S'Kra Language

Pieces here are from a larger Primer compiled by Leyhan. Sources are listed at bottom.

S'Kra Lexicon: alphabetical, sortable list of known S'Kra words plus a list of terms that are derived from S'Kra.

Forms of Language

Sharaanpon'u

The spoken form of the language is called S'Kra. Unless otherwise stated, the information in this article pertains to S'Kra. S'Kra is a simplified form of Sharaanpon'u (S'Kra Mur traditional form of poetry), which is used in ceremonies and rituals.

Eth'ral'khh

The written language is called Eth'ral'khh. Eth'ral'khh is a logographic system that primarily comprises ideograms. Because Eth'ral'khh is not written in the Common alphabet, it is not directly represented in the game. However, some Eth'ral'khh signs and items are transliterated into the Common alphabet.

Hissing Speech

Hissing is commonly viewed in two ways. On the one hand, it is natural for S'Kra Mur to hiss when expressing intense emotion, such as anger, frustration, or excitement. On the other hand, to habitually hiss one's speech is a mark of low birth. A S'Kra Mur who speaks with a habitual hiss is often viewed with disdain by other S'Kra Mur.

Beginner's Notes

Forms of Address

• What is said can vary greatly in meaning, depending on the form of address used. This is most obvious when speaking in the pohan form.

-When a single word differs between the verb forms, a 'n' is often part of the q'alrin form, an 'l' in the smolgan form, and a 's' in the ru'atin form.

Example: 'I am'

q'alrin: aena

smolgan: aela

ru'atin: aesa

Compounds

• S'Kra uses many compound words. A whole sentence or idea can be put into one long word, less intimidating when broken down.

-The subject and verb are often combined into one compound word. Starts with the subject, followed by the conjugated verb. (ae for I, yi for he).

-You can also combine a subject and pronoun to indicate ownership. (ae when used in a compound with a noun becomes my)

-The names for the tail gestures often have similar meanings to the emotions they express when used in speech. You can guess that some contentment or peace is involved when you hear em in a sentence. Anger is involved when you hear oloh.

-'hhs often used to denote belonging. Suffix to the word that is owned.

-lakh is used to denote that something is missing.

Suffix/Prefix

Pishra - little stop - Intake of breath or skip in verbiage

HH is the "uh" or "eh" sound in most other languages

ZH is negative, i.e. Smolg is tail, Smozh is tailless.

Papi - Delicately placed/sat/perched

Hhan - suffix to indicate a delayed occurence

Hhs - suffix used to indicate belonging

Tal - suffix to indicate the near future

Ku - prefix - With

Common Words and Phrases

Poho - Honored Lord/Lady

Smolgi - Friend

Pon'zh'sha S'kra - I don't know S'kra (language)

Smozh - Tailless (an insult) [Insignificant people; grave insult; true smozh treated as if they do not exist.]

Sarhhtha - S'kra dancing style

Isth'hhtaw'hhs S'Kra'Mur - In The Ways of the S'kra Mur

Ru'at - Circle of family, friends, and allies

Q'alrin - Those outside one's Ru'at

Q'alri - One outside a S'Kra's Ru'at

Ru'ati - One inside a S'Kra's Ru'at

S'Kra Mur's spoken language - S'Kra

S'Kra Mur's written language - eth'ral'khh

S'Kra Mur's ceremonial language (spoken) - Sharaanpon'u

• Greetings:

Q'alrin: Nido'a ("I see you.")

Smolgan: Otoh em ("Peace comes.")

Ru'atin: Aehhrki paar ("My soul is complete.")

Pohan: Rath'agrkhhan aensmo'ku'par ("The gods bring us together.")

• Goodbye:

Q'alrin: Saagri ("I watch you go.")

Smolgan: Ibu'rath'a ("Gods go with you.")

Ru'atin: Y'nerpar aensmo'ku'par ("We are always together.")

Pohan: Hav'roth sa'mahil'in. ("Hav'roth smile on you.")

• Be well:

Q'alrin: Esuna tel'rath'a ("Go in happiness.")

Smolgan: Esula em ("Go in peace.")

Ru'atin: Esulaku aeama'hhrsk ("Go with my love.")

Pohan: Esusaku Peri'el ("Go with Peri'el.")

• Questions:

Zasul...? - Where is the...?

Sorsha'la ae'q'alrin? - Why do you q'alrin me?

Pon'zh'laar ru'at? - Am I not your ru'at? lit (You do not speak ru'at with me.)

To speak to someone differently is to tell them they are different to you now.

Pon'zh being to not speak. IE: "Pon'laar q'alri" would be like asking if you are

now a stranger to the person it is directed at.

• What is your name?:

Q'alrin: Shana yvyn?

Smolgan: --- none; there is no need to ask.

Ru'atin: --- none; there is no need to ask.

Pohan: Shasa'hhn kho?

• How are you?:

Q'alrin: Kulna ese?

Smolgan: Kula ese?

Ru'atin: Kulsa ese?

Pohan: rath'amahilin'hhn? ("Do the gods smile?")

• Answers:
  

Pon'zh'sha - I don't know...

Aeyvyn... - My name is...

• I am...(status):

Q'alrin: Aena..

Smolgan: Aela..

Ru'atin: Aesa..

Pohan: Aesa'hhn..

Fine: Tel

So-so: Enhaar

Tired/Unhappy: Lanahh'lakh ("lacking life")

Happy: Rath'amahilin

Hungry: Pahami'lakh

• I love you:

Exact meaning depends on usage:

Q'alrin: Kulna arna'hhs (lit: "You are like the boulder."; fig: "I rely on you.")

Smolgan: Shh'oisa smolgi ("[You have my] deepest friendship.")

Ru'atin: Aehhrkhi sa'hhs ("My heart is yours.")

Pohan: Khosa'hhn aepivo'hrr'shuzh ("My regard of you will never die.")

• Phrases used in S'Kra Mur Weddings:

Aelanahh ka saarlanahh, aepivo'hhr ka saarpivo'hhr, hisakna'hhs Hav'roth isha re'halen.

-My life is yours, your death is mine, in Hav'roth's will for eternity.

Ru'at Shaman: Y'ner'hhs's'hhra ku oshu'hhs Hav'roth kho'smo'kku'sa, apodu'sa, hhrki'sa.

Smolgan Shaman: Y'ner'hhs's'hhra ku oshu'hhs Hav'roth kho'smo'kku'la apudo'la, hhrki'la.

-Let the future be as now with the strength of Hav'roth upholding you, entwining you, binding you

• Proverbs:

"Be like the aganylosh'a, and face both ways, that the wind may never blow you over a cliff." -old Rathan S'Kra Mur saying

aganylosh'a is Gerenshuge for Tree of Peace. (Elothean language)

• Other:

Esu shh'oi'pejek.

"Go and be in great pain." (formal curse)

Sources

GM Basilisc, GM Ellerina, GM Porlock, Herpo, Iscarious, Leyhan, Majebrad, Mhalacious, Sarkranis, Sorenne, Tsarenzi, Valloa, and Smozh

Related Forum Posts

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Additional Information

• S'Kra Mur Naming Conventions
• S'Kra Language (script): Genie script that gives greetings and farewells in the proper form of address (q'alrin, smolgan, ru'atin, or pohan)