Dwarven language primer - an RP guide

With the rise of the new forums, as well as the increased interest in Dwarven RP, I figured I’d update and re-post my old Dwarf language guide!

As always feedback, suggestions and constructive criticism are very much appreciated.

Here is a link to the old google doc version of the guide with all the nice pictures and graphics. I’ll re-haul this post with some of them if I ever get the trust level to embed images and include links.

http://tinyurl.com/dwarflanguage

Disclaimer

The World of Warcraft dwarf language guide/primer was made with the limited official translations from Blizzard with all the rest being filled in with Khuzdul and Khazalid words (the Tolkien and Warhammer dwarf languages). All of these are in no way official but we as RPer’s have to fill in the blanks and many of the dwarf names and language are heavily based off of these two other dwarf languages so they are our best bet. I did not create all the sayings and translations (only some), I merely compiled everything in an easy to use guide

Now I’m not saying people should or have to use this guide, it’s just here if people want it and personally I find it would work better than any other alternative. Even if people don’t use it, I hope it works at least as a source of inspiration for people.

Sources:

wowpedia- dwarf (language)
Games Workshop (Khazalid) Grudgelore
LOTR wiki - Khuzdul
Dwarf quotes -Lexicanum

The Dwarven Language

The origin of the dwarven language heralds back to the titans and the ages of old. The Earthen, the stone-skinned ancestors (and later the first dwarves) spoke the titan language along with their cousins the giants and the vrykul. After the curse of flesh had created the vrykul and dwarf races proper, they began to drift away from their titan heritage, and like most languages in history, that too changed over time. The languages did not become completely different as a specialist could still easily point out where both the now different dwarven tongue and Vrykul language share close similarities with their titan ancestor (Just like how Thalassian and modern Darnassian are both similar and also still both connect with the ancient Darnassian/Darnassae tongue of the sundering era). The Vrykul tongue would eventually go on to evolve to modern day common used by their offspring, the humans, most likely with heavy influences from the other residents of the eastern kingdoms but that is a discussion for another time.

The grammatical structure of Dwarvish can be very difficult for outsiders to glean. The dwarf language usually places the subject before the verb in a sentence, however the way a word if pronounced or stressed can often determine where it should be thought of in relation to its place in a sentence. Some words are deemed so important that they are placed at the beginning of a sentence, and then again later on, regardless of formal structure. Dwarven has few individual words relating to abstract concepts, and most abstract concepts are described in relation to something physical, often using the same word as what they relate to. Most Dwarf words are formed from a short root word.

Dwarven Alphabet

The dwarven language is written in runes , a complicated set of markings indicating various phonetic sounds and grammatical devices; the most “official” runes are the Aldrhun (dwarvish for ‘old runes’) which is the ‘proper’ or ‘formal’ variation. Often Dwarves find themselves (such as while mining or travelling) without paper or writing implements and must scratch runes into hard surfaces where it is much more efficient to scribe hard angles and lines than curves. This led to the development of a simpler set of runes called the Klinkarun (literally “chisel-runes”) which is mainly used by the common folk when not in any formal use.

Below is an example of the common set of runes used by dwarves.

http://i.imgur.com/6MiQZF4.jpg

The sound of Dwarvish is entirely separate from human speech and even further from the melodic sounds of the elven tongues. It is a guttural language; and comparisons have been drawn to the rumbling of thunder. All Dwarves have deep, resonant voices and a tendency to speak louder than is technically necessary for the situation. Dwarven vowel sounds in particular are uncompromisingly precise and very heavily accented. Consonants are often spat aggressively or gargled at the back of the throat, and many Dwarf root words begin with harsh consonant sounds such as K, G and R. Contrary to humans, whose myriad dialects differ widely depending on geographic location-- even within the same language-- the Dwarfs remain fairly consistent in dialect across Azeroth although there are exceptions.

Dwarven Words

To follow is a “brief” list of some dwarven words and their meanings listed in alphabetical order to make it easier to view.

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.
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.

B

Bael - Red
Bael Dun - Red Town, Red Halls or Red Ground
Bael Modan - The Red Mountain
Bael Gar - Red Giant
Bak - Head (physical body part).
Bar, Barak - Fortified gate, door.
Barag - War machine.
Baraz - Bond, oath or promise.
Bezek - Own, possess.
Bezeki - Owner/possessor.
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.

C

Chuf - Piece of old cheese kept under miner’s hats in case of emergency.

D

Dal - Old, Sturdy
Dammaz - Grudge, bitterness.
Dar - A bet, wager or challenge.
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.
Draig - Dragon.
Draig’cyfail - “Dragonheart”, a title given to the wizard Rhonin
Drek - A great distance; a great ambition/undertaking.
Dreng - To slay in combat.
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.
Dum’Zul - Dark Iron
Dun - settlement/town, also refers to the ground or an underground hall/chamber.
Duraz - Stone.
Durak - Hard (literally “Stone-like”).
Dwyar’hun - “Star Bow”. A form of dwarven crossbow with spiked balls instead of bolts

E

Ekrund - A staircase descending into the earth.
Elgi - Elf, Elves. Homonym; skinny/ someone who is too thin.
Elgraz - Construction that seems about to collapse (noun).
Endrinkuli - Engineer, mechanic.
Eta - No

F

Frongol - Mushrooms which grow at the back of a cave.

G

Gal - Any kind of gold.
Galaz - Gold which makes a nice ornament.
Galbaraz - Oathgold - gold given/received because of a promise or oath.
Gand - Find, discover.
Gar - Giant
Garaz - Fearless, rebellious.
Gazan - Wasteland, plains.
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”).
Gnollor - 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” Refers to Goblins, Orcs and some trolls)
Grobi - Goblin, Goblins.
Grobkul - Sport of Greenskin (orc and troll) hunting
Grog - Inferior ale/beer, human-like brew.
Grom - Brave, defiant.
Gromdal - Ancient artefact.
Gromthi - Ancestor.
Grong - Anvil.
Gronit - Irregular verb ‘to do’ (past tense “gird”).
Grumbak - Short measure of ale; trivial complaint.
Grumbaki - A Dwarf who whines, complains or grumbles a lot.
Grund - Hammer.
Grundlid - “Hammertongue:” A secret language known by miners and engineers consisting of numbered and timed taps on a hard surface. Similar to morse-code
Grung - A mine.
Grungnaz - Making or smithing.
Grungron - A forge.
Guz - To consume food or drink. (May be where “guzzle” originated.)
Gwyarbrawden - Ritual among dwarven warriors, a way of connecting their blood. It was also a kind of justice. Those who swore Gwyarbrawden to another would avenge that person’s death no matter the difficulty.

H

Haggis - A dish consisting of a mixture of the minced heart, lungs, and liver of a sheep or calf mixed with suet, onions, oatmeal, and seasonings and boiled in the stomach of the slaughtered animal
Hazkal - Ale which has been only recently brewed; a fiery young warrior.
Hirn - Horn.
Hunk - Carry heavy rocks, carry a great burden.

I

Ik - Placing one’s hand into something slimy and unpleasant in the dark.
Irkul - Pillared vault hewn into rock.
Izor - Copper.

K

Karak - Enduring, lasting.
Kaza - Fortress.
Kazak - War, battle, conflict.
Khadgar - Trust
Khaz - Short form: refers to the titan Khaz’goroth
Khaz Modan - Mountain or Mountains of Khaz, named after the titan, Khaz’goroth.
Khâzad - Dwarf/Dwarves; Roughly translated as “The sons of Khaz” (Khaz’Goroth)
Khâzuk Khâzuk Khâzuk-ha -Dwarven war-chant.
Khâzukan - More formal alternate way to referring to dwarves
Khrum - War drum.
Klad - Armour.
Klinka - A chisel
Klinkarun - Commonly used runes (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.insult
Krut - Disease contracted from mountain goats.
Kruti - Dwarf suffering from the above (too much time above ground); a goatherd, an insult against Wildhammers.
Kulgur - The art of cooking Trolls.
Kuri - Meat stew spiced with wild berries; uses any available ingredients and made by travelers .
Kvinn - Lady.

L

Lid - Tongue (body part).
Loch - Lake
Loch Modan - Mountain Lake
Lochvar - Ocean/Sea
Lorn - Land
Lok - Very intricate or embellished; worthy of praise.

M

Magna - Protector, used for both male and female Guardians.
Makaz - Tool or weapon.
Maraz - Splitter.
Mingol - Tall watchtower built on lowland.
Modan - Mountain
Modrin - Mountain pass
Modrag - Volcano or barren mountain

N

Naggrund - Region of devastation or great industry and upheaval; roughly translates to devastation or desolation, but only when they apply specifically to industrial areas. (Example; Lodsaeron/Plaguelands, Azshara, Orgrimmar, Blasted Lands)
Nogarung - Tankard used to drink from, made from Troll’s skull.

O

Ogri - Ogres.
Oie - yes
Ok - (pronounced aw-K) Cunning, skillful.
Okri - Craftsman. (Also a common personal name.)
Onk - Comradely assertion of dirt and grime on Dwarfs who have spent much time underground.

R

Ragarin - Coarse/uncomfortable clothing made from Ettin hide.
Rhun - Runes; a word.
Rhunki - Runesmith…
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.

S

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.

T

Thane - A clan leader, Lord, Mountain King or King.
Thag - To kill in a dishonourable or dishonest fashion.
Thagi - A traitorous killer.
Thaggor - troggs.
Thrindrongol - Secret vault to keep ale or treasure or valuables in.
Thingaz - Dense forest.
Thor - Short form, refers to the titanic watcher Thorim
Thor Modan - Mountains of Thorim
Throgg - Feast or bout of excessive drinking.
Throng - Army or gathering of Dwarfs, a clan.
Thrund - A hand gun.
Tromm - literally translated as Beard; A term of respect to an elder dwarf due to age or experience.

U

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), an extreme insult.
Und - Watchpost carved into the side of a mountain.
Ungdrin - Underway; underground dwarf tunnels/highways that connect towns, cities and settlements
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.

V

Valdahaz - Brewery.
Vongal - Raiding band.
Vorn - A farm.

W

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.
Wanza’Dum - Derogatory term towards Dark Irons
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.

Z

Zak - Isolated hut in the mountains.
Zaki - Crazed Dwarf who wanders the mountains. Dwarf hermit.
Zan - Blood
Zharr - Fire.
Zhuf - Torrent of water, waterfall, rapid river.
Zorn - Upland meadow, plateau.
Zon - The Sun.
Zul - Iron

Dwarven Names

In dwarven culture, family names often indicate clan names as well. They are lesser clans within one of the three main dwarven cultures. Some family names are derived from names of honor earned through some feat, which replace the family’s true name. For example,Falstad Dragonreaver’s real name is Falstad Wildhammer. This shows that the new name could be passed on to their descendants, depending on the choice of the individual. Another example would be the members of “Thunderaxe”, who joined the Dark Iron clan during the War of the Three Hammers, taking on the name “Pikesplitter”.

Ironforge dwarves typically have names reflecting the sturdy nature of their past. Their surnames are either the name of their clan or are names that were earned by a member of the family in service during a quest or in a particular moment of notoriety or infamy that has now become part of a family legacy.

Examples

  • Male Names: Barab, Aradun, Thorin, Magni, Garrim, Wendel, Thurimar.
  • Female Names: Chise, Helga, Ferya, Furga, Krona, Moira.
  • Family/Clan Names: Thunderforge, Bronzebeard, Hammergrim, Thornsteel, Chunderstout, Stonehammer.

Wildhammers follow many of the same naming conventions as their Ironforge brethren, taking names that reflect noble ancestors or their closer bond to nature/their gryphon’s. Wildhammer surnames recall great accomplishments of family members and clans.

Examples

  • Male Names: Kazdun, Hagrim, Dondar, Soldrin, Falstad.
  • Female Names: Kella, Lorim, Ar-ya, Senica.
  • Family/Clan Names: Beastclaw, Greatbeard, Thundertamer, Windseer.

Dark Irons, like the other types of dwarves have names of their clans or great accomplishments but unlike the other dwarves, Dark irons tend to lean more on the dark insidious side of things when it comes to their naming conventions.

  • Male Names: Dagran, Durak, Franclorn, Corin, Galgann
  • Female Names: Modgud, Fenella, Zoe
  • Family/Clan Names: Thaurissian, Doomforge, Moltenfist, Blackburn, ShadowSkull

As an extra added bonus:

Fun/Silly Dwarf phrases and sayings

  1. Nothing evens a race like an axe to the kneecaps
  2. The air must be thin up there - (an insult used against those of the taller folk)
  3. Beardling - A young Dwarf who has yet to prove his salt, typically under 50 years of age, with a short beard. Usually a condescending term used by older dwarves to youth.
  4. Never turn down an ale, who knows if it may be your last
  5. Ten seconds more…(and I will smash ye into nothingness!) A popular quote attributed to a legendary dwarven warrior. Now used euphemistically, “ten seconds more” implying, I’m losing my patience, and you are about to feel my wrath. Good tip to back off, if you ever hear a dwarf say that to you in the tavern one night.
  6. Leave iron to rest before you hammer it
  7. Keep your feet on the ground - Dwarven farewell
  8. Guard your beard, guard your gold, guard your life. In that order.
  9. Manling - Dwarf term for human
  10. “A hundred able dwarves…” As in, give me a hundred able dwarves and I could conquer Orgrimmar, or, give me a hundred able dwarves and I would build a city upon this mound in a fortnight! And so on. Used to denote the solid reliability and can-do attitude of each and every dwarf.
  11. “We still hone the axe" (the full expression being, “We still hone the axe which slew your kin. Tis’ still sharp and ever-ready”) A warning the dwarves will use—we still hone the axe—to denote a second or third attack on the orcs/members of the horde who didn’t learn their lessons the first time the dwarves attacked.
  12. Schist! (a poor, flaky mineral—the equivalent of saying S**t!)
  13. The Humans have a saying. The nail that sticks out gets hammered. We have a saying too. Shoddy work! Not a single nail should be sticking out.
  14. I swear by my forge (obviously a serious oath)
  15. Deep(s) - term used to refer to the multiple levels of a dwarven city. (Example; the part of Ironforge we see ingame is the 5th deep. The city has 8)
  16. Nothing a hammer can’t solve
  17. It is easy to fool a trogg, but even easier to kill one. (Don’t bother with complex solutions, when simple ones will do)
  18. The best place to hide something precious is in your beard. (Because no one will think to look in the obvious place)
  19. Long’uns. (Long ones) - refers to the taller and skinnier races; primarily humans and elves.
  20. The stones will sing if you let them (do be quiet)
  21. Marriage is like an anvil. It is always there. It is solid. It is quiet. Like a husband. (Dwarven matrons have been overheard telling their daughters)
  22. Drinking contests with humans are unbearable. They drink, they collapse, and we have to drag them back to their homes. The next day they never remember losing.
  23. “Hi ho hi, it’s off to war we go…” - Dwarf marching chant (many variations, some include drinking instead of war)
  24. The first prisoners always killed are the cowards. Only then, the traitors. (being cowardly is very, very bad)
  25. There are only 2 sure things in this world. The strength of dwarven steel and the glitter of gold.
  26. Never answer a question when you’re dreaming (implying superstitious fear/distrust of witchcraft/magic; mainly used by more older traditional bronzebeards)

Thanks for Reading
~Throren Stonehammer

4 Likes

Great guide, thank you for the information!