Orcish (language)

Orcish is the primary language of the orcs. It is used as the main language of the Horde.
The main form of the Orcish language used by all orc tribes on Draenor was known as common Orcish.Rise of the Horde, pg. 40 Separate clans had variations of dialect that differed so much that orcs could not understand each other unless they spoke the common tongue.Rise of the Horde, pg. 21 There was an older, archaic version of Orcish that few but the highly educated, such as the shaman and the clan chieftains, knew.Rise of the Horde, chapter 19
Written using runes, Orcish is regarded by non-speakers as an ugly, guttural language.Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, chapter 27Elegy, pg. 64 Jaina Proudmoore is able to differentiate between pictographs from an old version of the orc language.Cycle of Hatred, chapter 3
==Orcish primer==
===Official translations===
Here are a few common orcish phrases and words, for which the translations have been officially confirmed by Blizzard:
* Aka'MagoshWeed Whacker (quest)Mogrin#Quotes (or Aka'magoshAka'magosh) = A blessing on you and yours.Warchief's Emissary
* Bin mog g'thazag cha = I will protect you.Lord of the Clans, pg. 138
* Dae'mon = Archaic word meaning "Twisted soul" or "demon";Sean Copeland on Twitter (2013-03-18) Dead link appears to be used in the same way as Man'ari in Draenei.
* Dra'gora = Draenor's Honor.Weapon in Hand
* Dranosh = Heart of Draenor.Deathbringer Saurfang#Quotes
* Garrosh = Warrior's Heart.Micky Neilson on Twitter: ""Warrior's Heart" is the official ruling."Sean Copeland on Twitter When used as a proper noun, refers to Garrosh Hellscream.
* Gol'Kosh! = By my axe! An exclamation.Bloodsworn, pg. 105
* Gor'krosh = The Long Knives.The Long KnivesTracking a Killer
* Grombolar = Bowels of the giant.Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Orc Buildings, Temple of the Damned
* Grommash = giant's heart,Monument to Grom HellscreamSean Copeland on Twitter or The Giant's Heart.Honoring a Hero (Horde) When used as a proper noun, refers to Grommash Hellscream.
* Kagh! = Run!
* Lohn'goron = Hero's sojourn.Lohn'goron, Bow of the Torn-heart
* Lok-Narash! = "To arms!"A Good War, pg. 59 or "Arm yourselves!"Flavor text of Lok-Narash spell
* Lok-Regar = Ready for orders.Flavor text of Lok-Regar spell
* Lok-tar! = Victory! (A war cry. Also a greeting while in combat.)
** Despite it being seen with apostrophe (game) and a hyphen (publications), the hyphen is the canonical spelling of "Lok-tar!"Sean Copeland on Twitter Dead link
* Lok-tar ogar! = Victory or death! (A war cry.)The Battle For The Undercity (Alliance), "The orcs have a battle cry: LOK'TAR OGAR! It means "victory or death."
* Lok'amon = Traditional orcish song sung about starting a family.Cycle of Hatred, pg. 34
* Lok'osh = A "song of the heart" or "song of the spirit".Lok'osh Nakha quotes
* Lok'tra = Traditional orcish song sung about a battle.
* Lok'vadnod = Traditional orcish song sung about the life of a hero.
* Mag'har = Uncorrupted.Beyond the Dark Portal, pg. 355 Used to describe any non-corrupted orcs.
* Mak'gora = Duel of honor.Archive lore tweets from loreology
* Mak'Rogahn (or mak'rogahn) = Duel of will.Hellscream
* Mok-thorin ka! = Engage the enemy!Loreology on Twitter Dead link Said by Commander Kolurg.
* Nagrand = Land of Winds.Draka (alternate universe)#Quotes
* Nelghor = Loyal beasts. The Dragonmaw clan fondly referred to their rylak mounts as nelghor, and it would later apply the same word to the dragons of Azeroth. All orcs would eventually refer to dragons as nelghor.
* Nelghor-shomash = Cry of the Beasts. Orcish name for the Dragonmaw clan.
* No'ku kil zil'nok ha tar - Spoken by Varok Saurfang when retrieving the body of his son (only seen by Alliance players). Translates to "Blood and thunder, my son."
* Om'gora = Rite of honor.A People in Need of Healing
* Oshu'gun = Mountain of Spirits.
* Ur'goraAfterlives: Maldraxxus = "Not-honor". Considered the worst possible insult an orc can use.
* Wor'gol = Wolf Home.Back to Bladespire CitadelSave Wolf Home
* Zug-zug or Zug zug = Acknowledgment and agreement; roughly the equivalent of okay.
===Untranslated words or phrases===
===In-game parser===
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.
Number of letters in word	Word List
One-letter words 	A, N, G, O, L
Two-letter words 	Ha, Ko, No, Mu, Ag, Ka, Gi, Il
Three-letter words 	Lok, Tar, Kaz, Ruk, Kek, Mog, Zug, Gul, Nuk, Aaz, Kil, Ogg
Four-letter words 	Rega, Nogu, Tago, Uruk, Kagg, Zaga, Grom, Ogar, Gesh, Thok, Dogg, Maka, Maza
Five-letter words 	Regas, Nogah, Kazum, Magan, No'bu, Golar, Throm, Zugas, Re'ka, No'ku, Ro'th
Six-letter words 	Thrakk, Revash, Nakazz, Moguna, No'gor, Goth'a, Raznos, Ogerin, Gezzno, Thukad, Makogg, Aaz'no
Seven-letter words 	Lok'Tar, Gul'rok, Kazreth, Tov'osh, Zil'Nok, Rath'is, Kil'azi
Eight-letter words 	Throm'ka, Osh'Kava, Gul'nath, Kog'zela, Ragath'a, Zuggossh, Moth'aga
Nine-letter words 	Tov'nokaz, Osh'kazil, No'throma, Gesh'nuka, Lok'mogul, Lok'bolar, Ruk'ka'ha
Ten-letter words 	Regasnogah, Kazum'nobu, Throm'bola, Gesh'zugas, Maza'rotha, Ogerin'naz
Eleven-letter words 	Thrakk'reva, Kaz'goth'no, No'gor'goth, Kil'azi'aga, Zug-zug'ama, Maza'thrakk
Twelve-letter words 	Lokando'nash, Ul'gammathar, Golgonnashar, Dalggo'mazah
Thirteen-letter words 	Khaz'rogg'ahn, Moth'kazoroth
==Orcish / Common dictionary==
The following appear in the "Orcish / Common Dictionary" found in eastern Dalaran.
*BUR - An aggressively passionate mating call.
*What can I do fer ye? - Beer sold here.
*Hi - A threatening war cry, especially when accompanied by a wave or bow.
*How are you? - Was your mother really a reptile?
*King's Honor, friend! - I'm starving!
==Naming==
===Character creation screen===
The following names are offered as suggestions when creating characters on the character creation screen. Note that this list represents a sample of the many possible suggestions. 
;Male names: 
* Wark, Drukasao, Guntojakh, Iroggalnn, Tuknazit, Volindai, Igond, Rogrelg, Umaghavikor, Fengam, So, Domron, Zurosao, Lugrenga, Zugrish, Dosamm, Tsubai, Wagtaggall, Naakigg, Eckh, Emontuugg, Cromga, Fusatkuulk, Rogrettsuo, Kalligg, Wogruugar, Akuugg, Kagar, Akubaim, Kashugrexx, Gilligoarusk, Relcozomrak, Daggarn, Dramworn, Macksh, Tusontarish, Rhog, Drarduglok, Fenrim, Rashomro, Cheruknai, Googg, Mazumorr, Chantsuya, Kazit, Sikkall, Dengamm, Nagtar, Skrishtargh, Nakin, Herst, Pikasand, Ugakusel, Kagrim, Gaidom, Fashtar, Rendomiku, Rog, Watsuyagarg, Fusath, Nekk, Tramm, Figgo, Domdaggo, Koichark, Crongaragho, Gungoress, Oso, Phavikazra, Irogaidos, Sokramm, Figall, Zurungo, Emurigore, Fashtalekthr, Chul, Tulmokthar, Nardamesh, Korelskrim, Figgalekk, Nathatsu, Nagg, Molo, Waghurp, Maulnargon, Pyagatku, Emurund, Wit, Kafgantand, On, Songamu, Lhavik, Thariak, Hungar, Drelcozsh, Draggo, Zumongorg, Nekiron.
;Female names: 
*Bokrem, Fuda, Garainekago, Lopiatsukas, Hallarii, Saroogai, Hargai, Maiki, Togrytasaku, Hatamaris, Garunn, Ferunah, Irgraka, Reldaqi, Corvisaki, Roldiko, Daqi, Drunndrukona, Opakhamga, Gelagallopia, Liritsua, Geermani, Tokimao, Ezarn, Arteta, Nodosar, Mannah, Riimishtasa, Rokargara, Uragosaka, Tishtalvana, Pla, Rekrakka, Tabitaska, Akiria, Dous, Seergrutalla, Uragdalka, Khaku, Womdalle, Akonnaya, Morakinka, Akasaaja, Dosa, Reta, Nangrii, Roldala, Ritheddalka, Kritasu, Doora, Eonamah, Tiki, Grytas, Skkagai, Mirshaqi, Seerman, Wyeghakask, Lirgronnanya, Eonamanaka, Nodooskasan, Tishargryta, Arooska, Khalvanagna, Kinani, Okagark, Giskka, Atsuka, Tinekretanya, Rekrannda, In, Grytamikirga, Heg, Ferunaki, Gellaayu, Eonnakha, Ritsukah, Drakkaskaya, Flikorvisa.
==Warcraft II==
In the Warcraft II cinematics, orcs randomly say words in orcish like "Moka", "titoo", "glode". These words, however, have never been heard in another Blizzard game and have never been translated.
==Film universe==
*The orcish word wachook is used by to describe as she gives birth, shortly after passing through the . The term roughly translates as "female incapacitated by pregnancy".
*Garona means cursed.
File:Warcraft-Film-Orcish-Runes.jpg|Film concept art of orcish runes, by Wei Wang.
File:Behind the Dark Portal - Orcish symbols and their meanings.jpg|Orcish runes with their meanings.
==In the RPG==
Orcish (or Orc) is a coarser language than Common, and many words lack the subtlety of Common. Orcs rely on context, repetition and volume to add emphasis or meaning.Horde Player's Guide, pg. 134 There are many orc dialects, examples include one spoken by the majority of the Horde, and another by orcs living near Durnholde.Lands of Conflict, pg. 27
Orcish is written using a combination of Common alphabet and runes.
===Translations===
* Dabu = I obey.
* Mok'nathal = The Sons of Nath. (Honorable title.)Horde Player's Guide, pg. 156
* Swobu = As you command. 
* Throm-Ka = Well met. (A greeting.)
* Trk'hsk = Bloodshed in battle. (Some orcs in the Durnholde area use the word with a different meaning, namely "that sacrificed to the earth" in order to make crops grow.)
===Orc 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.World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 46 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 tribe 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.Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 50 
*Male Names: Grom, Thrum, Drog, Gorrum, Harg, Thurg, Karg.
*Female Names: Groma, Hargu, Igrim, Agra, Dragga, Grima.
*Family Names: Doomhammer, Deadeye, Forebinder, Elfkiller, Skullsplitter, Axeripper, Tearshorn, Fistcrusher.
==Speculation==
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). 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 a 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.
===Word speculation===
* Grom'gol - Horde camp in Stranglethorn Vale. - Grom being an honor to Grom Hellscream (as well as an Orcish word for "giant"), and Gol probably (based on defined terms in primer) means "By my" or "Axe" so it could be speculated to mean "Grom's Axe", "Giant's Axe", "By Grom" and others.
* "Hall" - Used in the salutation "Thrall Hall!", probably means "honor" or something similar. Theory #2: It has no specific definition in the orcish language, it is instead used as a multi-purpose word that means glory to the horde/leader (Glory through their leader). The only reason it is Thrall Hall is because it flows naturally and is easy to say/remember (Kind of like why we use nicknames), compare the use of Thrall Hall! to Thrall Honor! or Thrall Hail!
*Kek = Lol
**When a Horde character says "lol" in Orcish, it displays as "kek" to Alliance characters. Since "lol" is used quite often in the game by many players this translation has become widely known, and many fans have accepted "kek" as kind of an official translation of "lol" into Orcish.
::However, there are many other 3-letter combinations that produce the translation "kek", and "lol" isn't really a word in the English language, anyway.
* Grommash has been officially translated as Giant's Heart. Grombolar has been officially translated as Bowels of the Giant. Dranosh and Garrosh have been officially translated as Heart of Draenor and Warrior's Heart, respectively. Thus, it can be assumed that "Grom" means giant, "Bolar" means bowels, and both "(M)ash" and "Osh" mean heart.
** Grom = "Giant"
** Bolar = "Bowels"
** (M)ash or Osh = "Heart"
* "Mar" is a common ending to orcish cities (such as Orgrimmar or Hordemar City). It could be translated to "city of" or "the city" (Using examples from before, Orgrimmar would be City of Orgrim or The city Orgrim, whilst Hordemar would be City of Horde, City of the Horde of The city of the Horde.
*"Lok-Regar Ogull, On-Dabu." - Spoken by a unit in an RTS game, possibly means "Ready for orders."
===Other speculation===
"Orc" as a term defining language, has an apparent connection to DnD derived generic languages, which apparently can be found in DnD rule books.
To a degree, phonetically some of the words resemble Tolkien's Black Speech, which makes sense since that language was presumably the foundational influence for the sound of this one. It is, however, generally somewhat less guttural and (to use Tolkien's own adjective for the Black Speech) uncouth.
It also doesn't seem to really be an actual language as such; Blizzard apparently originally invented a few words with an "Orcish" sound to use as acknowledgment phrases when units were clicked on in the earlier Warcraft games, and thus to create consistency, these words were brought over to WoW. The translated vocabulary, however, is not large, and there is no real formal grammar. The "Orcish" that can be seen apparently being spoken by players in-game is the result of a hash table created by Blizzard, (as mentioned above) and the words produced by it are intentionally meaningless gibberish.
The examples of Orcish we've seen indicate what the phonetic inventory of the language might include, but we have nearly no evidence of the structure of the syntax or grammar. It may be possible to assume that adjectives come before nouns, as in English and other Germanic languages. As seen in the primer above, "Grommash" translates to "giant's heart". Thus we might say that "grom" (giant's) is an adjective modifying "mash" (heart). The word "Grombolar," meaning "bowels of the giant", seems to follow this pattern as well. Of course, if this is actually a possessive clause, or a compound word, then the speculation that Orcish follows an adjective-noun word order could be erroneous.
==Notes==
*The first time Khadgar heard the orcish language, it was unfamiliar to him, and both guttural and blasphemous to his ears.The Last Guardian, chapter 4
*When Khadgar asked Garona about her representatives, she gave him three made-up names; Gizblah the Mighty, Morgax the Gray, and Hikapik the Bloodrender.The Last Guardian, pg. 208 These can be viewed as orcish names.
==Gallery==
File:The Tomb of Sargeras - Orcish Runes.jpg|Gul'dan's Orcish Runes in the Tomb of Sargeras, as depicted in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.
File:Orcish Rune.png|One of Gul'dan's Orcish Runes, as depicted in World of Warcraft.
File:Eastern Tribal Stone.jpg| glyphs on a Tribal Stone in the Burial Fields.
File:Anguish Fortress floaty rock.jpg|Shadowmoon glyphs on a floating stone in Anguish Fortress.
File:Warsong runestone.jpg| glyphs on a monument outside Mok'gol Watchpost.
==References==
==External links==
Category:Game terms
Category:Languages
Category:Orcs
es:Orco (idioma)
it:Orchesco (lingua)