Tevene is the official language of the Tevinter Imperium.[1] Several runes bear Tevinter symbols, some of them old.
In modern Tevinter, Tevene has ceased to be the main spoken language among the population in favour of the Trade tongue. Higher ranking Tevinters use phrases as signs of their education and social standing.[2]
Words and phrases
- Alluvin valla kal: Meaning unknown.[3]
- Amatus: A term of endearment; exact meaning unknown.[4] Latin word "amatus" means "loved", "beloved".[5]
- Astia valla femundis: Meaning unknown.[6]
- Avanna: "Hello."[7]
- Banavis fedari: "May the ground rise to meet your feet."[8]
- Benefaris: Meaning unknown.[9] Latin word "benefacio" means "I do good", "I benefit", "I bless".[10]
- Calthora Virethen: Meaning unknown.[11]
- Fasta vass: A swear word; exact meaning unknown.[12]
- Festis bei umo canavarum: translated metaphorically by Fenris as "it means [that] you will be the death of me".[13][14]
- Incaensor: means a dangerous substance, such as raw lyrium or natron salts. It is often used as derogatory slang for a magic-using slave—something dangerous but useful if controlled.[15]
- Kaffas: "Shit."[16]
- Kevesh: Meaning unknown.[17][18]
- Manaveris Dracona: "Long live the Dragons."[19] The Latin phrase is derived from a word "draco", meaning "dragon",[20] and "manaveris", a conjugated form of "mānō", a verb that literally denotes the act of flowing, trickling, etc., while its figurative meaning can be linked to leaking out secrets, or a metaphorical way of saying "arise, proceed, emanate, originate"[21][22]
- Menavaris festa landem: Meaning unknown.[23]
- Na via lerno victoria: "Only the living know victory."[24]
- Perrepatae: "Mage-killer."[25]
- Quis est iste qui uenit: Meaning Unknown.[26] Latin meaning is "Who is this who is coming?"
- Rattus: A demeaning word for the elves; exact meaning unknown.[27] Latin word "rattus" means "rat".[28]
- Soporati: A non-mage in the general sense, more specifically a member of the non-mage social class in the Tevinter Imperium, also referred to as a "sleeper".[29][30][31] Latin word "soporati" is a form of "soporatus", which signifies a person who was "sent to sleep" or "stupefied".[32]
- Somniari: "Dreamer". A special kind of mage who can shape the Fade.[33] Latin word "somniari" is a conjugated form of "somniare" that means "to dream".[34]
- Venhedis: A swear word; exact meaning unknown.[12]
- Venhedis kaffan vas: Meaning unknown.[35]
- Viridis: "The Green". Refers to the unexplored jungles in the far north of Thedas.[36]
- Vishante kaffar: Meaning unknown.[7]
- Vishante kaffas: "You shit on my tongue."[37]
- Vitae benefaria: A respectful goodbye; exact meaning unknown; roughly means "go well" or "a good life and a long one".[38] The Latin phrase can be translated as "benefits of life", from "vitae", a form of "vita", meaning "life",[39] and "benefaria", likely derived from "beneficium", meaning "benefit".[40].
Ancient Tevene
Ancient Tevene is the ancient and dead language of Tevinter Imperium. Several words of ancient Tevene are still used in scholarly circles to refer to the months of the year, the annums (annual holidays),[41] and constellations. These names are sometimes referred to as "high" names, as opposed to the "low" names used by the common people.
- Cekorax: Described as a "suspect kludging" of the Old Tevene word for "headsman."[42]
- Corypheus: "Conductor."[43]
- Dweomer: "Dwarf."[44]
- Hollix: "Irrepressible rascal."[42]
- Maleficar: "One who is depraved."[45]
- Mortemalis: Ancient name of the constellation now known as Satinalis or Satina.[46]
- Peraquialus: "Across the sea."[47]
- Somnoborium: "Vessels of Dreams."[48]
Notes
- Despite their status as slaves in Tevinter and apparent lack of formal education, Fenris and Calpernia both use Tevene. It is unknown whether high ranking Tevinters teach their slaves Tevene, or if they acquired the ability to speak it through other means.
- Several words in Tevene seem to be based on Latin words. For example, "amatus" is identical to the Latin word for "beloved"[5] while "somniari," the Tevene word for dreamer, is very close to somniare, the present infinitive form of the Latin verb "to dream."[34] "Corypheus" also bears a strong resemblance to the Classical Greek word κορυφαῖος (koryphaîos, latinized as coryphaeus), meaning "conductor of the chorus" or "the leader of a party or interest".[49]
References
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