Word Wall Word Walls are unmarked locations found in . History . There is considerable mystery surrounding the ominous Word Walls dotted all across Skyrim . The ancient carvings etched into the stone are believed to be words in the Dragon Language , for the characters of that language very much resemble claw marks or scratches . It is believed that these walls were constructed by the ancient Nord s who lived in the time of the Dragons . Either out of fear or respect , they somehow learned the language of the ancient beasts so they could use it for their own ends . Purpose . The translations themselves all appear to follow a similar theme , repeating the words " " Here lies . . . " " This suggests that the walls marked ancient Nord burial grounds or marked the grave of an important figure . During the events of , the true power of the Word Walls are revealed . Not only did they mark burial grounds , but existed to teach a Word of Power to those with the ability to learn . Interactions . When the Dragonborn locates a Word Wall , they have the ability to read the ancient carvings . Reading a wall will highlight a particular word in the paragraph - a Word of Power . Once a Word of Power has been learned from a wall , a Dragon Soul is required to unlock it and turn it into a Dragon Shout . Most Word Walls ( with the exception of the Shearpoint Word Wall ) only reveal one Word of Power . In order to learn a complete shout , the Dragonborn is required to learn all three words of a shout . When in close proximity to a Word Wall , Nordic music and chanting can be heard and will increase in volume the closer the Dragonborn gets to it . Word Walls , whether inside Nordic tombs , Dragon Lairs or the like , should not be approached lightly , as they are nearly always guarded , with Dragons , Draugr and even Dragon Priest . Some word walls , such as Shearpoint , Arcwind Point and Saering ' s Watch , are particularly formidable , guarded by a combination of a Dragon and Draugr , with Shearpoint , for example , guarded by a Dragon and the Dragon Priest Krosis . It should be noted that not all word walls are guarded by Dragons or the undead , for example Sunderstone Gorge is inhabited by levelled mages , whilst Dead Crone Rock and Lost Valley Redoubt are populated by Forsworn and Hagravens , all of which are formidable enemies . Dragon Script . The ancient carvings on Word Walls can vary , and are dependent upon what Words of Power the Dragonborn already knows at the time of the encounter with the wall . For example , if the Dragonborn were to learn the first Word of Power for Animal Allegiance from Ancient ' s Ascent , then the wall would display the first carving in the table below . However , if the Dragonborn was to learn the first word from Angarvunde , then the first carving would be displayed in " that " location instead . If the Dragonborn was to later visit Ancient ' s Ascent to learn the second word , the carving would be the second carving in the table as the first word has already been learned . Translations . The following are translations and locations of all known Word Walls found throughout Skyrim . It should be noted that some of the word walls require the Dragonborn to be on a quest to reach them .