Orcish Orcish ( called Orc in the pre - WoW Warcraft RPG books ) is the primary language of the orc s and is used throughout the Horde faction . All Horde characters understand Orcish speech , even without explicit lore reasons ( such as the Forsaken and the blood elves ) . Orcish is written using a combination of Common alphabet and runes . Orcs rely on context , repetition and volume to add emphasis or meaning . There are many orc dialects , examples include one spoken by the majority of the Horde , and another by orcs living near Durnholde . Even separate tribes had variations of dialect that differed so much that orcs could not understand each other unless they spoke the common tongue . The main form of the Orcish language used by all the tribes is known as common Orcish . Orcish Primer ( official translations ) . Here are a few common orcish phrases and words , for which some of the translations have been officially confirmed by Blizzard : Orcish Names . Most orcish names derive from words in their language that have some complex meaning or hidden significance to their families . Typically , this is the name of a favorite thing or relative . Family names don ' t exist ; most orcs have last names related to some great deed of heroism or honor . However , in the case of truly incredible deeds , an orc might take on the last name of his father to ensure that the chronicle of that terrific deed lives on . The concept of honor is seen in every level of orc society , even in their naming practices . An orc ’ s first name is given early in life , often derived from a family name or the name of a great hero . The clan bestows the second name after the orc reaches maturity , this name based upon some great deed . Such a practice gives rise to surnames such as Doomhammer , Elfkicker , Foe - ender , Skullsplitter , Thumper , and the like . This second name may be changed if a new one seems more appropriate . Note that many orc locations are directly named for prominent orc s , including Bladefist Bay , Durotar , Garadar , Grommash Hold , Kargath , Kargathia Keep , Orgrimmar , and Thrallmar . Further , it can be noted that - ar or - mar seems to be a frequent suffix to denote a place named for another orc . Orcish / Common Dictionary . The following appear in the found in eastern Dalaran . Sample words or phrases ( speculation ) . This is the list of words created by the in - game language parser for the Orcish language , and is listed as language number one ( word range 1 - 100 ) in the Language text file . Note : The language algorithm used by the in - game " translator " merely makes the words " look " like Orcish . It does not actually translate words . Therefore , translated in - game speech isn ' t true Orcish . Some more Orcish phrases ( speculation ) . Although no official translations have been released for them , here are some more Orcish phrases and their rough meanings based on the actions of the units in the RTS games when they say them : In Battle for the Undercity : Naming . Orcish surnames are usually derived from great acts or merits a previous ancestor was lauded for , but some exceptional orcs earn their own surnames ( Kilrogg Deadeye , Kargath Bladefist ) , and many prefer to use the names of their fathers ( Thrall , Son of Durotan ) . Only the family leader can hold an eponymous title ( For example , there can only be one Doomhammer or Deadeye at a time ) , and the rest of the clan identify themselves through their line of birth . Two types of orc names appear to have arisen : two syllables separated by an apostrophe and a simple name shortened from a longer one . The two - syllable ones - Gul ' dan , Drak ' Thul , Dal ' Rend - appear to have initially been only used for spellcaster , but was later exported ( Gar ' Thok was a Grunt colonel ) . The second type was highly cultural ; only those with powers over the warrior could use their full name , such as Shamans and chieftains , or the orc ' s personal religious leader . For example Brox ' s full name was Broxigar , a term which he allowed only Tyrande and Krasus to use . Grom Hellscream ' s full name was Grommash , which Mannoroth used to address him as demonstration that Hellscream was his . This is very inconsistent , however , most of the known orcish names ( such as Durotan , Orgrim , Nazgrel , Kargath ) are never documented being used in short forms . Warcraft 2 . In the warcraft 2 cinematics , orcs randomly says words in orcish like " Moka " , " titoo " , " glode " . These words , however , have never been heard in another blizzard game or translated .