The dwarves spoke several languages but in present day only Orzammarian is commonly spoken[1]. Some of the words have roots which predate the time when dwarves made contact with elves or humans.[2]
Dwarves also invented the "common tongue" in order to trade with each other.[1] In present day 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.[2]
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.[3]
Words and phrases[]
A[]
Ancient dwarven
- Aedros Atuna: An underground river which never sees the sun. Its clay is used by dwarven artisans for crafting.[4]
- Air-touched: An insulting term for Surface dwarves.[5]
- Amgarrak: "Victory"[2][6]
- Amgeforn (ahm-geh-forn): "Sacrifice"[2][7]
- Amgetoll: "Duty"[2]
- Ascendant: A surface dwarf who leaves Orzammar traditions and embraces life on the surface.[8]
- 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".[9]
- Atrast tunsha (a-TRAST TON-shah): A formal farewell.[10][11]
- Atrast tunsha. Totarnia amgetol tavash aeduc.: Words of a formal dwarven rite for the dead.[10]
- Atrast vala (a-TRAST VA-la): A formal greeting. Literally, "speak" or "find your tongue".[12]
- Atredum na satolva.: Meaning unknown.[13]
- Atuva gelt sa tot: The Stone is colder than death.[14]
B[]
- Best of the vein: A farewell.[15]
- Blow off the dust to find the vein of silver: Literally, looking for the positive in a negative situation.[16]
- Brand: A pejorative term used for a casteless dwarf, referencing the face tattoo they are branded with, distinguishing them from the rest of their kin.
C[]
D[]
- Deep crawler: "Spider"[17]
- Deep lord: A pejorative term for dwarven nobles.[18]
- Deshyr: A position akin to a "congressman".[19], or "Assembly lord"[20]
- Duster: A pejorative term used for a casteless dwarf, referencing their home of Dust Town.[2][21]
- Dust to dunkels: A phrase evidencing great certainty.[22]
- Dwarva: The word dwarves use to refer to themselves. The human word most likely derives from it.[23]
F[]
- Full of sod: Being foolish.[24]
G[]
H[]
- Halde Vaskar: the place that waits.[28]
I[]
- Imegtras Sha-Brytol vatunol-sak atredum, parthas vel: Meaning unknown[29]
- Isana: A term for lyrium. Also called "singing stone".[2]
- Isatunoll: An affirmation of existence.[30][31][32][33]
K[]
- Kal Repartha: "A place where we may meet in peace". The inscription of Paragon Fairel's tomb in the Hissing Wastes.[34]
- Kallak: "War"[2][35]
- Kalna (KAL-nah): A surface dwarf who insists on maintaining caste and rank.[8]
- Kalnath: Family.[26]
- Kalnath-par kallak, Kalnath-gat parthas: Family through war, Family unto peace.[26]
L[]
- Lost to the Stone- An insult referring to Surface dwarves.[5]
M[]
- Mathas gar na fornen pa salroka atrast.: Meaning unknown.[36] According to Leliana it roughly means "At my side find your way in the dark".[37]
- Mathas gar na fornen pa tot isatunoll.: Meaning unknown. According to Leliana it roughly means "I regret the sacrifice of my kin, but it means we will find our way home".[37]
- Mud splasher: A nickname for nugs.[38]
- Mud-worm: A general insult.[39]
N[]
- Nug-snuggler: A general insult.[40]
O[]
- On loose sand: Literally, in a dangerous situation.[41]
P[]
R[]
S[]
- Salroka (sal-ROW-cah): "Friend", literally means "one at my side". Most commonly used by the casteless.[2]
- Sha-Brytol: "Revered Defenders"[42]
- Stalata Negat: Meaning unknown. Part of the title of a book of dwarven history, "Stalata Negat: The Stone Unheld: A Commentary on the Roll of Years".[43]
- Stone-blind: A derogatory term for surface dwarves.[44]
- Stone-met: A greeting.[15]
- Sun-touched: A pejorative term for surface dwarves.[45]
T[]
- Tezpadam: "Deepstalker"[46]
- Thaig (TAIG): A dwarven colony. Generally founded by, and named after, a particular house.
- Time is rusting: "Time is wasting"[47]
- Toldar isatunoll vedun gar valos atredum: Meaning unknown.[48]
- Topside: The surface.[2]
U[]
V[]
- Valos Atredum (VAH-lows a-TRAY-doom): May translate as "the favor of the Ancestors", "the voice of the Ancestors", or "the Ancestors' blessing".[50]
- Veata (VEE-et-ah): "Stop" or "halt"[51]
W[]
- What's shaping? : A friendly interrogative, akin to "what's going on?"[52][53]
- Wim and Wam: "Whine and plead"[2]
Notes[]
- There are also traces of the dwarven language in human places. "Gwaren" comes from the combination of two dwarven words, gwah (salt) and ren (pool).
- The Circle of Magi in Kinloch Hold possesses books which are able to translate old dwarven dialects.[54]
- In Cadash Thaig there are inscriptions of an older dwarven dialect.[54]
- Atrast vala, veata sha-brytol partot ma kalna-vam na vrug.: A dwarven translation of directions and sights in Treviso. Part of a memento description not used in game.[55]
Gallery[]
![Ancient runes. According to Shaper Valta:"This word keeps appearing: "Sha-Brytol". I believe it means "revered defenders. [...] Isatunoll... Isatunoll... Cut our tongues... entomb our bodies... watch over the Titan until it stirs."](/wiki/File:Ancient_runes_caves01.png "Ancient runes caves01.png (2.36 MB)")
Ancient runes. According to Shaper Valta:"This word keeps appearing: "Sha-Brytol". I believe it means "revered defenders. [...] Isatunoll... Isatunoll... Cut our tongues... entomb our bodies... watch over the Titan until it stirs."
Ancient runes. According to Shaper Valta: "These seem to be about... the Titan. It shapes the stone. It is the stone. It sculpts the world within and without."
Ancient runes. According to Shaper Valta: "Only the pure may pass. All others will be punished."
Ancient runes. According to Shaper Valta: "That phrase is "the path of purity." And there's a reference to... "Titan's blood"? It says the Sha-Brytol come here to...drink it."
References[]
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