Lore:Aldmeris (language)

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This article is about the language. For the place, see Aldmeris.

Map of Summerset Isle, using Aldmeris script

Aldmeris, sometimes called Ald Aldmeris,[1] Old Aldmeris,[2] Aldmeric,[3] Aldmeri,[4] Elven,[5] Elvish,[6] or Old Elvish,[7] is an Elven language that originated from the eponymous Aldmer. It is viewed as a glorious and beautiful tongue compared to Tamrielic.[8] Aldmeris is not limited to words, boasting alternative manuscripts for musical notation[9][10] and measuring numerology.[2]

Usage[edit]

In his original exploration of Tamriel, Topal the Pilot taught the Birdfolk of the Ruby Isles Aldmeris, in both spoken and written form.[4] The Dwemer wrote many of their documents in Aldmeris.[11] Until High Rock joined the Alessian Empire, Breton nobility used Aldmeris to signify pride in their Elven origins.[12] By the late Third Era, Aldmeris was still taught across the Elven nations of Tamriel and used in Elven arts. Any educated Elf during this time was expected to be able to read and write the language. Some isolated Elven communities spoke it as their first language.[6]

Language Family and Genetic Relationship[edit]

Aldmeris itself is descended from Ehlnofex, the language of the Ehlnofey.[UOL 1] When it came to Tamriel, it branched off into several other languages, including all of the modern Elvish languages such as Dark Elvish and Orcish, as well as their predecessors, Old Orcish and Velothi.[6] These offshoot tongues maintain a close resemblance to Aldmeris.[11] High Elvish is separate from Aldmeris, as only isolated tribes of Elves spoke Aldmeris as their first language by the late Third Era, but the two tongues share many words and have both been called 'Elvish'.[6][UOL 2] When creating a runic transcription of the oral Atmoran tongue, Ysgramor used the principles of Aldmeris.[13]

Aldmeris Dictionary[edit]

A[edit]

Aba-Loria 
Forbidden Darkness[7]
Aedra 
roughly 'Our Ancestors'[14]
Akavir 
Dragon Land[15]
Ald 
Old, Ancient, Elderly[UOL 2]
Aldmer 
First Folk, Elder Folk[16][17]
Altmer 
High Elves, Elder Ones, High Ones[18]
Altmora 
Elder Wood[13]

B[edit]

Bosmer 
Wood Elves, Green Ones, Forest Ones[18]

C[edit]

Chimer 
Changed Ones (archaically and poetically 'People of the North')[18][19]
Chimera 
Change[20]

D[edit]

Daedra 
roughly 'Not Our Ancestors'[14]
Dunmer 
Dark Elves, Cursed Ones, Dark Ones[18]
Dwemer 
Deep Elves (alternatively 'Smart Elves' according to Dlyxexic theory)[21]

F[edit]

Falkreath[22]:574

G[edit]

Glamoril 
Secret of Life[23]

H[edit]

Hegathe 
roughly 'Deathland'[24]

L[edit]

Lorkhan 
Doom Drum[25]

M[edit]

Maormer 
Sea Elves[26][27]
Mer 
Folk,[17] People, Ones;[18] commonly, Elves[6] or Elf[28]
Mora 
Forest[UOL 2]

O[edit]

Orsimer 
Cursed Folk, Pariah Folk[4][29][6]
Orsinium 
Orc-Town[8]

R[edit]

Russafeld 
Dread Temple (alternatively 'Scarlet Shrine' in dialects)[30]

T[edit]

Tamriel 
Dawn's Beauty[31]

U[edit]

Udhendra Nibenu 
Father of the Niben[4]

V[edit]

Varla Stone 
Star Stone[32]

W[edit]

Welkynd Stone 
Sky Stone, Heaven Stone (literally 'Sky Child')[32]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kagrenac's PlanbookKagrenac
  2. ^ a b Telvanni Alchemy Station codex entry by Amalien in ESO
  3. ^ Ulliceta gra-Kogg in ESO: Summerset
  4. ^ a b c d Father Of The NibenFlorin Jaliil
  5. ^ On OblivionMorian Zenas
  6. ^ a b c d e f Generic dialogue regarding Aldmeris in Morrowind
  7. ^ a b Aba-Loria loading screen in ESO
  8. ^ a b Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: The Wild RegionsImperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
  9. ^ Aldmeri Sheet Music contraband description in ESO
  10. ^ High Elf Songbook contraband description in ESO
  11. ^ a b Hasphat Antabolis' dialogue in Morrowind
  12. ^ House Tamrith Official Seal codex entry by Verita Numdia in ESO
  13. ^ a b Before the Ages of ManAicantar of Shimerene
  14. ^ a b Aedra and Daedra
  15. ^ Mysterious Akavir
  16. ^ Music Box, Blessings of Stone codex entry by Amalien in ESO
  17. ^ a b Our Dunmer HeritageOathman-Applicant Mornsu Baram, in service of House Redoran, 330th year of the Second Era
  18. ^ a b c d e The Annotated Anuad
  19. ^ Generic dialogue regarding Chimer in Morrowind
  20. ^ The Beast of GalenPhrastus of Elinhir
  21. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: HammerfellImperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
  22. ^ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Prima Official Game Guide — David Hodgson
  23. ^ Urag gro-Shub's dialogue in Skyrim
  24. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: The Ra Gada: HammerfellImperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
  25. ^ The Monomyth
  26. ^ Ilayas Ruins loading screen in ESO
  27. ^ Who Are the Sea Elves? — an unknown Breton child
  28. ^ Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: PrologueImperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
  29. ^ The True Nature of Orcs
  30. ^ Red Temple Catacombs loading screen in ESO: Summerset
  31. ^ French version of Arena's Manual Intro Story
  32. ^ a b Magic from the SkyIrlav Jarol

Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.