A Guide Into The Dwarven Language [Khazalid]
Hey there,
this here is a guide for any fluff writer who, for any given reason wants to use Khazalid in his/her creations. be it just a word or actual in depth grammar. I'm trying to cover it all and make it an easy comprehensive guide in this ancient Dwarfen language. It will cover anything from words, grammar to the actual Runes.
This is a daunting task, with much research to be done, and won't be completed overnight. Nor will it be without faults, as I don't have every source of information on this topic. Any help from the community is much appreciated and encouraged. If you see something I've done wrong, or want something to be added just post it here, preferbly with your source (Link to the website/article/forum thread etc, name of the book, number of the WD Issue etc.)
hopefully this guide will be of use to people, and good enough to make it to as a sticky, at the very least it's something to keep me busy
.
Sources:
HammerWiki, Khazalid.
N01h3r3 Warhammer Fantasy Battle Roleplay.
The Warhammer Dwarfs Army Book: 6th edition. ISBN 978-1-84154-690-9
Warhammer Fantasy Battle 8th Edition Rulebook.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Khazalid is written in runes (Rhuns), because Dwarfs often find themselves without paper when on an (mining) expedition, and often resort to scribbling on walls and stones, as round curves are difficult to be etched in those materials, there is a special set of runes developed by the Dwarfes. the so called Klinkarun ( literally means Chisel-Runes, the "h" of "rhuns" is dropped.)
and here they are for your convenience:
Grammar:
The grammar of Khazalid can be quite difficult to understand, usuallly the subject is placed before the verb, but the way a word is pronounced or stressed can often determine where it should be thought of in relation to its place in a sentence. And some words are deemed so important that they are placed at the beginning of a sentence, and reappear later in the sentence. Dwarfs don't have much words to describe abstract concepts, and often words for abstract concepts can be used for something physical, often words are used that describe something they relate to.
Most Dwarf words are formed from a short root word, for instance Kar (meaning "big stone") and a signifier, for instance -az (meaning the word it is attached to is relating to a place) - so Karaz literally means "big stone place" - But it is the Khazalid word for mountain. Signifiers are not limited to one either; adding -i signifies a race or profession, so Karazi means a mountain-tribe (literally "big stone place people").
lets talk more about those signifiers, as those make your lives alot easier if you understand them:
There are nine(9) different signifiers:
-az
-ak
-ar
-en
-i
-al
-it
-ul/kul
-ha
Each one makes the "Root Word" mean something different, similar to the Suffixes -ing and -ed in the language of men.
-az: means that the word means a physical thing or place. Dwarfs however, think that things of importance, such as challenges, and large grudges, are also solid nouns and use this signifier.
-ak: means that the word is an abstract concept such as Happiness, Anger, or chivalry.
-ar: means that something that is indefinite, such as the endless war, or the passing of the days.
-en: Something that is happening now, but not indefinitely, similar to the Human suffix -ing.
-i: means a specific person, or group of people, such as a king, country, to engineers.
-al: means an informal group of people, for example Dawal means a group of dwarfs, but not a specific group of dwarfs, such as a group of dwarfs in an inn.
-it: can either mean a noun is of little importance, or can turn a noun into a verb. You can tell the difference by deciding which usage would make sense in the context.
-ul/kul: means "The art of" or "The mastery of" the noun. for example "Angazal" is the mastery of ironwork.
-ha: is the dwarf equivalent of an exclamation mark (!), or can turn a noun into an insult.
now something the folks of GW have made to show us how it works:
some other stuff you might need when forming sentences are of course relative pronouns, conjunctions and other elements of language that are good to know.
take a break, get some beer, coffee or tea and sleep for a while.
Next up: a basic list of words and their (rough) translations. More words will be added when discovered.
A
K
Q
R
Y
Z
this here is a guide for any fluff writer who, for any given reason wants to use Khazalid in his/her creations. be it just a word or actual in depth grammar. I'm trying to cover it all and make it an easy comprehensive guide in this ancient Dwarfen language. It will cover anything from words, grammar to the actual Runes.
This is a daunting task, with much research to be done, and won't be completed overnight. Nor will it be without faults, as I don't have every source of information on this topic. Any help from the community is much appreciated and encouraged. If you see something I've done wrong, or want something to be added just post it here, preferbly with your source (Link to the website/article/forum thread etc, name of the book, number of the WD Issue etc.)
hopefully this guide will be of use to people, and good enough to make it to as a sticky, at the very least it's something to keep me busy
.Sources:
HammerWiki, Khazalid.
N01h3r3 Warhammer Fantasy Battle Roleplay.
The Warhammer Dwarfs Army Book: 6th edition. ISBN 978-1-84154-690-9
Warhammer Fantasy Battle 8th Edition Rulebook.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Runes:
Khazalid is written in runes (Rhuns), because Dwarfs often find themselves without paper when on an (mining) expedition, and often resort to scribbling on walls and stones, as round curves are difficult to be etched in those materials, there is a special set of runes developed by the Dwarfes. the so called Klinkarun ( literally means Chisel-Runes, the "h" of "rhuns" is dropped.)
and here they are for your convenience
:Grammar:
The grammar of Khazalid can be quite difficult to understand, usuallly the subject is placed before the verb, but the way a word is pronounced or stressed can often determine where it should be thought of in relation to its place in a sentence. And some words are deemed so important that they are placed at the beginning of a sentence, and reappear later in the sentence. Dwarfs don't have much words to describe abstract concepts, and often words for abstract concepts can be used for something physical, often words are used that describe something they relate to.
Most Dwarf words are formed from a short root word, for instance Kar (meaning "big stone") and a signifier, for instance -az (meaning the word it is attached to is relating to a place) - so Karaz literally means "big stone place" - But it is the Khazalid word for mountain. Signifiers are not limited to one either; adding -i signifies a race or profession, so Karazi means a mountain-tribe (literally "big stone place people").
lets talk more about those signifiers, as those make your lives alot easier if you understand them:
There are nine(9) different signifiers:
-az
-ak
-ar
-en
-i
-al
-it
-ul/kul
-ha
Each one makes the "Root Word" mean something different, similar to the Suffixes -ing and -ed in the language of men.
-az: means that the word means a physical thing or place. Dwarfs however, think that things of importance, such as challenges, and large grudges, are also solid nouns and use this signifier.
-ak: means that the word is an abstract concept such as Happiness, Anger, or chivalry.
-ar: means that something that is indefinite, such as the endless war, or the passing of the days.
-en: Something that is happening now, but not indefinitely, similar to the Human suffix -ing.
-i: means a specific person, or group of people, such as a king, country, to engineers.
-al: means an informal group of people, for example Dawal means a group of dwarfs, but not a specific group of dwarfs, such as a group of dwarfs in an inn.
-it: can either mean a noun is of little importance, or can turn a noun into a verb. You can tell the difference by deciding which usage would make sense in the context.
-ul/kul: means "The art of" or "The mastery of" the noun. for example "Angazal" is the mastery of ironwork.
-ha: is the dwarf equivalent of an exclamation mark (!), or can turn a noun into an insult.
now something the folks of GW have made to show us how it works:
Your head hasn't exploded yet? good, lets carry on.
some other stuff you might need when forming sentences are of course relative pronouns, conjunctions and other elements of language that are good to know.
- A - Of, with, within, to
- Ad - Did, done (when preceding a verb)
- Af - They, you (plural)
- Ai, I, Ip, Ap - Yes
- An - Will, shall, am going to, with purpose (preceding a verb)
- Anad - Will have done, shall have done
- Bin - In, on, beside, adjacent to, next to
- Anu - Soon, very soon, any minute now
- Bar - But, bear in mind, except for (Also word for fortified gate)
- Ek - He, she, it, you (singular)
- Nai, nar nuf - No, not, never
- Nu - Now, currently, at this time
- Ok - Why, how
- Or - I, me, myself
- Sar - May, could, might, perhaps will, possibly might (preceding a verb)
- Um - Them, those, these
- Un - And, also, as well
- Ut - Us, we, ourselves
- Wanrag - Where
- Wanrak - When (preceding a verb)
take a break, get some beer, coffee or tea and sleep for a while.
Next up: a basic list of words and their (rough) translations. More words will be added when discovered.
A
- A - Of, with, within, to.
- Ad - Did, done.
- Af - They, you (plural).
- Agril - Silver metal.
- Agrul - Stone carving, lines on the face of a very old Dwarf.
- Ai, I, Ap, Ip - Yes.
- Ald - Old.
- Aldrhun - Old runes.
- An - Will, shall, am going to, with purpose.
- Anad - Will have done, shall have done.
- Ang - Ironwork, industrial work.
- Ankor - Domain, realm, country.
- Anu - Soon, very soon, any minute now!
- Arkhandrazkal - The art of inscribing runes on precious metal with a Troll's tooth.
- Arm - Irregular verb 'to be'. (Past tense "urz")
- Az - War axe.
- Az-Dreugi - Great axe.
- Azgal - Treasure hoard.
- Azkahr - Massive masonry.
- Azril - Silvery colour
- Azul - Metal of any kind, dependable, a sturdy Dwarf.
- Azuldrungi- Ironbreakers.
- Bak - Head (physical body part).
- Bar, Barak - Fortified gate, door.
- Bar Dawazbak - Dwarf Head Gate.
- Barag - War machine.
- Baraz - Bond, oath or promise.
- Bezek - Own, possess.
- Bezeki - Ownerpossessor.
- Bin - In, on, beside.
- Boga - A candle which blows out unexpectedly, making a tunnel dark.
- Bok - Banging head on a low tunnel ceiling, scar caused by this.
- Boki - Slang for Dwarf miners.
- Bolg - Fat belly. Also a state of extreme wealth, age and contentment .
- Bran - Clever, alert, mentally sharp.
- Brog - Bread, cake.
- Bryn - Gold which shines brightly in the sunlight. Anything that is shiny or brilliant, or brilliantly coloured or decorated.
- Brynduraz - A bright blue stone valued by the Dwarfs. ("Brightstone") .
- Chuf - Piece of old cheese kept under hat in case of emergency.
- Dal - Old, Sturdy
- Dammaz - Grudge, bitterness.
- Dammaz Kron - Literally "Grudge Book"; can also refer to the Great Book of Grudges.
- Dar - A bet, wager or challenge.
- Dawazbak - Dwarf head.
- Dawi - Dwarfs.
- Dawr - As good and reliable as can be, without proving reliability through use over time.
- Deb - Untried, untested, unconditioned.
- Doh - Stupid, gullible.
- Dok - To observe, watch; an eye.
- Dongliz - Parts of Dwarf body impossible to scratch.
- Drakk - Dragon.
- Drek - A great distance; a great ambition/undertaking.
- Dreng - To slay in combat.
- Drengi - A Slayer.
- Dringorak - "Cunning Road", usually a trap-door or secret passageway.
- Dron - Thunder, loud boom/noise.
- Drongnel - A Dragon stew with strong mushrooms, marinated in ale.
- Drung - Defeat, vanquish.
- Duk - Low cramped tunnel.
- Dum - Doom or darkness, evil, Chaos.
- Dunkin - Annual Dwarf bathing ritual.
- Duraz - Stone.
- Durak - Hard (literally "Stone-like").
- Ekrund - A staircase descending into the earth.
- Elgi - Elf, Elves.
- Elgram - Weak, thin, feeble.
- Elgraz - Construction that seems about to collapse (noun).
- Endrinkuli - Engineer, mechanic.
- Frongol - Mushrooms which grow at the back of a cave.
- Gal - Any kind of gold.
- Galaz - Gold which makes a nice ornament.
- Galbaraz - Oathgold.
- Gand - Find, discover.
- Garaz - Fearless, rebellious.
- Gazan - Wasteland, plains.
- Gazul Bar Baraz; Gazul Gand Baraz-- Invocation of Gazul, Lord of the Undereath. Literally "A bond to Gazul's Gate; Gazul help them find the gate."
- Ghal - Skull.
- Ghal Maraz - Skull-Splitter.
- Gibal - Fragments of food in a beard.
- Ginit - Small stone in a boot which causes discomfort.
- Girt - Broad tunnel with plenty of headroom.
- Git - Irregular verb "to go" (past tense "ged").
- Gnem - Shortened form of Grobagorli
- Gnol - Old and reliable, proven to be trustworthy, wise.
- Gnoll-engrom - Respect due a Dwarf with a longer or more impressive beard.
- Gor - Wild beast.
- Gorak - Great cunning; uncanny.
- Gorl - The colour yellow; gold which is soft and yellow.
- Gorog - Beer/Ale; high spirits; a drinking binge.
- Got - March/Travel quickly with purpose.
- Grik - Neck pain caused by stooping in tunnels.
- Grim - Harsh, unyielding.
- Grimaz - Barren area of land.
- Grimazul - Steel (trans. Unyielding Iron)
- Grindal - Long plait worn in the hair of a Dwarf maiden.
- Grint - Waste rock left from mining.
- Grizal - Poor meat.
- Grizdal - Ale which has been fermented for over a century.
- Grob - The colour green; also Greenskins (literally "Greenies").
- Grobagorli - Literally "goblin of the deserts".
- Grobi - Goblin, Goblins.
- Grobkaz - Goblin work, evil doings.
- Grobkul - Stalking Goblins in caves.
- Grog - Inferior ale/beer, human-like brew.
- Grom - Brave, defiant.
- Gromdal - Ancient artefact.
- Gromril - Extremely rare, valuable and sturdy yet light metal.
- Gromthi - Ancestor.
- Grong - Anvil.
- Gronit - Irregular verb 'to do' (past tense "gird").
- Gronti – Giant
- Grumbak - Short measure of ale; trivial complaint.
- Grumbaki - A Dwarf who whines, complains or grumbles a lot.
- Grund - Hammer.
- Grundi- Hammerers
- Grundlid - "Hammertongue:" A secret language known by miners and engineers consisting of numbered and timed taps on a hard surface.
- Grung - A mine.
- Grungnaz - Making or smithing.
- Grungni - Dwarf Ancestor God of smithing and forging.
- Grungron - A forge.
- Guz - To consume food or drink. (May be where "guzzle" originated.)
- Hazkal - Ale which has been only recently brewed; a fiery young warrior.
- Hirn - Horn.
- Hunk - Carry heavy rocks, carry a great burden.
- Ik - Placing one's hand into something slimy and unpleasant in the dark.
- Irkul - Pillared vault hewn into rock.
- Izor - Copper.
K
- Kadrin - Mountain pass.
- Karag - Volcano or barren mountain.
- Karak - Enduring, lasting.
- Karaz Ankor - Literally "Mountain Domain", Realm of the Mountains: The Dwarf empire of Karak Ankor.
- Karak Azgal - "Treasure Mountain".
- Karak Azul - "Metal Mountain".
- Karaz-a-Karak - "Everpeak" or "Eternal Mountain".
- Karaz - Mountain.
- Kazad - Fortress.
- Kazak - War, battle, conflict.
- Khaz - Underground hall/chamber.
- Khazukan - Dwarfs (literally "Hall-dwellers").
- Khazukan Kazakit-ha - "Look out! The Dwarfs are on the warpath!"
- Khrum - War drum.
- Klad – Armour.
- Klinka - A chisel.
- Klinkarun - Commonly used runes, usually scratched into rock (literally "Chisel-runes").
- Kol - The colour black, black stone; sombre.
- Konk - Large and bulbous nose; gold which is ruddy in colour.
- Krink - Bad back due to stooping in tunnels.
- Kron - Book, record. (Possibly where the human word "Chronicle" originated.)
- Kruk - Unexpected disappointment; vein of ore which suddenly proves to be empty.
- Krunk - A disaster; an underground rock fall.
- Krut - Disease contracted from mountain goats.
- Kruti - Dwarf suffering from the above; a goatherd, an insult.
- Kulgur - The art of cooking Trolls.
- Kuri - Meat stew spiced with wild berries; uses any available ingredients and made by travelers .
- Kvinn - Lady.
- Kvinn Wyr - White Lady (A mountain near Karak Eight Peiks.)
- Langktrommi - Longbeard
- Lid - Tongue (body part).
- Lok - Very intricate or embellished; worthy of praise.
- Makaz - Tool or weapon.
- Maraz - Splitter.
- Mingol - Tall watchtower built on lowland.
- Naggrund - Region of devastation or great industry and upheaval; roughly translates to devastation or desolation, but only when they apply specifically to industrial areas.
- Nogarung - Tankard used to drink from, made from Troll's skull.
- Ogri – Ogres.
- Ok - Cunning, skillful.
- Okri - Craftsman. (Also a common personal name.)
- Onk - Comradely assertion of dirt and grime on Dwarfs who have spent much time underground.
Q
R
- Ragarin - Coarse/uncomfortable clothing made from Troll hide.
- Rhun – Runes; a word.
- Rhunki - Runesmith.
- Rik - King, Lord.
- Ril - Gold ore which shines brightly in rock.
- Rinn - A lady Dwarf, King's consort.
- Rorkaz - Informal shouting contest.
- Ruff - Large underground dome, either natural or constructed.
- Runk - One-sided fight; a sound thrashing.
- Rutz - Slackness of the bowels caused by excessive ale consumption.
- Skarrenruf - The colour bright blue; daytime sky.
- Skaz - Thief.
- Skof - Cold meal, usually eaten underground.
- Skrat - Scavenge; harsh living; searching for gold in loose rocks or a stream bed.
- Skrati - Poor prospector.
- Skree - The loose rock on a hill or mountainside.
- Skruff - Scrawny beard (considered a terrible insult).
- Skrund - The act of cleaving rock; to work hard.
- Skuf - Drunken fight, skirmish. (May be the origin of the Human word scuffle.)
- Slotch - Mix of water, mud and bits of stone at the bottom of a mine or quarry.
- Stok - The act of hitting or striking.
- Strol - To travel or walk leisurely.
- Stromez - Stream.
- Thag - To kill in a dishonourable or dishonest fashion.
- Thagi - A traitorous killer.
- Thaggoraki - Ratmen (Skaven).
- Thrindrongol - Secret vault to keep ale or treasure or valuables in.
- Thingaz - Dense forest.
- Throng – Army or gathering of Dwarfs, a clan.
- Thrund - A hand gun.
- Trogg - Feast or bout of excessive drinking.
- Troll – Troll.
- Tromm - Beard; respect due to age or experience.
- Ufdi - A vain Dwarf; a Dwarf who excessively preens his beard, implies that he cannot be trusted to fight.
- Umanar - Roughly or approximately; indecision.
- Umgak - Poorly made. (Literally "Human-made".)
- Umgi - Humans.
- Unbaraki - Oathbreaker(s).
- Und - Watchpost carved into the side of a mountain.
- Ungdrin - Underway; the ancient underground passage network of the Dwarfs.
- Ungor - Cavern or cave.
- Ungrim - A Dwarf yet to fulfill an important oath; untrustworthy.
- Urbar - Trade.
- Urbaz - Trading post, market.
- Urk - Orc or enemy.
- Uzkul - Bones; death.
- Valdahaz - Brewery.
- Varn - Mountain lake.
- Varr - Sea.
- Vongal - Raiding band.
- Vorn - A farm.
- Wan - Signifies a question when used at the start of a phrase, can also be used directly before a word to form a question.
- Wanaz - Disreputable Dwarf; unkempt beard.
- Wattock - Unsuccessful prospector; down-at-heel (insult).
- Wazzock - Foolish, gullible; someone who has exchanged valuables for something of little worth.
- Werit - State of confusion; a Dwarf who has forgotten where he put down his ale.
- Wutroth - Wood from an old Mountain Oak tree.
- Wyr - White.
Y
Z
- Zak - Isolated hut in the mountains.
- Zaki - Crazed Dwarf who wanders the mountains.
- Zan - Blood; the colour red.
- Zharr - Fire.
- Zharr Naggrund - Desolation of Fire.
- Zhuf - Torrent of water, waterfall, rapid river.
- Zhufbar - Torrent-gate.
- Zorn - Upland meadow, plateau.
- Zon - The Sun.
- Zul - Iron
