Dwarven languages and phrases

There existed several dwarven languages but they are no longer spoken, and only a few phrases remain in common usage. Some of the words have roots which predate the time when dwarves made contact with elves or humans.

Dwarves also invented the "common tongue" in order to trade with each other. In present days, it is exceptionally rare for someone to not be fluent in the common tongue. However the dwarves of Kal-Sharok have a regional dialect which draws more on an older manner of speech because of their significantly less contact and interaction with the surface.

Dwarven runes are used on signs by the dwarves as well as by the humans on the surface. In the latter case, they are used instead of the native language, as it is common for peasants to not be able to read.

Words and phrases

 * Aedros Atuna: An underground river which never sees the sun. Its clay is used by dwarven artisans for crafting.
 * Amgarrak: "Victory"
 * Amgeforn (ahm-geh-forn): "Sacrifice"
 * Amgetoll: "Duty"
 * Atrast nal tunsha (a-TRAST NAWL TON-shah): A formal farewell. Possibly an archaic form of atrast tunsha, since it is only spoken by Caridin. May translate as "may you always find your way in the dark".
 * Atrast tunsha (a-TRAST TON-shah): A formal farewell.
 * Atrast tunsha. Totarnia amgetol tavash aeduc.: Words of a formal dwarven rite for the dead.
 * Atrast vala (a-TRAST VA-la): A formal greeting. Literally, "speak" or "find your tongue".
 * Blow off the dust to find the vein of silver: Literally, looking for the positive in a negative situation.
 * Cloudgazer: Surface dwarves who have lost their Stone sense.
 * Deep crawler: "Spider"
 * Deep lord: A pejorative term for a deshyr.
 * Deshyr: Title given to nobles who are members of the Assembly.
 * Duster: A pejorative term for a casteless dwarf, referencing their home of Dust Town.
 * Dust to dunkels: A phrase evidencing great certainty.
 * Dwarva: The word dwarves use to refer to themselves. The human word most likely derives from it.
 * Full of sod: Being foolish.
 * Gwah: "Salt"
 * Isana: A term for lyrium. Also called "singing stone".
 * Kallak: "War"
 * Kalna (KAL-nah): "House" or "lineage"
 * Mathas gar na fornen pa salroka atrast.: Meaning unknown.
 * Mud Splashers: A nickname for nugs.
 * On loose sand: Literally, in a dangerous situation.
 * Partha: "Peace"
 * Ren: "Pool"
 * Rock Licker: A nickname for brontos.
 * Salroka (sal-ROW-cah): "Friend". Most commonly used by the casteless. Literally means "one at my side".
 * Stalata Negat: Part of the title of a book of dwarven history, "Stalata Negat: The Stone Unheld: A Commentary on the Roll of Years."
 * Sun-touched: A pejorative term for surface dwarves.
 * Tezpadam: "Deepstalker"
 * Thaig (TAIG): A dwarven colony. Generally founded by, and named after, a particular house.
 * Time is rusting: Literally, time is wasting.
 * Topside: The surface
 * Valos atredum (VAH-lows a-TRAY-doom): May translate as "the favor of the ancestors", "the voice of the ancestors", or "the ancestors' blessing".
 * Veata (VEE-et-ah): "Stop" or "halt"
 * What's shaping? : A friendly interrogative, akin to "what's going on?"
 * Wim and Wam: "Whine and plead"

There are also traces of the dwarven language in some place names. "Gwaren" comes from the combination of two dwarven words, gwah (salt) and ren (pool).