Lore:High Elvish

High Elvish (alternatively High Elven or Elvish) is the language used by the High Elves of the Summerset Isles. It is descended from Old Elvish, and as such is very similar to its relatives like Ayleidoon, Ald Chimeris or the Falmer language. For the longest time, High Elven was the common language used in all legal documentation until it was later replaced by Tamrielic in 1E 2813. The common tongue of the empire, Cyrodilic, is based on the Altmer's speech and writing. To date, there are no known texts written in this language, but some words are known.

Even though Falkreath and its hold are predominantly Nordic throughout history, its name is of elvish origin.

Pronunciation

In Elvish there is no soft "c", so when a word begins with "Ce" or "Ci" it is pronounced with a /k/ sound. For example "Cey-Tarn Keep" is pronounced like "Kay-Tarn Keep". Similarly, the letter G is always pronounced /ɡ/, never /dʒ/.

Words and Phrases

A

Abameld

Adma'na 

Poor listener (cf. Ayleidoon "adma"—"hear")

Admanen 

Listening eye

Aednavorith 

Genealogy

Aedra

Ancestors

Alaxon 

Perfection

Aprax

Outcast, criminal

Ald Mora 

A ruin on Summerset Isle; the name means "old forest" in other Elven languages

Aldveyond Beldaburk 

An old name for Sea Keep

Apraxic 

Social outcast

Apraxis 

Exile

Arcta 

Likely means "acknowledge", as in Ayleidoon

Autak

Autameld

B

Barra 

Welcome

C

Calian 

A praxic talisman, a symbol of a person's membership in the civilized High Elf society

Canvaroth 

Scout

Cerum, Ceruval 

Unknown, but known usage suggests a polite way to address someone (like "sir" or "madam"); both terms appear to have no gender-specific use

D

Daedra

Roughly means "Not our ancestors"

De'nt 

Unknown; usage suggests some form of an insult

E

"Eluvein" written in the Altmer script

Eluvein 

Another name for the hilas owl, which abandons its eggs after laying them. The term is also used to describe someone who is cold-hearted or aloof

Ephem 

Non-Altmer, outsider

Eyevea 

Sanctuary

G

Glamoril

Secret of Life

Glan'nt 

Unknown; usage suggests some form of an insult

Graxifalas 

Disgraceful

H

Halsoriel 

Sewer

Hulkynd 

Broken child; refers to Altmeri children abandoned by their parents because of their imperfection, such as physical deformity (cf. Ayleidoon "kynd"—"child")

K

Kamlehal 

Shrieking terror

Kynd 

Child

N

Nagaia 

Likely means "death", as in Ayleidoon

Naganwe 

Unknown; used in the translingual word "revelator-naganwe", meaning "death seer"

Nebarra 

Unwelcome (also used as a pejorative reference to outsiders)

O

Oegnithir 

Bad change

R

Riasen 

A critical witness in a criminal investigation

Russafeld 

Scarlet shrine

S

Shauta 

Likely means "come", as in Ayleidoon

Slek 

An interjection (seemingly expresses negative emotions), an insult

T

Tamriel

Dawn's Beauty

Tor-Hame-Khard 

Warlord's Mountain Lair (cf. Ayleidoon "tor"—"hill", "hame"—"home")

V

Vey 

Likely means "to" (indicating movement), as in Ayleidoon

Veyond Wyte

W

Welkynar 

The gryphon-riding protectors of Cloudrest; likely related to Ayleidoon "wel"—"sky"

References

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.