Ancient Elven–The Lesser Known Language in Aviandria

I think I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Authors don’t always know everything about the world’s they write about. For example, I haven’t quite figured out how those in Aviandria speak the same language as we do. I have a couple of theories, but since Ashlynn hasn’t figured it out yet, neither have I. However, the language Ashlynn speaks and understands throughout the books isn’t the only Language in Aviandria.

A long, long, long, long time ago, there were only Elves in Aviandria. When humans settled there, they spoke different languages. Eventually, they began mingling, and the humans’ language became the more dominant language. (You can learn more about this history here.) Fewer and fewer people learned the Elven language. By the time Ashlynn arrived in Aviandria, it was unusual to find someone who spoke much at all. There are still a few small communities that hold to the old customs and speak the Ancient Elven Language. However, a vast majority of the population speaks what they call The Standard Tongue, which is what Ashlynn seems to know.

While I don’t know much of the Ancient Elven Language, I do know a few words and phrases. Keep in mind, this is my best attempt to put it into our English alphabet, considering this language originally had no written form, and if it is written in Aviandria, it would be in the Aviandrian script.

A common greeting in the Ancient Elven Language would be: Karyn Iene Anane Sha. The direct translation would be “Joy See Friend belonging to me.” Basically, “It makes me happy to see you, my friend.” This phrase shows an interesting point of grammar, in that the possessive indicator (ne) is at the end of the object being possessed rather than the possessor.

From this phrase I discovered (yes, discovered, not planned or arranged) that Karynne’s (one of the characters in the books) name means “My Joy.” Interestingly enough, she is one of the only characters who grew up speaking the Ancient Elven Language, so her parents would have known exactly what they were doing.

A few more (very random) phrases:

I am your friend- Sha tam anane no.

You are a blue goat- No tam om ailan ma. (I have no clue why you would need that.)

I have three dogs- Sha dok to mobarak. (The “mo” indicates plural and goes before the word instead of after.)

I like peace- Sha nam shalshe.

Peace with you (a common farewell): Shalshe nans no.

Like I said, I don’t know much, but there’s a bit to give you an idea.

Have you learned a second language? What was different or unique about it?