The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm

NAMES AND LANGUAGES

To the casual observer, the various names an intrepid traveler will encounter throughout Alagaësia might seem but a random collection with no inherent integrity, culture, or history. However, as with any land that different groups—and in this case, different species—have repeatedly colonized, Alagaësia acquired names from a wide array of unique sources, among them the languages of the dwarves, elves, humans, and even Urgals. Thus we can have Palancar Valley (a human name), the Anora River and Ristvak’baen (elven names), and Utgard Mountain (a dwarven name) all within a few square miles of each other.

While this is of great historical interest, practically it often leads to confusion as to the correct pronunciation. Unfortunately, there are no set rules for the neophyte. You must learn each name upon its own terms, unless you can immediately place its language of origin. The matter grows even more confusing when you realize that in many places the resident population altered the spelling and pronunciation of foreign words to conform to their own language. The Anora River is a prime example. Originally anora was spelled äenora, which means broad in the ancient language. In their writings, the humans simplified the word to anora, and this, combined with a vowel shift wherein äe (ay-eh) was said as the easier a (uh), created the name as it appears in Eragon’s time.

To spare readers as much difficulty as possible, I have compiled the following list, with the understanding that these are only rough guidelines to the actual pronunciation. The enthusiast is encouraged to study the source languages in order to master their true intricacies.

Alagaësia—al-uh-GAY-zee-uh

Arya—AR-ee-uh

Ästrith—AY-strith

Blödhgarm—BLAWD-garm

Brisingr—BRISS-ing-gur

Du Weldenvarden—doo WELL-den-VAR-den

Ellesméra—el-uhs-MEER-uh

Eragon—EHR-uh-gahn

Galbatorix—gal-buh-TOR-icks

Gil’ead—GILL-ee-id

Glaedr—GLAY-dur

Hruthmund—HRUTH-mund

Ilgra—ILL-gruh

Irsk—URSK

Kulkaras—kull-CAR-us

Murtagh—MUR-tag (mur rhymes with purr)

Nasuada—nah-soo-AH-dah

Oromis—OR-uh-miss

Qarzhad—KWAR-zhahd

Ra’zac—RAA-zack

Rílven—REAL-ven (ríl is a hard sound to transcribe; it’s made by flicking the tip of the tongue off the roof of the mouth)

Saphira—suh-FEAR-uh

Skarghaz—SCAR-ghawzh

Tronjheim—TRONJ-heem

Ulkrö—ULL-kroh

Umaroth—oo-MAR-oth

Urû’baen—OO-roo-bane

Vêrmund—VAIR-mooned

Yhana—YHAW-nuh

Argetlam—Silver Hand

Atra esterní ono thelduin.—May good fortune rule over you.

Blödhgarm—Bloodwolf

brisingr—fire

du—the

Du Vrangr Gata—The Wandering Path

Du Weldenvarden—The Guarding Forest

Ebrithil—Master

Eldunarí—a dragon’s heart of hearts

Fell Thindarë—Mountain of Night

finiarel—male honorific for a young one of great promise

garjzla—light

jierda—break; hit

Kvetha Fricaya—Greetings, Friends

Lethrblaka—Leather-Flapper

melthna—melt

rïsa—rise

Shur’tugal—Dragon Rider

vaeta—hope

Arngor—White Mountain

barzûl—to curse someone with ill fate

beor—cave bear (borrowed from the ancient language)

dûrgrimst—clan (literally, “our hall” or “our home”)

gor—mountain

Gor Narrveln—Mountain of Gems

Ingeitum—fire workers; smiths

Jurgencarmeitder—Dragon Rider

Mûnnvlorss—a type of dwarven mead

Tronjheim—Helm of Giants

drajl—spawn of maggots

gorgoth—revenge

Herndall—a group of elderly dams who rule an Urgal clan; also an individual dam who belongs to said group

Maghra—an Urgal game of chance and strategy

nar—a title of great respect

Nrech—Lethrblaka

ozhthim—a female Urgal’s first monthly blood

rekk—an Urgal drink made from fermented cattails

thulqna—woven strips Urgals use to display the crests of their clans, as well as the deeds and lineage of their families

Ungvek—Strong-Headed

Urgralgra—the Urgals’ name for themselves (literally, “those with horns”)

warung—acceptance