Chakobsa
Encyclopedia
Chakobsa is a fictional language used by the Fremen
people of the Dune universe
created by Frank Herbert
. In the series of novels which begins with Dune
, the language is said to be based on another fictitious language, the Bhotani Jib. Herbert presumably took the name from Chakobsa, the "hunting language" of the Caucasus (cf. Lesley Blanch, The Sabres of Paradise (1960), p. 21), an anglicized form of Adyghe
щакIуэбзэ /šhak'oe-bze/ "hunter's language" (щакIуэ 'hunter,' бзэ 'language').
Examples of the language from the books are actually a mixture of Roma (or gypsy) language
, from a gypsy magic textbook Herbert used for reference, one sentence in Serbo-Croat and various Arabic
terms, with definitions altered slightly to suggest the passage of time.
Dune Encyclopedia (1984) by Willis E. McNelly
includes extensive descriptions of the Fremen language. The Encyclopedia was approved by Herbert but rendered erroneous in some areas through Herbert's later works in the Dune series.
TV miniseries
Frank Herbert's Children of Dune includes a song by Brian Tyler
entitled "Inama Nushif
", which is claimed to contain lyrics sung in Fremen. According to miniseries director
Greg Yaitanes
, Tyler claimed that he "searched through Herbert's books and deciphered enough of the fictional Fremen language to write this powerful song." However in reality the song is an alteration of a speech by Muad'dib published in The Dune Encyclopedia, expanded with some repetitions, and a different 'translation' attached to it. The original text's first lines are "Innama nishuf"
"Ekkeri-akairi, fillissin-follas. Kivi a-kavi, nakalas! Nakalas! Ukair-an ... jan, jan, jan ... .
(Translation "This is the water of (the new owner). Never the more to be measured or counted by the heartbeats of (the old owner). Go, go, go...")
Fremen
The Fremen are a group of people in the fictional Dune universe created by Frank Herbert. First appearing in the 1965 novel Dune, the Fremen inhabit the desert planet Arrakis and are based on the desert-dwelling Bedouin and Kalahari Bushmen. In Herbert's novels, Arrakis is the sole known source...
people of the Dune universe
Dune universe
Dune is a science fiction franchise which originated with the 1965 novel Dune by Frank Herbert. Considered by many to be the greatest science fiction novel of all time, Dune is frequently cited as the best-selling science fiction novel in history...
created by Frank Herbert
Frank Herbert
Franklin Patrick Herbert, Jr. was a critically acclaimed and commercially successful American science fiction author. Although a short story author, he is best known for his novels, most notably Dune and its five sequels...
. In the series of novels which begins with Dune
Dune (novel)
Dune is a science fiction novel written by Frank Herbert, published in 1965. It won the Hugo Award in 1966, and the inaugural Nebula Award for Best Novel...
, the language is said to be based on another fictitious language, the Bhotani Jib. Herbert presumably took the name from Chakobsa, the "hunting language" of the Caucasus (cf. Lesley Blanch, The Sabres of Paradise (1960), p. 21), an anglicized form of Adyghe
Adyghe language
Adyghe language , also known as West Circassian , is one of the two official languages of the Republic of Adygea in the Russian Federation, the other being Russian. It is spoken by various tribes of the Adyghe people: Abzekh, Adamey, Bzhedugh; Hatukuay, Kemirgoy, Makhosh; Natekuay, Shapsigh; Zhane,...
щакIуэбзэ /šhak'oe-bze/ "hunter's language" (щакIуэ 'hunter,' бзэ 'language').
Examples of the language from the books are actually a mixture of Roma (or gypsy) language
Romani language
Romani or Romany, Gypsy or Gipsy is any of several languages of the Romani people. They are Indic, sometimes classified in the "Central" or "Northwestern" zone, and sometimes treated as a branch of their own....
, from a gypsy magic textbook Herbert used for reference, one sentence in Serbo-Croat and various Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
terms, with definitions altered slightly to suggest the passage of time.
The Dune Encyclopedia
The non-canonCanon (fiction)
In the context of a work of fiction, the term canon denotes the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe's fan base. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction, which are not considered canonical...
Dune Encyclopedia (1984) by Willis E. McNelly
Willis E. McNelly
Willis Everett McNelly was a professor and writer best known for The Dune Encyclopedia, the 1984 companion to Frank Herbert's classic Dune series of science fiction novels....
includes extensive descriptions of the Fremen language. The Encyclopedia was approved by Herbert but rendered erroneous in some areas through Herbert's later works in the Dune series.
2003 miniseries
The 2003 Sci Fi ChannelSci Fi Channel (United States)
Syfy , formerly known as the Sci-Fi Channel and SCI FI, is an American cable television channel featuring science fiction, supernatural, fantasy, reality, paranormal, wrestling, and horror programming. Launched on September 24, 1992, it is part of the entertainment conglomerate NBCUniversal, a...
TV miniseries
Miniseries
A miniseries , in a serial storytelling medium, is a television show production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. The exact number is open to interpretation; however, they are usually limited to fewer than a whole season. The term "miniseries" is generally a North American term...
Frank Herbert's Children of Dune includes a song by Brian Tyler
Brian Tyler (composer)
Brian Tyler is an American composer, producer, conductor, and film producer most known for his scores of Eagle Eye, The Expendables, Battle: Los Angeles, The Final Destination, Rambo, Fast & Furious, Fast Five, and Final Destination 5. Tyler is a symphonic conductor and conducts his own scores....
entitled "Inama Nushif
Inama Nushif
"Inama Nushif" is a track from the soundtrack to the 2003 Sci Fi Channel mini-series Frank Herbert's Children of Dune. It is sung entirely in the fictional Fremen language by Azam Ali...
", which is claimed to contain lyrics sung in Fremen. According to miniseries director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
Greg Yaitanes
Greg Yaitanes
Greg Yaitanes is an American television and film director.-Directing career:*Damages **"Jesus, Mary and Joe Cocker" **"A Pretty Girl in a Leotard" *Lost...
, Tyler claimed that he "searched through Herbert's books and deciphered enough of the fictional Fremen language to write this powerful song." However in reality the song is an alteration of a speech by Muad'dib published in The Dune Encyclopedia, expanded with some repetitions, and a different 'translation' attached to it. The original text's first lines are "Innama nishuf"
Textual example
An example of Chakobsa is seen in the ancient funeral ritual of the Fremen in which the water of a dead tribesman is magically blessed:"Ekkeri-akairi, fillissin-follas. Kivi a-kavi, nakalas! Nakalas! Ukair-an ... jan, jan, jan ... .
(Translation "This is the water of (the new owner). Never the more to be measured or counted by the heartbeats of (the old owner). Go, go, go...")
See also
- Language and linguistics in Frank Herbert's Dune