Dawi Lekar

## Dwarven Language

The Dwarven Language (Dawi Lekar in the language itself), is a language spoken by dwarves, traders, and most miners. It is written in a 30 letter alphabet called Lekrhun (aka, Rune-Words).

The language is guttural, and its grammatical system is often complex and hard for new learners to grasp.

## Grammatical Index

### Construction of a Word

A word in Dawi Leka is comprised of 2-4 parts. If the word requires more parts, the additional words are attached by hyphen.

The first part is the root word. The root word is usually 2-4 letters in length, occasionally longer. Root words by themselves technically mean nothing, as they require at least one suffix.

After this, suffixes are added to the root word to change its meaning. There can be between 1 and 3 suffixes added to a word to give it a meaning.

Let us take the root word Daw, meaning 'dwarf' as a root word. That does not mean that Daw itself means 'a dwarf' or anything like that; as previously stated without a suffix, the root word means nothing. Now let us add suffixes to Daw to change its meaning.

### Suffix Descriptions

In Dawi Lekar, suffixes indicate the number, type, and even the part of speech of any given word, common suffixes include the part of speech indicators, abstract/concrete indicator, tense indicator, and number indicator. Sometimes these are added together, other times certain parts are omitted. See examples below.

#### Part of Speech Indicators

Suffixes can change words to be either nouns, verbs, or adjectives.

**-a, -i, -az, -ak (situational), -al, -ar, -ul, -en:** These suffixes indicate a noun

(Ex. Dawi - lit. 'dwarf')

**-ak, -uz:** These suffixes indicate an adjective

(Ex. Dawak - lit. 'Dwarven')

**-it, -ed:** These suffixes indicate a verb

(Ex. Dawit - 'like a dwarf' lit. 'to dwarf')

#### Abstract/Concrete Indicator

Also known as the 'definitive indicator' certain nouns in dwarf lexicon are considered material, tangible things. Others are considered intangible concepts. The indicators are as follows:

**-a, -i, -az, -al, -it, -en:** These suffixes indicate a concrete idea

**-ak, -ar, -ul, -en:** These suffixes indicate an abstract idea

#### Indication of Number

Fortunately, for the most part, singular and plural are indicated thus:

**-al:** The suffix indicates limited plural

(Ex. Dawal - lit. 'A group of dwarves')

**-i:** The suffix indicates unlimited plural or definitive singular depending on context

(Ex. Dawi - lit. 'that dwarf', or 'Dwarvenkind')

**-a:** Indefinite noun

(Ex. Dawa - lit. "a dwarf")

#### Literal Definitions of Suffixes

**-a:** The common suffix to indicate a singular, indefinite noun

(ex. Dawa - lit. "a dwarf")

**-i:** The suffix indicates one of two different things, it can either represent a definitive singular noun (specifically a person, profession, or race)

(ex. Dawi - lit. "that dwarf" or "the dwarf")

or it can mean an unlimited plural (when referring to races)

(ex. Dawi - lit. "Dwarvenkind")

**-ak:** This suffix indicates a definitive noun (specifically a place or thing)

(ex. Karak - lit. "that mountain")

**-ad:** This suffix indicates an indefinite noun (specifically a place of thing)

(ex. Kazad - lit. "a mountain")

**-az:** This suffix indicates an abstract concept, either as a noun or adjective.

(ex. Karaz - lit. "enduring")

(ex. strunaz - lit. "strong)

(ex. strungaz - lit. "strength")

**-al:** This suffix indicates a limited plural noun

(ex. Dawal - lit. "a group of dwarves")

**-ar:** This suffix indicates something that is indefinitely continuing

(ex. urbar - "trade" lit. "continuing path")

**-ul:** This suffix indicates a noun meaning 'the art of'

(ex. Grungul - lit. "the art of mining")

**-en:** This suffix indicates something that is currently ongoing, but not indefinitely

(ex. Valken - lit. "walking")

**-la:** This suffix indicates that the word refers to a weapon or armor

**-ro:** This suffix indicates that the word refers to a tool.

**-ha:** This suffix indicates exclamation.

**-hur:** This suffix indicates a question

**-kak:** This suffix means 'without', comparable to '-less'

**-ez:** This suffix indicates a simile, meaning 'like or as if'

## Lexicon

Gathered here is an index of dwarven words. General grammar rules indicate that no two vowels may be placed together, and that accommodations, usually in the form of adding consonants such as 'g' or 'k' are added to prevent this. As an example, So is the word for sun, therefore if you were to say 'a group of suns' it would be Sogal, rather than Soal.

### Forms of Pronouns

\*pronounced (OO-s)

\*\*there is no epicene version of the neuter, either plural or singular. See

### Mining Words

Dwarves have a large focus on mining and their language reflects this.

Aksturnro: Pickaxe (lit. "Stone-Axe tool")

Grung: Mine

Grungr: To Mine (verb)

Grunr: Mine (verb)

Grungri: Mining (verb)

Grungi: Miner

Solak: Miner (slang, lit. "without-sun")

Gruncar: Mine-Cart

Grunfel: Collapsed or abandoned mine.

Grunlot: A light carried into a mine; a lantern.

Sturn: Stone, rock

Sturak: A piece of stone used for carving runes on.

Sturaz: Hard, enduring, strong (lit. "stony")

Brilt: A stone which has gotten in one's boot under their sole, causing discomfort. Also can be used to describe someone; similar to the term 'a thorn in my side'

Dor: Iron

Dorven: Iron Ore/Vein (often joked about by humans due to the similarity to the Monic word 'Dwarven'. Dwarves take this as a compliment, suggesting it implies they are sturdy like Iron)

Dorul: Ironsmithing

Dorulti: A Ironworker (Not a Blacksmith, more describing factory workers)

Dorit: To work iron

Kopor: Copper

Gelt: Gold

Geltven: Gold Ore/Vein

Geltul: The art of Goldworking and Engraving

Geltit: To work Gold or to engrave

Bryn: A Gold of superb quality; also used for engravings.

Brynul: Being very wealthy (lit. "the art of superb gold"), often used to refer to wealthy merchants.

Angril: Silver

Angrilul: The Art of Silversmithing

Bryngril: Platinum (lit. "superior silver")

Dimot: Diamond

Rethert: Ruby (lit. 'Red-Heart)

Grunsturn: Emerald (lit. 'Green-Stone')

Blufer: Sapphire (lit. 'Blue-Fire)

Gem or Jem: Gem or Jewel in General

Jemul: A Profession involving gems (including trading them, inspecting them, or adornishing weapons or tools with them)

Jemit: To do something with gems.

Anak: Mithril Ore or Vein

Mithril: Mithril

Tanak: Adamantium Ore or Vein

Angrilotez: Adamantium (lit. "Silver that is like a diamond")

Metun: Metal of any kind

Rek: The harness a dwarf wears under the pit.

Grunghul: A deep pit mine.

### Smithing

Dwarves, the masters of smithing and artistry, craft only the finest of wares, and when their craft fails to meet their extremely high expectation, they tend to discard it, selling it for far cheaper than its actual worth. This is owing to their obstinate nature; if something is subpar, it is worthless, even if others do not see it to be so.

Dosmid: A Blacksmith

Dosmit: To smith or craft with iron

Dosmidad: A blacksmithy

Gelsmid: A Goldsmith

Gelsmit: To smith or engrave with gold

Gelsmidad: A Goldsmithy

Angsmid: A Silversmith

Angsmit: To smith with silver

Angsmidad: A silversmithy

Mithsmid: A Mithril or Adamantium Smith

Mithsmit: To smith or craft with Mithril or Adamantium

Mithsmidad: A Mithril of Adamantium Smithy

Dawimek: Of superb or excellent quality (lit. "of dwarven make")

Umgimek: Of average or satisfactory quality. (lit. "of human make")

Elgimek: Extremely gaudy, so much so that it almost defeats its utilitarian use (lit. "of elven make")

Urumek: A curse word, profanely meaning terrible quality (lit. "of orcish make")

### Brewing, Taverns and Other Vices

Tarun: Tavern, Inn, or Pub

Wemtarun: A Brothel (lit. "Woman Tavern")

Gorog: Ale, Grog, Strong Alcohol

Strungorog: Strong Ale, Well-Made Ale

Fergorog: Ale so strong it can be set on fire (lit. "fire ale")

Guz: Food

Guzzit: To eat

Kuguz: Steak (lit. "cow-food")

Whet: Wheat

Whetguz: Bread (lit. "wheat-food")

Sip: Drink or Liquid

Kusip: Milk (lit. "cow-drink)

Sipguz: Vomit (noun, lit. "liquid food")

Sipguzit: Vomit (verb)

Apel: Apple

Apelsip: Apple Cider

Wemerflek: A Female Courtesan (lit. "woman of the flesh")

Nemerflek: A Male Courtesan (lit. "man of the flesh")

### Body and Anatomy

Nem: Man

Wem: Woman

Flek: Flesh

Ock: Eye

Mut: Mouth

Nuz: Nose

Er: Ear

Bun: Bone

Pac: Face

Pachyr: Beard (lit. "face-hair")

Scer: Scar

### Battle & Combat

Tar: Battle

Birtar: War (lit. "Big Battle")

Nembirtar: Soldier (lit. "Big Battle Man", translated as Man of War despite not having the possessive 'er')

Arm: Weapon in generally

Sula: Sword

Tala: Shield

Arla: Armor

Bikla: Spear

Hamla: Hammer

Akla: Axe (Waraxe)

Flaksek: Banner (lit. "Flagstick)

Krak: Crush, Smite, Destroy

Cor: Kill

Corlar: Killer

Mam: Wound, Maim.

### Races and Beasts

Dawi: Dwarves

Umgi: Human

Elgi: Elf

Umelgi: Half-Elf (lit. "human elf")

Dumelgi: Drow (lit. "dark elf")

Uruk: Orc

Guruk: Goblin

Umguruk: Half-Orc (lit. "human orc")

Helum: Tiefling (lit. "hell human")

Hyrum: Tabaxi (lit. "hair human")

Durgum: Dragonborn (lit. "Dragon Human")

Umbremi: Halfling (lit. "brave human")

Perekum: Gnome (lit. "prank human")

Gansik: Goliath (lit. "short giant")

Tregan: Firbolg (lit. "tree giant")

Bunumgi: Skeleton (lit. "bone human")

Notumgi: Vampire (lit. "Night Human"), frequently joked about by dwarves, as 'not umgi' sounds as though it could mean 'not human' in Monic.

Serumgi: Merfolk (lit. "sea human")

Maldawi: Duergar (lit. "evil dwarves")

Hilgan: Hill Giant

Fergan: Fire Giant

Sturngan: Stone Giant

Setgan: Frost Giant (lit. "Snow-Giant")

Cludgan: Cloud Giant

Sturmgan: Storm Giant

Umgan: Great Giant (lit. "human giant")

### Titles

Kern amut Kerni: The Formal Title for the High King (lit. "King of all Kings")

Hikernerdonkazal: Informal title for the High King (lit. "High King of the Ten Peaks)

Kern: King

Ledem: Leader

Duk: Duke or Noble

Miledem: General (lit. "leader of a thousand")

Cenledem: Centurion, Officer, Military Commander (lit. "leader of a hundred")

Donledem: Squad Leader (lit. "leader of ten.")

### Society

Fren: Friend

Umerfren: Friend of the Humans

Dawerfren: Friend of the Dwarves

Frenumgal: Friend of the speaker

Hus: House

Sel: Sell

Pel: Buy

Urb: Exchange/Trade

Urbhus: Shop (lit. "trade house")

Kalan: Clan

Sirkalan: Family (lit. "small clan")

Kun: Coin, also a suffix added on to minerals to indicate the material component of the coin.

Gut: Good

Bat: Bad

Bet: Great

Mal: Evil

Grizzir: Welcome (formal)

Grizzirha: A more enthusiastic welcome

Gritz: Hello

Gri: Hi (informal)

Cūtreak: Farewell (formal)

Reak: Goodbye

Rak: Bye (informal)

Flak: Flag

Sek: Stick, Pole, Handle

Patur: Father

Motur: Mother

Pefur: Brother

Mefur: Sister

Pemur: Son

Memur: Daughter

Fratur: Male 'Superior' Clansman

Grotur: Female 'Superior' Clansman

Frefur: Male 'Equal' Clansman

Grefur: Female 'Equal' Clansman

Fremur: Male 'Inferior' Clansman

Gremur: Female 'Inferior' Clansman

Gurt: God

Gurtwem: Goddess

### Descriptions

Bir: Big

Sir: Small

Bik: Long

Sik: Short

Gan: Giant (also the race of giants)

### Grammar and Conjunctions

Ye: Yes

Ne: No

Ti: To

Et: and

Er: of

Aut: but

Amut: of all

Tir: by

E: The

A: A

An: An

Es: Is

Ese: Are

Kurm: From

Way: What

Cūl: Where

Cūt: When

Cur: Why

Cut: Who

Cu: How

Deladar: Below

Aladar: Above

Yûl: Broken

Yû: Break

Kat: Can

Du: Do

Fir: For

### Numbers:

On: One

Tu: Two

Tiri: Three

Fur: Four

Fif: Five (pronounced Fife)

Heregs: Six

Retek: Seven

Aket: Eight

Nonnen: Nine

Don: Ten

Cent: One-Hundred

Mill: One-Thousand

Meret: One Million

Feret: One Billion

Algalaz: Larger than One Billion; unfathomably large

Algaralaz: Infinite

For further numbers, 11-19 are represented as Donet\_\_\_, for example, fourteen is Donetfur, and so on. For 20-99 the number becomes Doner\_\_\_et\_\_\_, where the first blank is the first digit and the second is the second digit. With 64 being Donerheregsetfur. This literally means "Ten of six and four." For 100 and higher, each number is represented by two words, the first being the first digit, the second being the second and third digit, it is formed as such: Center\_\_\_ Doner\_\_\_et\_\_\_, so 365 would be Centertiri Donerheregsetfif, this becomes three words at 1,000. Four at 1,000,000 and five at 1,000,000,000. Any higher, and the term Algalaz is used.

### Nature:

Tre: Tree

Lotscer: Lightning (lit. "light scar")

Ert: Earth (dirt, ground, etc)

Set: Snow

Du(m): Darkness

### Curses:

Dwarven curses, known in dwarves as "Dorleki" (Iron Words) are exclamations of anger, surprise, or confusion. Due to their harsh and angered tone, they are commonly used by non-dwarves as well.

Pachyrtiriri: (also Pachyrtiri), 'by my beard', an exclamation of shock or surprise, not necessarily a curse.

Grungfelori: 'May your mine collapse', a wishing of ill-will towards a competitor, originally from competition between mining companies.

Falk: An expletive roughly equivalent to 'shit' or 'fuck'; something uttered not towards anyone in particular.

Falkha: A more profane curse than Falk

Falk(ha)or: Directed to the addressed individual.

Tresqutal: One of numerous curses for Elves; 'tree squatters'

Seknem: Another curse for elves; 'stick men'

Susirer: A popular curse for elves; 'knife ears' (lit: 'small sword ears')

Lotscerkrakertor: One of the most profane things a dwarf can say to a person, means roughly "may lightning strike you down to your grave" (lit. "May the light scar smite you to earth")

Morakrakdetor: A profanity so inappropriate it is frequently criminal to say in dwarven lands, invoking Moradin to strike the one being addressed dead.

## Common Dwarvish Sayings, and Example Sentences

### Greetings and Well-Wishes

"Gritz iri fren." (Hello my friend)

"Grizzir ti Dorkaraz." (Welcome to the Ironhold)

"Gri, way kat I du fer orhur?" (Hi, what can I do for you?)