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

UsageEdit

The Dwemer wrote many of their documents in Aldmeris.[9] Until High Rock joined the Alessian Empire, Breton nobility used Aldmeris to signify pride in their Elven origins.[10] 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.[4]

Language Family and Genetic RelationshipEdit

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.[4] These offshoot tongues maintain a close resemblance to Aldmeris.[9] 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'.[4][UOL 2] When creating a runic transcription of the oral Atmoran tongue, Ysgramor used the principles of Aldmeris.[11]

Aldmeris DictionaryEdit

AEdit

Aba-Loria 
Forbidden Darkness[5]
Aedra 
roughly 'Our Ancestors'[12]
Akavir 
Dragon Land[13]
Ald 
Old, Ancient, Elderly[UOL 2]
Aldmer 
First Folk, Elder Folk[14][15]
Altmer 
High Elves, Elder Ones, High Ones[16]
Altmora 
Elder Wood[11]

BEdit

Bosmer 
Wood Elves, Green Ones, Forest Ones[16]

CEdit

Chimer 
Changed Ones (archaically and poetically 'People of the North')[16][17]
Chimera 
Change[18]

DEdit

Daedra 
roughly 'Not Our Ancestors'[12]
Dunmer 
Dark Elves, Cursed Ones, Dark Ones[16]
Dwemer 
Deep Elves (alternatively 'Smart Elves' according to Dlyxexic theory)[19]

FEdit

Falkreath[20]:574

GEdit

Glamoril 
Secret of Life[21]

HEdit

Hegathe 
roughly 'Deathland'[22]

LEdit

Lorkhan 
Doom Drum[23]

MEdit

Maormer 
Sea Elves[24][25]
Mer 
Folk,[15] People, Ones;[16] commonly, Elves[4] or Elf[26]
Mora 
Forest[UOL 2]

OEdit

Orsimer 
Cursed Folk, Pariah Folk[3][27][4]
Orsinium 
Orc-Town[6]

REdit

Russafeld 
Dread Temple (alternatively 'Scarlet Shrine' in dialects)[28]

TEdit

Tamriel 
Dawn's Beauty[29]

UEdit

Udhendra Nibenu 
Father of the Niben[3]

VEdit

Varla Stone 
Star Stone[30]

WEdit

Welkynd Stone 
Sky Stone, Heaven Stone (literally 'Sky Child')[30]

ReferencesEdit

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