Old Tongue
Encyclopedia
The Old Tongue is a fictional language
from Robert Jordan
's The Wheel of Time
fantasy
series. It is depicted as a now-dead language, spoken only by scholars and certain nobles, but still plays a role in the plot of the books.
seem to have some knowledge of it as well, probably taught in the Tower, to say nothing of the scholars to whom such things are of great interest.
But though it has long since passed out of use, its importance should not be underestimated. It is the language of such great figures as Artur Hawkwing, Lews Therin Telamon
and the Hundred Companions, as well as that of the Forsaken
. It was spoken by a society that was, by all remaining accounts, quite advanced in most respects, and it was the language of those who struggled to mend their shattered societies in the aftermath of the Breaking. It did nothing less than survive a minor armageddon, and usher in the dawn of a new world.
At present, the Old Tongue can still be seen through names of places (e.g. Manetheren or Aridhol, or even Alcair Dal), things (e.g. names of Aiel
warrior societies), inscriptions (e.g. "Tia mi aven Moridin isainde vadin
"), and in certain phrases used in conversation, especially by Matrim Cauthon, who inherited fluency in the language from the memories he received from the Eelfinn, but before knew the language piecemeal.
books.
Fictional language
Fictional languages are by far the largest group of artistic languages. Fictional languages are intended to be the languages of a fictional world and are often designed with the intent of giving more depth and an appearance of plausibility to the fictional worlds with which they are associated, and...
from Robert Jordan
Robert Jordan
Robert Jordan was the pen name of James Oliver Rigney, Jr. , under which he was best known as the author of the bestselling The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He also wrote under the pseudonyms Reagan O'Neal and Jackson O'Reilly.-Biography:Jordan was born in Charleston, South Carolina...
's The Wheel of Time
The Wheel of Time
The Wheel of Time is a series of epic fantasy novels written by American author James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under the pen name Robert Jordan. Originally planned as a six-book series, the length was increased by increments; at the time of Rigney's death, he expected it to be 12, but it will actually...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
series. It is depicted as a now-dead language, spoken only by scholars and certain nobles, but still plays a role in the plot of the books.
History
The Old Tongue was spoken during and shortly after the Age of Legends. Due to the ensuing turmoil of the Breaking of the World, the Trolloc Wars, and the War of the Hundred Years, the records of this time period are generally fragmentary at best; however, it seems that a sufficient knowledge of the language itself has survived for those who wish to learn it to do so. Many nobles, for example, are expected to learn at least a few phrases of the Old Tongue, though few do so; a fair number of Aes SedaiAes Sedai
The Aes Sedai are a special society in the fictional universe of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time book series. Aes Sedai means "Servant to All" in the Old Tongue. They are the wielders of the One Power...
seem to have some knowledge of it as well, probably taught in the Tower, to say nothing of the scholars to whom such things are of great interest.
But though it has long since passed out of use, its importance should not be underestimated. It is the language of such great figures as Artur Hawkwing, Lews Therin Telamon
Lews Therin Telamon
Lews Therin Telamon is a fictional character in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time fantasy series. He was the Dragon of the Age of Legends. He is the most powerful, most hated, and most feared man in history, for his part in the Breaking of the World and killing his loved ones, earning him the...
and the Hundred Companions, as well as that of the Forsaken
Forsaken (Wheel of Time)
In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time fantasy series, the Forsaken are the most powerful and favored servants of the Dark One. They were formerly Aes Sedai, but became corrupted by the desire for power and immortality...
. It was spoken by a society that was, by all remaining accounts, quite advanced in most respects, and it was the language of those who struggled to mend their shattered societies in the aftermath of the Breaking. It did nothing less than survive a minor armageddon, and usher in the dawn of a new world.
At present, the Old Tongue can still be seen through names of places (e.g. Manetheren or Aridhol, or even Alcair Dal), things (e.g. names of Aiel
Aiel
In Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time, the Aiel are a race of people. They live between the "wetlanders" in the west and the Sharans in the east, in a desert which the Aiel call The Three-fold Land and which everyone else calls the Aiel Waste. They have earned a reputation as skilled...
warrior societies), inscriptions (e.g. "Tia mi aven Moridin isainde vadin
Horn of Valere
The Horn of Valere is a fictional object in Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time. It is a horn that is able to call the heroes that are linked to it back from the grave. Sounding the Horn bonds the horn to its sounder. Until that person's death, only he can use the Horn of Valere to...
"), and in certain phrases used in conversation, especially by Matrim Cauthon, who inherited fluency in the language from the memories he received from the Eelfinn, but before knew the language piecemeal.
Phrases and translations
Below is a list of some of the Old Tongue words and phrases used in the Wheel of TimeThe Wheel of Time
The Wheel of Time is a series of epic fantasy novels written by American author James Oliver Rigney, Jr., under the pen name Robert Jordan. Originally planned as a six-book series, the length was increased by increments; at the time of Rigney's death, he expected it to be 12, but it will actually...
books.
- "Dovie'andi se tovya sagain." (It's time to toss the dice.) Said by Mat Cauthon from time to time, generally before battles. He started using it after he was released from the dagger.
- "Carai an Caldazar! Carai an Ellisande! Al Ellisande!" (For the honor of the Red Eagle! For the Honor of the Rose of the Sun! The Rose of the Sun!) - shouted by Mat in the first fight against Trollocs, just after they left the Caemlyn Road; the ancient battle cry of Manetheren.
- "Mia ayende, Aes Sedai! Caballein misain ye! Inde muagdhe Aes Sedai misain ye! Mia ayende!" (Release me, Aes Sedai! I am a free man! I am no Aes Sedai meat! Release me!) - shouted by Mat during his Healing of his contact with the dagger of Shadar Logoth.
- "Muad'drin tia dar allende caba'drin rhiadem! Los Valdar Cuebiyari! Los! Carai an Caldazar! Al Caldazar!" (Footmen prepare to pass cavalry forward! Forward the Heart Guard! Forward! For the Honor of the Red Eagle! The Red Eagle!)- appeared in Mat's dreams after he was freed of the dagger, a phrase used in a battle of Manetheren against the Trollocs.
- "Sene sovya caba'donde ain dovienya." (Luck is a horse to ride like any other.)
- "Tia mi aven Moridin isainde vadin." (The grave is no bar to my call.) - inscription on the Horn of Valere. (This sentence is from Book One, The Eye of the World)
- "Tia avende alantin" (Brother to the Trees, or Treebrother; typically shortened to alantin, Brother.) This is the ancient name for OgierOgier (Wheel of Time)The Ogier are a race of non-human creatures who have an intense love of knowledge. They are also great architects and stonemasons, responsible for many of the most impressive structures and cities of the world. Ogier stonework is known for its organic nature, often appearing to have been grown...
used in the Age of Legends, and as such, Selene (aka Mierin Eronaile, from the Age of Legends) calls Loial alantin in the second book, The Great Hunt.
- Lanfear, Moghedien, Moridin, Cyndane, Ishamael, Sammael (Daughter of the Night, the Spider, Death, Last Chance, Betrayer of Hope, Destroyer of Hope, respectively) The names of the ForsakenForsaken (Wheel of Time)In the fictional world of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time fantasy series, the Forsaken are the most powerful and favored servants of the Dark One. They were formerly Aes Sedai, but became corrupted by the desire for power and immortality...
.
- "Sa souvraya niende misain ye." (I am lost in my own mind.)
- Shaidar Haran (Hand of the Shadow) see Shaidar HaranShaidar HaranShaidar Haran is a fictional character in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan.In the Old Tongue Shaidar Haran means "Hand of the Dark". He looks like a Myrddraal but is much taller and seems to have a sense of humor. Whereas most Myrddraal wear all black robes, Shaidar Haran has been known...
.
- Tai'shar ... (True Blood of ...) - Followed by the name of a nation or people, this term is used as a compliment, to tell the addressee that (s)he exemplifies the positive traits associated with his people. Examples include Tai'shar Malkier, Tai'shar Manetheren, Tai'shar Andor and Tai'shar Kandor. The term is used almost exclusively by Lan and other Borderlanders.
- Daishar (Glory) - Used as a name by Egwene al'VereEgwene al'VereEgwene al'Vere is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Description:She is described as beautiful, with large brown eyes and long dark hair. Like all adult women in her home village of Emond's Field, she initially wore her hair in a long braid, but as soon...
for her horse.
- Jeade'en (True Finder) - Used as a name by Rand al'ThorRand al'ThorRand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
for his horse.
- Tai'daishar (True Glory) - Used as a name by Rand al'ThorRand al'ThorRand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
for his horse.
- Mandarb (Blade) - Used by Lan MandragoranLan MandragoranAl'Lan Mandragoran is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.Lan is very similar in characterization to Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien...
for his horse.
- Aldieb (West Wind) - Used by Moiraine DamodredMoiraine DamodredMoiraine Damodred is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan. She is an Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah and is the niece of King Laman Damodred of Cairhien.-Description:...
for her horse.
- Atha'an Miere (Those Bound to the Sea) - Old Tongue word for the Sea Folk.
- Aiel (Dedicated)
- Siswai (Spear) - Used by AviendhaAviendhaAviendha of the Nine Valleys sept of the Taardad Aiel is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Description:...
for her horse.
- Mageen (Daisy) - Used by AviendhaAviendhaAviendha of the Nine Valleys sept of the Taardad Aiel is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Description:...
for her horse.
- Aan'allein (One Man OR Man Who Is an Entire People) - Name used by the Aiel for Lan MandragoranLan MandragoranAl'Lan Mandragoran is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.Lan is very similar in characterization to Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien...
, the last of the Malkieri.
- Serenla (Stubborn Daughter) - Name given by Siuan SancheSiuan SancheSiuan Sanche is a character of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.The sharp-tongued daughter of a fisherman from Tear, Siuan Sanche joined the White Tower at the same time as Moiraine Damodred...
for Min FarshawMin FarshawElmindreda "Min" Farshaw is one of the main characters of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.- Description :She is slender, a little taller than Moiraine , and has short dark hair that becomes curly when grown long. She has large, dark eyes...
to use while traveling incognito.
- Chalinda (Sweet Girl) - Name suggested by Siuan SancheSiuan SancheSiuan Sanche is a character of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.The sharp-tongued daughter of a fisherman from Tear, Siuan Sanche joined the White Tower at the same time as Moiraine Damodred...
for Min FarshawMin FarshawElmindreda "Min" Farshaw is one of the main characters of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.- Description :She is slender, a little taller than Moiraine , and has short dark hair that becomes curly when grown long. She has large, dark eyes...
to use while traveling incognito.
- Ordeith (Wormwood) - Name used by Padan FainPadan FainPadan Fain is one of the primary antagonists of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Peddler and Darkfriend:Padan Fain was a peddler, who became a Darkfriend in his twenties, for the promise of immortality...
while with the Children of the Light.
- Atha'an Shadar (Those Bound to the Shadow) - Seanchan term for Darkfriends.
- Car'a'carn (Chief of Chiefs) - Aiel name for the man who fulfills their prophecies and unites their clans, Rand al'ThorRand al'ThorRand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
.
- Faile (Falcon) - Zarine Bashere's adopted name as a Hunter for the Horn.
- M'Hael (Leader) - Title adopted by Mazrim TaimMazrim TaimMazrim Taim is a character in Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time fantasy series.-Description:Taim is described as having black hair, above average in height with a dark face, tilted eyes, hooked nose and high cheekbones...
as leader of the Asha'man
- Tsorovan'm'hael (Storm Leader) - Title adopted by Charl Gedwyn as a high-ranking officer among the Asha'man.
- Baijan'm'hael (Attack Leader) - Title adopted by Manel Rochaid as a high-ranking officer among the Asha'man.
- Mashiara (My Lost Love) - Term of endearment used by Lan MandragoranLan MandragoranAl'Lan Mandragoran is one of the main characters of the Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.Lan is very similar in characterization to Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien...
to refer to Nynaeve al'MearaNynaeve al'MearaNynaeve al'Meara is one of the main characters of The Wheel of Time fantasy series by Robert Jordan.-Personality:Nynaeve's personality often runs a gamut of emotions, meek at times before more experienced women but also able to stand up and run down others. While she will deny it, Nynaeve is...
.
- Shaiel (She who is Dedicated) - Rand al'ThorRand al'ThorRand al'Thor, also known as the Dragon Reborn, is the fictional main character and protagonist of The Wheel of Time, a series of fantasy novels by Robert Jordan.Rand al'Thor has many other titles within the series:...
's mother, formerly named Tigraine Mantear.