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Translation Dictionary

Author: 
Various
Librarian Comment: 

The new dictionary is laid out more like an actual dictionary. The format is pretty simple:

word - (part of speech1) definition. Example sentence. [Language of origin2]
Source: where the word and definition can be found.
Comment: a comment to clarify the origin or definition, or to provide general information. 

1 Phrases don't have parts of speech, and neither do Ehlnofex words (see linguistic notes below). 

Some words appear in multiple languages. In such cases, the earliest identifiable source has been listed.


 

This dictionary encompasses over 200 words from a dozen languages. To help you in your studies, I've written a short summary of the main eight languages in the dictionary.

Ehlnofex - the language of the Ehlnofey. It is written in ALL CAPS and relies more on poetic association than literal meaning.

Aldmeri - the language of the Aldmer, the first elves. Most other languages, like Dunmeri and Nedic, stem from here. Very similar to Ehlnofex, but more stable in meaning.

Ayleid - the language of the Highland High Elves. Surprisingly different from Aldmeri, it is stylistically reminiscent of Professor Tolkien’s Quenya.

Draconic - Dragon tongue, also used for the Nordic Thu'um. Verbs have no tense and many thematically related words sound alike. Game Informer has a good summary.

Dunmeri - the language of the Dunmer, many words are similar to Aldmeri.

Jel - the language of the Argonians and Hist. It is said to be “the closest speech to thought,” and presumably relies on multiple meanings and associations.

Kothri - the language of the Kothringi, a Nedic tribe living in southern Cyrodiil. The sample we have supposedly comes from the first half of the 1st era (c.1E240-1E1200). The language shows strong Aldmeri influence.

Ta’agra - the language of the Khajiit.

Yoku - the language of Yokuda and the Redguards.