Lore:Nordic

The UESPWiki – Your source for The Elder Scrolls since 1995
Jump to: navigation, search

Nordic was the language spoken by the Nords.[1] It is sometimes referred to as the northern tongue, referring to Skyrim.[2]:22 The Nordic god Jhunal is considered the father of languages.[3]

Nordic first saw use in the Late Merethic Era.[4][5] It was considered an old tongue by Second Era,[6] but saw limited use into even the Fourth.[2]:22 Next to nothing was known of Atmoran by the Second Era, with instances of the language being increasingly hard to find.[7]

Language Family and Genetic Relationship[edit]

The original Atmoran tongue likely descended from Ehlnofex, with both tongues using the term Talos,[8] and was entirely oral, bearing no written form until the Late Merethic Era. Ysgramor, the first human historian, created the runic alphabet of Atmoran speech using the principles of Elvish.[1][7] When the Dragon Cult established its firm grip and dominion over Skyrim, Dragon-tongue became the dominant language. Use of the tongue was regulated by the ruling Dragon Priests, who prevented the usage of certain words.[4] Nords copied the Dragon alphabet after watching the Dragons themselves carve the runes with their claws. They used this script for works of importance, such as burials,[9] but used a lettering system, colloquially referred to as ancient Nord, for other, common purposes.[10][11][12] Nordic likely descends from the Atmoran tongue, with the two languages sharing some words.[8][13] It developed around the same time as the ancient Nord variation of Dragon-tongue, as words for Dragon from both languages were used around the same time.[4]

Nordic Dictionary[edit]

Bare-sarks 
the Bare-Chested, Berserkers[14]
Dalk 
Knife[2]:22
Dov-rha 
Dragon[5]
Dunmereth 
Land of the Dunmer[15]
Manmeri 
Half-Elves, Bretons[16]
Merethic 
Era of the Elves[1]
Reaver 
Bandit[17]
Skald 
Bard[6]
Talos 
Stormcrown[13]
Ysmir 
Dragon of the North, King[8]

Atmoran Dictionary[edit]

Herma-Mora 
debated translation of 'Woodland Man' and 'That Which Speaks in the Wastes'[7]
Mereth 
Land of the Elves[18]
Talos 
Stormcrown[8]
Wittestadr 
debated translation of 'Whit's Daughter' and 'Wit Shatter'[19]
Windhelm 
City of Kings[20]
Wuuthrad 
Storm's Tears[21]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]