samwell III.
  33. 33.0 33.1 33.2 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 6, The Merchant's Man.
  34. 34.0 34.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 25, The Windblown.
  35. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 47, Tyrion X.
  36. So Spake Martin: Yet More Questions
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