Tribal Tongues – Languages of Carn – Morgaine Falhart

Welcome to the next update!

It’s from my WIP novel “Ice Queen” (tentative title) which follows protagonist Morgaine Falhart.

This novel has been on my mind lately and I’m currently revising some things. Perhaps an update will help get me on the right path. This time we will take a look at the languages spoken in Carn, the Northern Vilden territory in which Morgaine’s village, Ivres, is located.

Common Tongue

Depending on where you are from in this world, the people of Carn are considered “barbarians” or
“uncivilized,” despite this, Carnish folk speak a multitude of languages, including the most common among the people of Vilden–Vildish.

When the first settlers arrived on ancient Vilden, called Vilderrun then, they brought with them their Vildish language. This language is the lingo facto in many major Vilden kingdoms and is a common speech that even the tribesfolk of Carn know.

Vildish is an easy language that spread fast. Knowing Vildish was necessary to trade with foreign lands, as they too, speak Vildish. Though this language spread fast, most tribes in Carn remain fluent in their own native tongue and usually know more than 3 languages.

Vildish is used by Carnish folk who may not assume the others can speak their specific language. Vildish is also spoken with “cityfolk” or those they may consider an outsider. Overall, Vildish can be a diplomatic language or an insult!

Tribal Languages

Carn is a land filled with many different races and tribes who may speak their own specific language. Though like Vildish, there are certain tribal tongues that have been adopted by many and some very commonly used due to the conquering and fighting of older war tribes.

Below focuses on some of the more popular languages and as well as Morgaine’s tribal language and their rivaling tribe, the Treives.

Common Tribal Speech

Kaitaash

The war tribe of Ivres traditionally speak Kaitaash, meaning “clash sound” or “metal sound.” This language came from the Heirran-Bolg war states where on the Heirran side, Kaitaash was the lingo facto.

Because of the vast influence these ancient war states had, not just Ivrrans speak Kaitaash. Many tribes that had once been conquered, fought against or came into contact with Heirran warmen, learned to speak Kaitaash. Like Vildish, it was a language that spread quickly due to the large Heirran territory.

Many tribes close to Ivres, like their Trieve rivals, speak Kaitaash along with their specific tribal tongue.

Bolgonese

Just as ancient as Kaitaash, is the Bolgonese language, adapted from the ancient Bolg side of the Heirran-Bolg war states. Bolgonese is as common as hearing Kaitaash and in speaking is very similar. To understand better, it would be like comparing Spanish to Portuguese.

Lesser war tribes like the Motu and the ex-war tribe Bo’bark speak Bolgonese as their primary language but are also fluent in Kaitaash.

Eenka

A language from the ancient Eenkaree, still living but considered a “dead tribe.” Their language was passed on to many tribes as they were very adept at elemental magick and were once a formidable tribe. They had a heavy influence on the land. Tribes like the Kyhaites speak Eenka as their main language but bigger tribes, including the Treives, speak the magical Eenka language as well. If one doesn’t know Kaitaash or Bolgonese, a Carnish person would use Eenka next.

Eenka itself is not magical but it is said this language allows easier conjuring of the elemental sprites, demons and gods.

Tribe Specific (Less Common)

Trelvish

Trelvish is the tribal language of the Trieves. It is closely realted to Treipo, the speech of the tree folk, and like its cousin language, is said to be derived from the language used by the Goddess of the Hunt and her woodland children.

Although less common, Trelvish spoken by tribes with closer ties to nature or the forest. Some Ivrrans also speak Trelvish and lesser tribal languages

Sulri

Meaning “Mix” is a somewhat common Eenka, Bolgonese, and Trelvish mix. Like Creole, it is a mix of multiple languages and sometimes, mixed with lesser tribal tongues to create different Sulri dialects.

Inhuman Speech

There are mortal beings who are not Human. Two of the most commonly encountered in the Northern Carn area are the Wulfven and the Cats.

The Wulven packs speak Wuf, a language not easy to grasp but often spoken by Lycani (Wulven raised Humans.)

Cat prides/pards speak various forms of Purrsian. Like Wuf, it is complex and not often learned by humans.

Bonus: Ivrran Phrases (In Kaitaash)

“Vas kan ulo’bratis”

One of the most common Ivrran sayings. it is a parting phrase that means “to battle we go”. As a parting, it is used to convey good wishes for another, that they be successful in battle and that strength and wisdom shall be imparted unto them. It may also imply that it may be the last time they see their comrade, as they could fall in battle.

The shortened, informal version is simply: “Vas kan.”

“Ke vaasi na bratis, rakkmo na ferum”

An old Ivrran saying. “To win the battle, you must take up the sword.” Lit: [to win the battle, take the sword]

This saying is used when a warrior wants to emphasis the necessity of something. No battle was ever one without the sword, to get somewhere, one must try their hardest, even if it means fighting to the bitter end.

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