Information - The Old Tongue

The Old Tongue

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Notes
Phrases

a = preposition or article
a'dam = the leash                                       see "dam"
a'vron = watcher                                        see "vron"
aan = one
aan'allein = one man                                   see "aan" and "allein"
aethan ?= shields                                        see phrase "aethan dor"
aiel = dedicated
ailen = ???                                                 see "ta'maral'ailen"
ain ?= is                                                     see note 1
al = 'the' or 'of the'
al'cair'rahienallen = the golden dawn hill       see "cair", "rahien" and "allen"/
alcair = the golden                                      see "cair"
algai'd'siswai ?= the fighters of spear           see "gai" and "siswai"
alantin = brother
aldazar = the eagle                                      see "dazar"
aldieb = westwind
algode = cotton
allein = man
allen ?= hill
allende = ???                                              see phrase "Muad'drin..."
aman ?= dragon
an = -pluralization-                                      see note 2
angreal = tool of the power
aridhol = ??? a city of the second covenant
asa = you
asmodean = ???                                          contraction of real name?
aso = it
atha ?= person
atha'an ?= peoples                                       see "atha" and "an"
aven ?= call
avende = tree
avendesora = the Tree of Life
avendoraldera = Cutting/Sapling of Tree of Life
ayende = release/freedom
baha = ???                                                   see "nar'baha"
balthamel = ???                                           a Forsaken
bajad = ???                                                see phrase "bajad drovja"
be'lal = ???                                                  a Forsaken
bekkar? = blood
ca = ???                                                      see "ca'lyet"
ca'lyet = do come                                        conjugation of "to come"
cab ?= free                                                  see note 3
caba = horse
caba'donde = a horse to ride                      see "caba", "donde"
caba'drin = cavalry/horsemen
caballein = free man                                    see "cab" and "allein" and note 3
cadin? = clothes                                           see "cadin'sor"
cadin'sor = working clothes
cair = gold
cal = red
caldazar = red eagle                                     see "cal" and "dazar"
calhar = red hand                                        see "cal" and "har"
calichniye = welcome
car = chief
car'a'carn = Chief of Chiefs
carai = for the honor /or/ honor
carn = chiefs
chalinda = sweet girl
choss = ???
con = banner
concion = summons
conje = a type of needle
cour = trap                                                    see "cour'souvra"
cour'souvra = mindtrap
cor = night
corenne = return
cova = owner                                                see "mia'cova"
covale ?= owned one                                    see "da'covale"
cuanda = ???
cue = heart
cueran = ???
cuebiyar = heart
cuebiyari = hearts                                           see "cue" and phrase "valdar cuebiyari"
cuendillar = heartstone
d = of
da ?= -superlative-                                          see phrase "da'es daemar" and "da'shain"
da'covale = person who is owned
da'es ?= great                                                  see phrase "da'es daemar"
da'shain ?= true peace                                     see note 4 and phrase "da'shain aiel"
da'tsang = despised one
dadaranell = ???                                              see phrase "mafal dadaranell"
daemar = game                                               see phrase "da'es daemar"
daghain = fear                                                 see phrase "Mordero..."
dai = battle                                                      see note 4
daishar = glory                                                 perhaps literally "battle blood"
dal = bowl
dam = leash
damane = leashed one                                     see "dam" and "aan"
dar = ???                                                        see phrase "Muad'drin..."
dar = sister
darei = spears
dareis = spear
dazar = eagle
demandred =???                                             a forsaken
deveniye = majesty
din = brother
diynen = sounder                                            see "diynen'd'ma'purvene"
diynen'd'ma'purvene = Sounder of the Horn    see phrase "Nosane..."
do ?= over                                                     a preposition
doon = ???                                                    see phrase "seia doon"
domashita ?= warms                                      see phrase "Ninte..."
domorakoshi = language                                 see phrase "Nosane..."
don = ???                                                      see "gai'don"
donde ? = to ride                                           see "caba'donde"
dor ?= red                                                     see phrase "aethan dor"
dornat = some sort of hunting creature
dore ?= dancer                                              see "n'dore"
dovie = -rel. to luck-                                      see "dovie'andi" and "dovienya"
dovie'andi ?= dice                                          see phrase "Dovie'andi..."
dovienya = luck
drelle = river of
drin = soldiers
drovja = ???                                                  see phrase "bajad drovja"
duadhe ?= water
duente = holds /see phrase "Mordero..."/
dyo = by
e = and
en = -pluralization-                                         see "jeade'en", "shae'en" and note 2
es? = good /see phrase "da'es daemar"
ellisande = rose of the sun
faile = falcon
far = of
ga ?= is                                                          see phrase "Kodome..."
gai = battle                                                     see note 4
gai'don = ???                                                 see phrase "tarmon gai'don"
gai'shain = pledged to peace in battle              see note 4
gaidin = battle brother (warder)                      see "gai" and "din"
govane = what                                               see phrase "Nosane..."
graendal = ???                                               a forsaken
hael = ???                                                      see "m'hael"
hailene = forerunners
hame = mountain                                            see phrase "Hama N'dore"
har = hand
haran ?= hand of                                            see phrase "Shaidar Haran"
hei = always
in ?= -pluralization-                                        see note 2
inde = no (not)                                               general negation
iro = we                                                        see phrase "Nosane..."
isain = is                                                        see note 1
isainde = isn't (contraction)                            see "isain" and "inde"
isha ?= betrayer (possibly no 'a')
ishamael = betrayer of hope                           a Forsaken, see "isha" and "mael"
jeade = contraction of "jenn" and something? see "jeade'en"
jeade'en = true finder
jegal = scaled animal
jenn = truly (true)
jhin = ???                                                       see "so'jhin"
ji = honor
kardon = green skinned fruit from a leafless spiny plant
kiserai = glory
kjasic = expletive
kodome ?= here                                            see phrase "Kodome..."
lanfear = daughter of the night                        a forsaken
logoth ?= waiting                                           see phrase "shadar logoth"
los = forward
lyet = ???                                                      see "ca'lyet"
m = ??? prefix?                                            see "m'hael" and "m'taal"
m'hael = leader
m'taal ?= dogs                                              see phrase "shae'en m'taal"
ma = the                                                       see "diynen'd'ma'purvene"
ma'vron ?= watchers over the sea                 contraction, see "miere" and "vron"
machin = ???                                                see phrase "machin shin"
mad = ???                                                    see "sha'mad"
mael = hope
mafal = ???                                                  see phrase "mafal dadaranell"
mahdi = seeker
mahdi'in = seeker(s) (suffix is pluralization?)
mai = maiden(s)
man = (related to sword or blade)                see "mandarb", "manshima"
mandarb = blade
manetheren = mountain home
manetherendrelle = waters of mountain home see "manetheren" and "drelle"
manshima ?= sword                                     see "man", phrase "Suravye..."
maral = ???                                                 see "ta'maral'ailen"
marath ?= those who must                           see "marath'damane"
marath'damane = those who must be leashed see "damane"
mashadar = the creature in Shadar Logoth    see "shadar"
mashiara = "beloved of heart" or "a love lost"
mera ?= nothing
mera'din = brotherless
mesaana = ???                                             a forsaken
mi = my
mia = my
mia'cova = my owner
miere = ocean, waves
misain = am                                                  see note 1
moghedien ?= spider                                     a forsaken
mordero = death                                           see phrase "Mordero..."
Moridin = the grave (as in death)
moridin = grave, tomb
muad = foot
muad'drin = ???                                           see "muad" and "drin"
muaghde ?= meat
n'dore ?= dancers                                        see phrase "hama n'dore"
nar = ???                                                     see "nar'baha"
nar'baha = fool box
nei ?= knife                                                  see phrase "sovin nei"
ni = ???                                                       see phrase "Kodome..."
niende ?= lost                                              see phrase "Sa souvraya..."
ninte = your
ninto = your
no = me (first person singular pre-verb direct object pronoun)
nosane = speak                                           see phrase "Nosane..."
oosquai ?= whiskey (or some other alchoholic beverage)
ordeith = wormwood
pas = none                                                  see phrase "Mordero..."
purvene = horn                                            see "diynen'd'ma'purvene"
rahien = dawn
rahvin = ???                                                a forsaken
rhadiem = ???                                             see phrase "Muad'drin..."
rhyagelle = those who come home
sa = -superlative prefix-
sa ?= in                                                       see phrase "Sa souvraya..."
sa'angreal = very strong Power channel       see "sa" and "angreal"
sa'sara = "superlative" dance                       see "sa" and "sara"
sag ?= time                                                 see "sagain"
sagain = it's time                                          see "sag", "ain" and phrase "Dovie'andi..."
sai = (related to power)
saidar = female half of power                      see "sai" and "dar"
saidin = male half of power                         see "sai" and "din"
sam = destroyer
sammael = destroyer of hope                      a forsaken, see "sam" and "mael"
sar = she
sara = dance                                              see "sa'sara"
se = themselves (reflexive pre-verb pronoun)
segade = cactus
seia = ???                                                  see phrase "seia doon"
semirhage = ???                                         a forsaken
sene ?= as, like                                          see phrase "Sene..."
serenla = stubborn daughter
sha = ???                                                   see "sha'mad"
shaidar = dark                                           see phrase "Shaidar Haran"
sha'mad = ???                                           see phrase "sha'mad conde"
shadar = shadow                                       see phrase "shadar logoth", "mashadar"
shae ?= dog                                              see "shae'en"
shae'en ?= dogs                                        see phrase "shae'en m'taal"
shaiel = she who is dedicated                    see aiel
shain ?= peace                                          see note 4
shambayan = chamberlain
shan ?= lord
shar ?= blood                                            see "tai'shar" and "daishar"
shari ?= bloods                                         plural of "shar"
shatayan = chatelaine
shen = band
shoufa = dustveil
sin = he
siswai = spear
siswai'aman = spear of the dragon
so = ???                                                     see "so'jhin"
sofar = ???
so'jhin =(hereditary upper servants of the blood)
sor ?= working                                          see "cadin'sor"
sorda = rat
sorei = runner(s)
sovin ?= hands                                          see phrase "sovin nei"
souvra = mind                                           see "cour'souvra"
souvraya = my own mind                          see phrase "Sa souvraya..."
sovya ?= another                                      see phrase "Sene..."
staera = copper scraping stick
sul ?= holder                                             see "sul'dam"
sul'dam = leash holder                               see "dam"
suravye = ???                                           see phrase "Suravye..."
sursa = chopsticks
t'mat ?= tomato
ta = (rel. to pattern)
ta'maral'ailen = web of destiny (around ta'veren) see "ta"
ta'veren = focal point of pattern                 see "ta"
taal = ???                                                 see "m'taal"
tai ?= true                                                 see "tai'shar"
tai'shar = true blood
tain = (plural of "tai")
taishite = ???                                            see phrase "Suravye..."
tarmon ?= last                                          see phrase "tarmon gai'don"
tcheran = a strategy game
tel'aran'rhiod = world of dreams, unseen world
ter = ???                                                   see "ter'angreal"
ter'angreal = object that directs or uses one power   see "angreal"
ti = to
tia = to
toh = obligation, duty
tovya = roll (probably third person plural reflexive form)
tsag = expletive
tsang ?= hated one                                    see "da'tsang"
tuatha = traveling person (contraction involving "atha")
tuatha'an = Traveling People                      see "tuatha" and "atha'an"
vadin = bar, barrier
val ?= guard                                              see "valdar" and "valon"
valdar = -rel. to "guard"                             see "val" and phrase "valdar cuebiyari"
valdon ?= that guards                                see "val" and phrase "tar valon"
vron = watcher(s)
wansho = builder(s)
ya = my own (suffix)                                 see "souvraya"
ye = I
zemai = maize or corn

Note 1: "Misain", "isain" and "ain" all appear to be forms of the verb "to be".

Note 2: According to Jordan, the -n or -i suffix can both mean pluralization.

Note 3: "Caballein", it has been suggested, might be a contraction of "caba" and "allein" meaning
"horseman". The use of it as "free man" would then be a cultural thing. This would avoid the creation
of the new word "cab" meaning "free".

Note 4: "Dai" and "gai" seem to both mean battle. Also, "Da'shain" and "Gai'shain" are very much
alike. "Shain" seems to mean something along the lines of "sworn to peace". There is also "Dai Shan"
which sounds somewhat alike but means "Battle Lord". Draw your own conclusions.

Phrases:

aes sedai = servant to/of all

My guess is that this phrase should probably be translated "to all servant". Thus "aes" would
probably be a contraction of "a" and the word meaning "all". "Sedai" would then mean servant.

aethan dor = red shields

An aiel warrior society. Possibly the "-n" ending indicates that "aethan" means shields, and thus
"dor" would be another word for "red" in addition to "cal".

al caldazar = the red eagle

The sign of Manetheren. "Cal" means "red", and "dazar" means "eagle".

al ellisande = the rose of the sun

The sign for Aemon's wife, Eldrene. "Ellisande" can probably be divided into two words, but I
have no idea how.

alcair dal = the golden bowl

An aiel meeting place. "Cair" means "gold" and "dal" means bowl.

atha'an miere = the sea folk

Probably literally "people sea" as "miere" means "sea", "atha'an" is the pluralization of "atha"
meaning "person"

bajad drovja = ???

An expletive of some sort.

Caballein misain ye = I am a free man

Probably literally "Free man am I". "Cab". means "free", "allein" means "man", "misain" means
"am", and "ye" means "I". See also note 3 above.

Carai an caldazar = For the honor of the red eagle

"Carai" means "honor", "an" is a preposition in this case, probably "of", "cal" means "red" and
"dazar" means "eagle".

Carai an ellisande = for the honor of the rose of the sun

"Carai" means "honor", "an" is a preposition meaning "of" and "ellisande" means "the rose of
the sun".

cor darei = night spears

An Aiel warrior society. "Cor" means "night" and "darei" means "spears".

da'es daemar = the great game /or/ the game of the houses.

I have no idea what any of the two to three words in this phrase mean.

da'shain aiel = true peace dedicated

"Da'shain" might mean "true peace" or something greater than piece if "da" is a superlative to
"shain"'s "peace." "Aiel" means dedicated. Also see note 1 above for interpretation of da'shain.

dai shan = battle lord

"Dai" means "battle", "shan" means lord. See also note 1 above.

Deveniye, dyo ninte concion ca'lyet ye = Majesty, by your summons do I come

"Deveniye" means "majesty", "dyo" mean "by", "ninte" means "your", "concion" means
"summons", "ca'lyet" means "do come" and "ye" means "I".

do miere a'vron = the watchers over the sea

Probably literally "over ocean, watchers". "Do" means "over", "miere" means "ocean" and
"vron" means "watchers".

Dovie'andi se tovya sagain = It's time to roll the dice

     "Dovie" seems to be related to "dovienya". which means "luck". Following the normal sentence
     order, this probably means "Dice themselves roll time it is." Thus, "Dovie'andi" means "dice",
     "se" is a relexive pronoun "themselves", "tovya" is a conjugation of "to roll", "sag""ain" means
     "is". The only two that cross-reference, however, are "ain" and "Dovie'andi".

duadhe mahdi'in = water seekers

An Aiel warrior society. "Duadhe" means "water" and "mahdi'in" is the pluralistaion of "mahdi"
which means "seeker".

far aldazar din = brothers of the eagle

Probably literally "for the eagle, brother". An Aiel warrior society. "Far" means "for", "dazar"
means "eagle" and "din" means "brother".

far dareis mai = maidens of the spear

Probably literally "for spear, maiden". The Aiel female warrior society. "Far" means "for",
"darei" means "spear", and "mai" means "maiden".

hama n'dore = mountain dancers

An Aiel warrior society. I am guessing that the "n" on the second word indicates some form of
pluralization. Thus, "n'dore" means "dancers" and "hama" means "mountain".

Inde muaghde Aes Sedai misain ye = I am no Aes Sedai meat.

Probably literally "not meat Aes Sedai am I" with the Aes Sedai modifying the preceding noun.
"Inde" means negation, "muaghde" means "meat", "misain" means "am" and "ye" means "I".

jenn aiel = the "true" aiel

Probably literally "truly dedicated". The name for the "tribe" of Aiel who built Rhuidean. "Jenn"
means "true" or "truly", and "aiel" means "dedicated".

Kiserai ti wansho = glory to the builders

"Kiserai" means "glory", "ti" means "to" and "wansho" means "builders".

Kodome calichniye ga ni Aes Sedai hei = Here is always a welcome for Aes Sedai

     Probably literally "Here welcome is for Aes Sedai always". "Kodome" probably means "here",
     "calichniye". means "welcome", "ga" probably means "is", "ni" probably means "for" and "hei"
     means "always". This is a phrase from The Eye of the World, so neither the word order, nor
     the words seem to be standard, ie "ga" is not related to the "ain". family of "to be" verbs.

Los caba'drin = horsemen/cavalry forward

"Los" means "forward", "caba" means "horse" and "drin" means "soldier"

Los valdar cuebiyari = Heart-guard foward

"Los" means "forward" and "valdar cuebiyari" means "the heart guard".

machin shin = the black wind

The wind in the ways. No idea on word order.

mafal dadaranell = old name for Fal Dara

No idea on any word.

Mia ayende, Aes Sedai = release me, Aes Sedai

Probably literally "my release/freedom, Aes Sedai". "Mia" means "my" and "ayende" means
"release/freedom".

Mia dovienya nesodhin soende = ???

Probably literally "My luck ??? ???". If the normal word order holds, "nesodhin" is the verb
and "soende" is the subject. Mat says that this sounded like a "fervent wish".

Mordero daghain pas duente cuebiyar = Death fear none holds my heart

Translation is word for word.

Muad'drin tia dar allende caba'drin rhadiem = Footmen prepare to pass cavalry.

Probably literally "Foot soldiers to ??? ??? horse soldiers ???" "Muad" means "foot", "drin"
means "soldier", "tia" means "to" and "caba". means "horse"

Ninte calichniye no domashitsa = Your welcome warms me

     Probably literally "Your welcome me warms" with the direct object coming before the verb.
     "Ninte" means "your", "calichniye" means "welcome", "no". means "me" and "domashita"
     means "warms". Again, this is a phrase from The Eye of the World, so it does not follow the
     standard word order.

Nosane iro gavane domorakoshi, diynen'd'ma'purvene = Speak we what language, Sounder of the
Horn

Word for word translation.

rahien sorei = dawn runners

An Aiel warrior society. "Rahien" means "dawn" and "sorei" means "runners".

Sa souvraya niende misain ye = I am lost in my own mind.

     Probably literally "In my own mind lost am I". "Sa" probably means "in", "souvraya" probably
     means "my own mind", "niende" probably means "lost", "misain" means "am" and "ye" means
     "I".

seia doon = black eyes

An Aiel warrior society. No idea on word order.

Sene sovya caba'donde ain dovienya = Luck is a horse to ride like any other.

     Probably literally "As/like another a horse to ride is luck". Thus, "sene" means "as/like",
     "sovya". means "another", "donde" means to ride, "ain" means "is" and "dovienya" means
     "luck".

shaidar haran = hand of the dark

"Shaidar" means "dark". "haran" means "hand of".

sha'mad conde = thunder walkers

An Aiel warrior society. No idea on word order.

shadar logoth = shadow's waiting

The present name for Aridhol. "Shadar" probably means "shadow" and "logoth" probably
means waiting.

shae'en m'taal = stone dogs

An Aiel warrior society. Because of the plural "en" ending, "shae'en" probably means "dogs",
and thus, "m'taal" probably means "stone".

shen an calhar = the band of the red hand

"Shen" means "band", "an" means "of", "cal" means "red" and "har" means "hand".

sovin nai = knife hands

An Aiel warrior society. Because of the plural "in" ending, "sovin" probably means "hands" and
thus, "nai" probably means "knife".

Suravye ninto manshima taishite = Peace favor your sword

     Probably literally means "??? your sword ???". No idea on the unknown word order. "Ninto"
     means "your" and "manshima" probably means "sword" as "man". is also present in
     "mandarb"..

tain shari = true bloods

An Aiel warrior society. "Tain" is the plural of "tai" and "shari" is the plural of "shar". No idea
on word order. See also "tai'shar".

tar valon = tower that guards

"Valon" is probably related to "val" which probably means "guard", thus "tar" probably means
"tower".

tarmon gai'don = last battle

"Gai" means battle which seems to imply that "tarmon" might mean "last", but "last battle" may
not be a correct translation.

tia avende alantin = Ogier

Probably literally "to the trees brother". "Tia" means "to", "avende" means "tree" and "alantin"
means "brother".

Tia mi aven Moridin isainde vadin = The grave is no bar to my call.

     The phrase on the Horn of Valere. Probably literally "To my call, death isn't bar". "Tia" means
     "to", "mi" means "my", "aven" means "call", "Moridin" means "death", "isainde" means "isn't",
     and "vadin" means "bar" or "barrier".

valdar cuebiyari = the heart guard

"Val" probably means "guard" and "cue" means "heart". The interesting thing here is that "dar"
means "sister". I am not sure what to make of this.