The Blagtoof WarTribe Language
Created By Lord Rakknarr
Our dialect of Orcish is ours. We created it and we take full credit for the work of it. If it helps you, then great, throw us some credit. Our members all learn to talk Orc with this guide I wrote up. Every Orc is different, every Tribe is different. Different regions talk differently, slight differences in pronunciation and flux in their voice patterns. All in all, this is “The Blagtoof WarTribe Orc Language” and it originated right here.
The Orc Language isn’t exactly the hardest language to master. The many dialects and versions of words and phrases would be far too much to even attempt to put here, so this will be more of a guide and essay type to the basics. Every Tribe speaks a little differently, right down to the accent. With any luck this will help even the most inexperienced learn at least enough to know if they’re being cursed at by an Orc!!
What one needs to remember about Orcs, or any other “creature-esque” race in MMORPGs, is not that they are unintelligent. They simply don’t know the common language well, if at all. Also, that more often than not, they have rather huge teeth, so forming the sometimes complex words of the common language isn’t exactly an easy task, and they’ll readily remind you of that. After all, it’s not like they are put on the world to be linguist specialists. So, right off the bat, assuming an Orc or Minotaur, or even a Lizardman is stupid or inferior is probably the quickest way to find yourself on the buisiness end of their axe, spear or hoof.
The first thing to learn is that it’s all very basic to them. Hard “C” sounds are usually spelt with a “K”. Hard “S” sounds are usually spelt with a “Z”. Another basic example is “sion” or “tion”. That’s done in the most literal sense……”shun”.
Example - Education would be spelt ‘Edukashun’. Correction would be spelt ‘Korrektshun’.
Of course there are exceptions to the rules, and sometimes it would just look completely silly and incoherant to be rigid with them. Use your disgression and common sense. The idea is to be somewhat understood by the people you’re conversing with. Not completely ignored because you’re that annoying RPer that nobody can understand. Keep in mind that even your own guildmates might not be as fluent as you are, so try to keep it as basic and coherant as you can while retaining consistancy. This is alot to consider, yes, but it’s a rewarding experience.
Simplicity
Keep It Simple Stupid. No truer words could ever be spoken, especially when it comes to the Orc language. Long words are usually butchered, and can be said very slowly for an added effect. All depending on how “refined” you want your character to be. Again, there aren’t any RULES on how to play your character, he might have spent considerable amounts of time near Human camps and picked up alot more of the language than a Grunt that has had only one form of contact with humans. His axe to their heads. Bearing that in mind, keep things literal as well. To what degree is again up to you. Some players prefer to be so literal in what they comprehend and what they say, that it makes for an intersting time. Others prefer to have their character learn as they go. Misunderstanding almost everything at first, and then slowly getting the grip of what’s being said. Of course, never losing the accent and literal pronunciation of the words. You still have those nasty teeth. You still have those gaping jaws and loose lips. You’ll never be a well spoken creature. Face that fact. But you could most certainly understand everything that’s said around you and comprehend it completely after awhile.
Pronunciation
And now we reach what is probably the most difficult part of this section. Pronunciation.
The best way to do this is to give examples and hope what I’m trying to get across is understood. *smiles*
TH - The “th” sound is near impossible for a greenskin. So they compensate by using an “F” sound. They also often use a “D” in the place of ‘TH’. The best examples is “thing = fing” , “something = sumfing” and “there = dere” , “the = da”. Those are the most common examples I can give.
OF - The most literal sense can be used here. “UV” works well.
ER - The “ER” sound is usually replaced with “UR”. Example - Over = Ovvur.
SOME - ‘Some’ and words that sound like it, exaggerate the “U” sound. Example - Blood = Bluud. Good = Guud. Done = Dun.
WHAT - This is usually spelt ‘Wot’ or ‘Wut’.
The Finer Details
In this section we’ll go into some details and examples of how these creatures think and see the world around them in terms of male, female, singular, and plural.
Orcs refer to almost everything in the male and plural context until corrected. Plan and simple. All creatures are “Himz”. Male, female, what have you…….until they are told otherwise………many, many times…….the people they come across are “Himz”. And on being corrected, they might even conclude that the person’s NAME they are speaking to is “Her” or “A Her” if they’re told “I’m not a him I’m a her”!!
On that same note, when they are referring to a person, it’s almost always plural as well. They also usually don’t say “I” when referring to themselves. It’s either their own name, or “Me / Mi”.
Some Helpful Examples
Yes - Yar
No - Nar
Hail, Hello - ‘lo der
Goodbye - Goo-by
Thanks - Dankie
Cheer, Warcry - Waaargh!!!
Orc - Orcsez, Ladz
Troll - Trullz
Undead - Dedie
Beastmen, Minotaurs - Beeztmen
Human - Oomie
Elf - Panzee
Dwarf - Stuntee
Gnome - Runtee
Goblin - Gobbo
Orc Lord / Noble - Nob
Young Orc - Runtz
The Orc Gods - Gork and Mork
‘Mob’ Orc - Shardie
Axe - Choppa’
Sword - Cutta’
Mace - Basha’
Shield - Blokka’
Dagger - Lil’Stabba’
Spear - Poka’
Arrow - Shotz
Bow - Shoota’
Shaman - Mad Boyz, Wierd Boyz, Mojoka
Assassin - Koward
Thief, Rogue - Sneek’r
Mage / Wizard - Mad Boyz, Wierd Boyz, Mojoka
Craftsman - Maka’
Lord, Guildmaster, Leader - Bozz, Boss, WarBoss, WarBozz
Army - ‘orde , Mob
Man - Himz
Woman - Herz
Sailor, Pirate - Freebooter
Never - Nebur
Slave - Slabe
Death - Deff
Food - Fuud
Drink - Grog
World - Werld
Big - Big’un
Foolish, jerk, stupid - Git
Little - Runt
Magic , Magical - Mojo
I, me - Me / Ize
My, mine - Mine
You - Yuz , Ladz
Your - Yuz , Ladz
Him, His - Himz
Her, Hers - Herz
We, Us - Wez, Uz
Them - Dem
Their - Deir
This - Dis
That - Dat
Than - Dan
To - Tu
For - Fer
Are - ‘re
How - ‘ow
Only - Onlee
And - an’
Of - Uf
All - Awl
Where - Whur
When - Whun
Acknowledgement - Ukee
Above - Abuvv
Under - Undur
Front - Frunt
Behind - Bakk
Together - Tugevvur
Through - Froo
Becoming - Bekummink
Being - Beink
Believe - Beleeb
Bring - Brung’d
Calling - Skreemink
Dying - Dedink
Eating - Eetink
Enter - Gu in
Gathering - Gadderink
Giving - Gibbink
Go - Gu
Having - Habink
Hiding - Hidey
Knowing - Knuwink
Let’s go - Wez gu
Lie hidden - Sneek
Looking - Luukink
Serving - Serbink
Stealing, Taking - Takink
Present - Nuw
Past - Den
Future - Fuutoor
(Insult)Kewl Dewd, d00d - Pushdog
(Insult)Annoying, Useless - Grubby Git
Numbers
Zero - Nun
One - Wun
Two - Tuu
Three - Free
Four - Furr
Five - Fie
Six and up - Lotz
Closing
All in all this isn’t meant to be a strict ruleset for the Orcish Language. It’s our way, our language, and you can either use what you have read here as a guide, or completely ignore it. But if you plan to join the Blagtoof, this is how we talk. End of story. With the examples provided here, hopefully it’ll allow just about anyone to pick it up and run with it. As stated in the beginning there are many dialects and accents, and no one real way is the absolute and indesputably correct way. If we’ve managed to supply you with a basic guideline and a general idea to follow, then our job here is done. One last thing to remember, this isn’t just restricted to Orcs. While alot of games are now paying more attention to the player desire to create an Orc Character, some don’t include that option. This can be used for any race that would suit it. Minotaurs, Lizardmen (with more attention given to the “s” sounds), Ogres, Trolls….. any of the beastly creatures you might want to play.
*The language of The Blagtoof WarTribe / PhM ©1988 Rage Productions*
*Use without express written permission prohibited*
