Language of the Gargoyle

"Gargoyle" is an English corruption of gargl, the Gargoyles' name for themselves and their language. An informal word for gargl as the name of the Gargoyle language is "Gargish". Spoken Gargish is grammatically rather flexible. Distinctions between nouns, adjectives, and verbs are indicated by gestures and intonations. This flexibility is also apparent in the names of magic spells derived from Gargish phrases. "Vas Sanct Lor", for instance, is derived from the Gargish vas saengkt lor, but it is equally correct to say saengkt vas lor or even lor saengkt vas. Gargoyles tend to omit words they consider to be unnecessary complications, like pronouns, and they often speak in infinitives. While a Human attempting to speak Gargish might come up with something like í est ker í le vid ú prae, "I'm certain that I've seen you before", a Gargoyle would simply say ker le vid prae (or more idiomatically, ker prae vid le), "to be certain having seen before". With practice, it's possible to deduce the implied pronouns in a Gargoyle sentence, but it's not always easy.

Unlike spoken Gargish, the written language has no way to mark the intonations and gestures that make the speech intelligible, so there are suffixes that mark words as being verbs, nouns, or adjectives, and also indicate the tense and aspect of verbs. In many cases, these are words which are meaningful by themselves, such as the adjectival suffix -de, which means "of" in isolation. Here is a list of the most common suffixes:

-char "part" (names a tool used for doing a certain action, such as agrachar "weapon")

-de "of" (marks adjectives or adverbs formed from nouns, verbs, and other words)

-ku "with" (forms adjectives, such as mirku "watery")

-le "end" (marks past tense or perfective aspect of verbs)

-lem "one" (similar to English -er in baker, writer, miner, etc.)

-re "begin" (marks future tense of verbs)

-sa "able" (similar to English -able, ible)

-tas "quality" (marks abstract nouns, such as ámotas "love", vs. ámo "to love")

-te "in" (marks present tense or imperfective aspect of verbs)

-ve "like" (forms adjectives, such as misve "similar")

Names

Most gargoyles have names that describe their profession. Lensmaker (Lorrelinlem) is an example of that type of name. Other names are meaningful, like Behlem, the Just One. But many gargoyles, particularly the elite, have names which are meaningless in themselves, like Draxínusom. A number of these names are listed in the vocabulary.

Writing

Gargoyles have an alphabet of 30 characters, arranged in a 5x6 pattern. Similar sounds are grouped together by rows and columns. For instance, the first row, transcribed as p b m f v u, represents sounds that are produced with the lips, and the s ounds in the first column, p t ch kl k, are all voiceless stops. (The remaining rows are: t d n s z e, ch j ny sh zh i, kl gl nl hl l o, and k g ng h r a.) The letter u also serves to represent w at the beginning of a syllable when followed by a vowel. The sequence k-u is sometimes pronounced ku, as in kuante, but more frequently kw (traditionally transcribed as qu), as in quas. Three of the letters ( ny, nl, and hl) serve only to complete the chart, and are not found in contemporary spoken Gargish.

The Gargish language has long and short vowels. They are not normally distinguished in spelling, except where this would cause confusion. For example, uus means "up," but us means "diligence." In this document, long vowels are marked with an accent: us vs. úus, súm vs. summ.

Samples

Here are a few samples of Gargish sentences translated literally, then into more idiomatic English.

Teresta sit lem antende nóm.

place-that lie ones not-have-of name Here lie those that had no names.

Estatim i perle lorrel re inwíslor kódex ad quad.

that-time I used light-change begin make-know-light codex upon cube Then I used the lens to form an image of the Codex upon the cube.

Ánte esta terreg máníte múr anísh zen.

in that place-home living number strange creature In that land live many strange creatures.

A qua lemmúr wíste, an zen anku vol verde wís.

but what ones-number knowing, not creature not-with wing true-of knowledge. But as everyone knows, no creature without wings is truly intelligent.

Ánte kódex skríle prí ben esh ver res quí quae.

in codex written one well and true answer any problem Within the Codex is written the one right and true answer to any problem.

Anvolde lem ansa lók, esh anten skítas de volde lem.

not-wing-of ones not-can speak, and not-have know-ness of wing-of ones The wingless ones cannot speak, and lack the intelligence of the winged ones.

Tú rete ku klí axi: ún, or, esh us.

all beginning with three principle: control, passion, and diligence. All begins with the three principles: Control, Passion and Diligence.

Ita anai de axi vidúkte trak semde bentas, ord.

thus not-there-is of principle see-guiding toward seven-of well-quality, order Thus the absence of the principles points toward the seventh virtue, Order.

Vocabulary

a (a) but; yet

ad (ad) upon

ade (ade) however

a{o (aglo) armor

agra (ágra) attack; hit

ágra-char: weapon

ágra-char-in-lem: weaponsmith

ágra-lem: fighter; guard; warrior

ágra-tas: struggle

ah (áh) sixty-four

ai (ai) there is; there are

ai-re: there will be

ailem (áilem) matter; thing

áilem-de: solid

ak (ak) sharp

aki (aki) hawk

alb (alb) white

aksi (axi) principle

axi-múr: the three principles

ali (ali) (an)other

alt (alt) deep

am (am) honesty; honest

amo (ámo) love

ámo-lem: friend; loved one

an (an) negate; negative; not; none; no

an-ai: absence

an-áilem: nothing

an-ámo: hate; hatred

an-ámo-lem: enemy

an-bal-sil-fer: False Prophet

an-ben: sick; ill

an-ex: slave; enslave

an-ex-por: lock; locked; closed

an-flam: cold; douse; put out

an-húr: calm

an-in: destroy

an-jux: safe; untrap; remove danger

an-kad-sa: infallible

an-kal: banish

an-kans: famine

an-kred: discredit

an-ku: without

an-lor: dark; darkness

an-lor-tim: night

an-mání: hurt; harm

an-múr: few

an-múr-de: countless

an-nax: cure poison

an-nax-áilem: antidote

an-ord: chaos

an-ort: negate magic

an-por: still; motionless; stop; lock; rest

an-quas: real; reality

an-rel: static; constant; unchanging

an-sá: cannot

an-saengkt: unprotected; curse(d)

an-ten: lack

an-tim: never

an-vol-de: wingless

an-wís: foolish; unwise; forget

an-zen: inanimate

an-zú: awake; wake up, awaken

aniw (anísh) strange

anmanivas (anmánívas) Anmanivas (name)

ansikart (ansikart) Ansikart (name)

ante (ánte) enter; in; into; within

aper (apér) open

apér-ter: door; gate

apta (ápta) proper; correct

ápta-de: properly

arb (arb) bush; vegetation

arb-flam: forest fire

arc (arch) bow

arg (arg) silver

ari (arí) berserk

ark (ark) hide; keep (away)

art (art) master

atri (átri) hall

au (au) or

aud (aud) hear; listen; ear

aud-char: song

aur (aur) gold

aurvidlem (aurvidlem) Aurvidlem (name)

auks (aux) help

avatar (ávatar) Avatar

bal (bal) evil; bad; doom

bal-lem: Evil One

bal (bal) evil; bad; doom

bal-lem: Evil One

bal-sil: prophecy

bal-sil-fer: prophet

bal-zen: monster

beh (beh) justice

beh-de: proper

beh-lem: just one; judge

ben (ben) well

ben-de: properly; well

ben-fin: success

ben-in: craft

ben-in-áilem: artifact

ben-in-lem: goodscrafter

ben-in-tas: precision

ben-mon-tas: administration

ben-om-mání: prosperity

ben-tas: virtue

bet (bet) small

bet-lem: child

bet-ter-mír: well

bet-tim: young; new

bet-zen: insect

betra (betra) Betra (name)

bolew (bólesh) Bolesh (name)

brak (brák) arm

can (chan) allow

chan-por: admit

chan-por-tas: admittance

car (char) part

char-zen: member

daemon (dáemón) daemon

de (de) belong; possess; of; from; than; like

delsa (delsa) soft

des (des) reduce; lower; down

des-áilem: hail; meteor storm

des-de: below

des-in-tas: foundation; underpinning

des-lem: Gargoyle worker

des-por: descend

des-ter: valley

des-ter-múr: underworld

dig (dig) finger

dis (dis) apart; asunder

don (don) give; drop; yield

draksinusom

(draxínusom) Draxinusom (name)

duk (dúk) guide

dur (dur) for (period of time)

drak (drak) dragon

ek (ek) six

ekui (equi) horse

er (er) so

ew (esh) and

est (est) be; exist; is; are

esta (esta) that; those

esta-de: thereby; therewith

esta-tim: then

eks (ex) freedom; free; release

ex-por: open; unlocked

fel (fel) wrong

fel-tas: error

fel-wís: false; falsehood; lie; fable

feluka (felúka) Felucca (the moon)

fer (fer) bring; bear

fin (fin) end

firm (fírm) close; shut

flam (flam) flame; fire; heat

flam-tim: summer

fodus (fódus) Fodus (name)

for (for) strong

foranamo (foranámo) Foranamo (name)

forbrak (forbrák) Forbrak (name)

forlem (forlem) Forlem (name)

forskis (forskis) Forskis (name)

ful (ful) brown

gar{ (gargl) Gargoyle; Gargish

{or (glór) glory

grat (grat) thank(s)

grav (grav) energy; power

gres (gres) out; exit; way (out)

gres-por: exit; leave; go out; hatch; begone

harm (harm) harmony

hiuman (hiúman) human

horffe (horffé) Horffe (name)

hori (hori) gray

hur (húr) wind; air

i (í) I, me

ide (íde) my

ilem (ílem) we, us (he/she/they and I)

in (in) make; create; cause; form; become

in-bet: shrink; focus

in-des: reduce

in-ex: free; release

in-flam: ignite; burn

in-húr: blow

in-jux: threaten; endanger

in-korp: die; kill

in-lor: illuminate

in-mání: heal

in-mání-lem: healer

in-nax: poison (v)

in-ort: enchant

in-ten: maintain

in-por: go; come

in-por-dis: avert

in-saengkt: protect

in-vas: grow; enlarge

in-wís: learn; teach; study

in-wís-lók: interpret

in-wís-lor: create an image

in-zen: born; birth

in-zú: fall asleep

inforlem (inforlem) Inforlem (name)

init (init) begin

inmanilem (inmánílem) Inmanilem (name)

int (int) join

inuisloklem

(inwíslóklem) Inwisloklem (name)

ista (ista) this

ita (ita) thus; so

jur (júr) oath

juks (jux) danger; harm; damage

jux-ark: protect (from harm)

jux-wís: alert

kad (kad) fail; collapse

kah (kah) sacrifice

kah-mání-zen-de: sacrificial

kans (kans) use; consume; eat

kans-in-lem: foodmaker

kal (kal) summon; call; greet; hello; usher in

kal-ort: cast (a spell)

kas (kas) helm

kat (kat) fall

ker (ker) sure; certain

ker-de: to be sure; certainly

kir (kír) circle

qar (klár) bright

qau (klau) chamber

qep (klep) take; get; steal

klep-lem: thief; pirate

qi (klí) three

klí-tim: thrice

kodeks (kódex) book; codex

kor (kor) courage

korp (korp) death; dead

kred (kred) believe; think; consider

kredon (kred-don): entrust

krill (krill) Krill (name)

ku (ku) with

ku-ánte: within

ku-por: combine

kul (kul) knife

lai (lai) joy

lap (lap) stone; rock

laplem (laplem) Laplem (name)

le (le) end; action completed; could

le-in: achieve

le-in-tas: achievement

leg (leg) read

lem (lem) he, she, it, they; him, her, it, them; one; those

lem-de: his, her, its, their

lem-múr: everyone; those

len (len) gentle

len-tas: gentleness

librum (líbrum) librum

liy (ling) language

lok (lók) say; speak; tell

lók-de: talking

lor (lor) light

lor-rel: lens

lor-rel-in-lem: lensmaker

lor-tim: day; daytime

lum (lum) humility

lup (lup) wolf

mag (mag) important

man (mán) remain

mán-char: remains

mani (mání) life; healing; live

mání áilem: food

manu (mánu) hand

mar (mar) sea

mek (mek) sword

mek-lem: swordsman; fighter

mel (mel) black

min (min) less

mir (mír) water

mír-mání: healing potion

mír-sarp: sea serpent

mis (mis) same; too

mis-tas: balance

mis-tim: also

mis-ve: similar

mon (mon) to lead

mon-wís: advice

mont (mont) mountain

mu (mú) compassion

mul (mul) pride

mur (múr) number; multiple; group; many

múr-om: society

naks (nax) poison (n); poisonous

naksatilor

(naxátilor) Naxatilor (name)

naw (násh) Nash (name)

neb (neb) mist

nes (nes) require; must; has to

ni (ni) no; neither

nom (nóm) name

o (o) by

ok (ok) eight

ok-de: eighth

om (om) spirituality

om-de: sacred; holy

om-jux: desecrate

or (or) passion

orb (orb) moon

orb-lap: moonstone

orb-rel: phase of moon

ord (ord) order

ort (ort) magic

ort-lem: mage

ort-mír: magical potion

os (os) bone

ov (ov) egg

pa (pa) by

pal (pál) pale

par (par) equal

par-de: equally

ped (ped) foot

pen (pen) five

per (per) use; function

per-sa: valuable

pisk (pisk) fish

plu (plú) more; most

plú ben: better

por (por) move; movement; moving; bring

por-áilem: take; remove

por-char: leg

por-mír: stream; river

pos (pos) follow; after

pos-tim: future; will; shall

prae (prae) before; precede

prae-tim: past; was; ago

prae-tim-de: ancient

pri (prí) one; unity; first

prí-de: single

prí-in: unify

prí-lem: lord; king; ruler

prí-tas: singularity

kua (qua) what; which; as

qua-lem: who; some

qua-ter: where

qua-tim: when

qua-wís: why; because; reason

kuad (quad) cube

kuae (quae) problem

kuaeven (quaeven) Quaeven (name)

kuan (quan) Quan (name)

kuar (quar) four

kuas (quas) illusion; illusionary

quas-korp: fear; illusion of death

quas-zen: clone

quas-áilem: duplicate

kui (quí) any; anything

kuo (quó) how

ra (ra) valor

rap (rap) quick; urgent; now

rap-tim: quickly approaching; nigh

re (re) (in order) to; to begin; will; shall

re-in: begin

reg (reg) home

rel (rel) change; changing

rel-por: moongate; moongate travel

res (res) answer

reski (reskí) remember

rit (rit) ritual

rot (rót) turn

ru (rú) red

runeb (rúneb) Runeb (name)

sa (sá) can; able; may

sadis (sadis) pain; torture

sadis-túrn: dungeon

saeykt (saengkt) protection

saengkt-grav: force field

saengkt-lor: invisible; invisibility

sal (sal) spring (forth)

sarp (sarp) serpent; snake

sarp-an-zen-ex-lem: snakecharmer

sarp-arí-lem: berserker

sarpliy (sarpling) Sarpling (name)

sek (sek) two; both; second

sek-de: other

sel (sel) choose; select

sem (sem) seven

sem-de: seventh

semi (semi) half

sent (sent) feel; feeling

si (si) if; whether

sik (sik) dry

sil (sil) star; astrology; prediction

silamo (silámo) Silamo (name)

sini (síní) blue

sinvraal (sinvráal) Sin'Vraal (name)

sit (sit) lie; rest

ski (skí) know; knowledge; tell

skí-tas: intelligence; knowledge

skis (skis) cut; tear apart; separate

skri (skrí) write; writing

skrí-lem: writer

sku (sku) shield

sol (sol) only; but

son (son) sound

sum (súm) suppose

summ (summ) honor

sur (súr) sun

ta (ta) shoot

ta-re-por: boomerang
>

tablap (tablap) slab

tan (tan) touch

tas (tas) quality

te (-te) present tense of verbs; action in progress; in

te-in: continue

te-mání: survive

te-mání-tas: survival

te-per-tas: persistence

tem (tem) storm

ten (ten) have

ter (ter) place

ter-alt: interior; bowels (of earth)

ter-áilem: plane

ter-ánte: entrance; mouth (of cave)

ter-ark: hiding place

ter-esta: there

ter-flam: fireplace

ter-húr: sky

ter-init: original(ly)

ter-ista: here

ter-ista-por: come

ter-mír: lake

ter-múr: world

ter-ort: temple; shrine

ter-por: reach

ter-reg: land

ter-vas-arb: forest

ter-zú: bed

teregus (teregus) Teregus (name)

tim (tim) time; wait

tim-por: arrive; come

trak (trak) to; toward; for; unto

trak-por: pull; draw

trak-tas: direction

tramel (trámel) Trammel (the moon)

tri (trí) interesting

tu (tú) all

tú-tas: whole

tú-tim: always; forever

turn (túrn) cave

u (ú) you

ul (ul) final; last

ul-tim: ultimate

ulem (úlem) you (pl): you and they; "you-all"

um (um) shadow

un (ún) control

uy (ung) claw

urs (urs) bear

us (us) diligence

us-ágra-lem: troop-leader

us-arb-vas-lem: leader of farmers

uus (úus) increase; raise; up

úus-lem: Gargoyle leader

úus-por: ascend

vaglem (vaglem) wanderer

valkadew (válkadesh) Valkadesh (name)

vas (vas) great; big; long; ultimate

vas-áilem: everything

vas-an-ben: plague

vas-an-lor: eclipse

vas-arb: tree

vas-arg-sarp: silver serpent

vas-des: bottom

vas-korp-ágra: battle; war

vas-mír: ocean

vas-por-áilem: tremor

vas-quas: confusion

vas-tim: old; age; epoch; great time

vas-úus: top

vas-wís: (great) knowledge; (ultimate) wisdom

ve (ve) like; as

vel (vel) even

ven (ven) find

ver (ver) true; truth; right

ver-de: truly

ver-in-de: perfect

ver-vid: heed; respect

vers (vers) all right

vest (vest) search

vestas (vest-tas): quest

via (vía) path; course; road

vid (vid) see; look; view; eye

vid-lem: seer

vidúk (vid-dúk): point

vidúk-tas: sign

vir (vír) green

vír-mír: swamp

vit (vit) glass

vol (vol) fly; wing

vol-de: winged

vorteks (vórtex) vortex

ui (wí) we, us (you and I/me)

uide (wíde) our

uilem (wílem) we, us; all of us (you, they, and I)

uis (wís) know; knowledge; wise; wisdom; intelligent

wís-char: head

wís-de: wisely

wís-lem: scholar

wís-lor: see; vision; image

uislem (wíslem) Wislem (name)

uissur (wíssúr) Wis Sur (name)

zaw (zash) something; somewhat

zen (zen) creature; being; animal

zen-korp: undead; daemon

zen-múr: race; people

zen-tú: body

xel (zhel) iron

xen (zhen) family

zu (zú) sleep

zú-áilem: sleep dust

zú-tim: winter

Download the font

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