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{{ImperiumPortal}}
 
{{ImperiumPortal}}
'''Low Gothic''' (or '''Imperial Gothic''') is the common language of the Imperium. In the [[Age of the Imperium]] it is spoken as a first language on almost all [[Civilised World|civilised planets]], and is accepted as a second language on planets within Imperial control with the exception of some [[Feudal World|medieval]] and [[Feral World|feral worlds]].
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'''Low Gothic''' (or '''Imperial Gothic''') is the common language of the [[Imperium of Man]]. In the [[Age of the Imperium]] it is spoken as a first language on almost all [[Civilised World|civilised planets]], and is accepted as a second language on planets within Imperial control with the exception of some [[Feudal World|medieval]] and [[Feral World|feral worlds]].
  
 
Low Gothic is a bastardised version of [[High Gothic]], combining additional elements from several of the oriental languages of ancient [[Terra]]. Over the millennia it has changed greatly, and now bears almost no resemblance to the tongues from which it derived. Although a common language, it varies from planet to planet (and even from region to region), so that it is not always easy for two characters to communicate if they are from different worlds.
 
Low Gothic is a bastardised version of [[High Gothic]], combining additional elements from several of the oriental languages of ancient [[Terra]]. Over the millennia it has changed greatly, and now bears almost no resemblance to the tongues from which it derived. Although a common language, it varies from planet to planet (and even from region to region), so that it is not always easy for two characters to communicate if they are from different worlds.
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==Known Low Gothic Dialects==
 
==Known Low Gothic Dialects==
 +
===[[Cthonia]]n===
 +
A dialect of the planet [[Cthonia]]. Among its speakers were the Cthonian [[Legionary|Legionaries]] of the [[Luna Wolves]] [[Space Marine Legion|Legion]].{{Fn|9}}
 +
*''Aebathan'' — Originally used to mean the severing of an enemy [[Ganger|gang-killer's]] throat in single combat. Later used to refer to the successful completion of a military campaign.{{Fn|9}}
 +
 
===[[Colchis]]ian===
 
===[[Colchis]]ian===
 
A dialect of the planet [[Colchis]].{{Cite this}}
 
A dialect of the planet [[Colchis]].{{Cite this}}
*'''[[Ushmetar Kaul]]''' - "Sharp edge by which false reality may be slit and pulled away to reveal god".
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*[[Argel Tal]] "The Last Angel".
*'''[[Argel Tal]]''' - "The Last Angel".
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*[[Gal Vorbak]] "The Blessed Sons".
*'''[[Urizen]]''' - "Wisest of the wise".
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*[[Urizen]] "Wisest of the wise".
*'''[[Vakrah Jal]]''' - "Chapter of Consecrated Iron".
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*[[Ushmetar Kaul]] "Sharp edge by which false reality may be slit and pulled away to reveal god".
*'''[[Gal Vorbak]]''' - "The Blessed Sons".
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*[[Vakrah Jal]] "Chapter of Consecrated Iron".
  
 
===[[Fenris]]ian===
 
===[[Fenris]]ian===
Also known as [[Fenris Vulgaris]]. A dialect of the planet [[Fenris]].{{Fn|2}}
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Also known as [[Fenris Vulgaris]]. A dialect of the planet [[Fenris]].{{Fn|2}}
*'''[[The Aett|Aett]]''' - "clan-home", "fireplace" or "den".
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*[[The Aett|Aett]] "Clan-home", "fireplace" or "den".
*'''[[Vlka Fenryka]]''' - "Wolves of Fenris".
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*[[Bjorn]] — "Bear".
*'''[[Jarl]]''' - "Wolf Lord".
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*''[[Drekkar]]'' — "Longship".{{Fn|5b}}
*'''[[Varagyr]]''' - "Wolf Guard".
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*[[Einherjar]] — "Blood-sworn".
*'''[[Bjorn]]''' - "Bear".
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*[[Jarl]] — "[[Wolf Lord]]".
*'''[[Einherjar]]''' - "Blood-sworn".
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*''Móðir'' "Mother".{{Fn|10b}}
*'''[[Iskandar_Khayon#Equipment_and_Abilities|Saern]]''' - "Truth".
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*''Örlendr'' — "Outsider", "[[Xenos|alien]]" (could also mean "intruder" depending on the context).{{Fn|10a}}
 +
*[[Iskandar_Khayon#Equipment_and_Abilities|Saern]] — "Truth".
 +
*''Sálskjoldur'' — "Soul-ward"{{Fn|5b}}
 +
*''Skítja'' — A swear word, exact meaning unknown.{{Fn|5a}}
 +
*''Sverdhjera'' — "Blademaster(s)".{{Fn|5a}}
 +
*[[Varagyr]] "[[Wolf Guard]]".
 +
*[[Vlka Fenryka]] "[[Space Wolves|Wolves of Fenris]]".
 +
*''[[Wyrdfast]]'' — "fate-caught".{{Fn|8}}
  
 
===[[Konndar]]===
 
===[[Konndar]]===
 
The dominant dialect of the planet [[Harakon]].{{Fn|3b}}
 
The dominant dialect of the planet [[Harakon]].{{Fn|3b}}
*'''[[Harakoni_Warhawks#Notable_Regiments|Retalla mire allek]]''' - "Kill or be killed".
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*[[Harakoni_Warhawks#Notable_Regiments|Retalla mire allek]] "Kill or be killed".
  
 
===[[Medusa (Planet)|Medusan]]===
 
===[[Medusa (Planet)|Medusan]]===
A set of dialects of the planet [[Medusa (Planet)|Medusa]]. Specific dialects include [[Tergiza]], spoken by [[Clan Raukaan]].{{Fn|3a}}
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A set of dialects of the planet [[Medusa (Planet)|Medusa]]. Specific dialects include [[Tergiza]], spoken by [[Clan Raukaan]]{{Fn|3a}} and [[Ekfrasi]], spoken by [[Clan Kaargul]].{{Fn|6}}
*'''[[Garrsak Clan|Garrsak]]''' - "Unity".
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*[[Garrsak Clan|Garrsak]] "Unity".
  
 
===[[Valhalla#Valhallan_Dialect_of_Low_Gothic|Valhallan]]===
 
===[[Valhalla#Valhallan_Dialect_of_Low_Gothic|Valhallan]]===
 
The dialect of the planet [[Valhalla]].{{Cite this}}
 
The dialect of the planet [[Valhalla]].{{Cite this}}
 +
*'''Klom''' — A kilometre (slang).{{Fn|7}}
  
 
===[[Ylath]]===
 
===[[Ylath]]===
 
A dialect of the planet [[Hagia]].{{Fn|4}}
 
A dialect of the planet [[Hagia]].{{Fn|4}}
*'''[[Ershul]]''' - "A [[Chelon]] that eats its own droppings".
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*[[Ershul]] "A [[Chelon]] that eats its own droppings".
  
  
==Related Pages==
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==See also==
 
*[[High Gothic]]
 
*[[High Gothic]]
 
*[[Imperial Guard Slang]]
 
*[[Imperial Guard Slang]]
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**{{Endn|3b}}: Chapter Five
 
**{{Endn|3b}}: Chapter Five
 
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Honour Guard (Novel)]], Chapter Six
 
*{{Endn|4}}: [[Honour Guard (Novel)]], Chapter Six
 +
*5: [[Blood of Asaheim (Novel)]]
 +
**{{Endn|5a}}: Chapter One
 +
**{{Endn|5b}}: Chapter Four
 +
*{{Endn|6}}: [[Medusan Wings (Novella)]] — [[On Wings of Blood (Anthology)]], -02.0-
 +
*{{Endn|7}}: [[For the Emperor (Novel)]] — [[Ciaphas Cain: Hero of the Imperium (Omnibus)]], Chapter Three
 +
*{{Endn|8}}: [[Leman Russ: The Great Wolf (Novel)]], Chapter VI
 +
*{{Endn|9}}: [[The Horus Heresy Book One - Betrayal]], pg. 68
 +
*10: [[Void King (Novel)]]:
 +
**{{Endn|10a}}: Chapter Forty-One
 +
**{{Endn|10b}}: Chapter Forty-Four
  
 
<br>
 
<br>

Latest revision as of 20:26, 30 December 2023

Low Gothic (or Imperial Gothic) is the common language of the Imperium of Man. In the Age of the Imperium it is spoken as a first language on almost all civilised planets, and is accepted as a second language on planets within Imperial control with the exception of some medieval and feral worlds.

Low Gothic is a bastardised version of High Gothic, combining additional elements from several of the oriental languages of ancient Terra. Over the millennia it has changed greatly, and now bears almost no resemblance to the tongues from which it derived. Although a common language, it varies from planet to planet (and even from region to region), so that it is not always easy for two characters to communicate if they are from different worlds.

Medieval, feral and worlds suffering from long periods of isolation may have several indigenous languages derived either from High Gothic or one of the ancient Earth tongues. It was quite common during the Dark Age of Technology for worlds to be settled by small communities of "isolationists". These eccentric groups were often self-financed and their journeys unrecorded, many were of racial minorities attempting to recreate a sense of national identity away from the overpopulated Earth. Some of these groups made a deliberate attempt to revive long dead or moribund languages, perceiving them as a source of national identity and communal strength.


Known Low Gothic Dialects

Cthonian

A dialect of the planet Cthonia. Among its speakers were the Cthonian Legionaries of the Luna Wolves Legion.[9]

  • Aebathan — Originally used to mean the severing of an enemy gang-killer's throat in single combat. Later used to refer to the successful completion of a military campaign.[9]

Colchisian

A dialect of the planet Colchis.[Needs Citation]

  • Argel Tal — "The Last Angel".
  • Gal Vorbak — "The Blessed Sons".
  • Urizen — "Wisest of the wise".
  • Ushmetar Kaul — "Sharp edge by which false reality may be slit and pulled away to reveal god".
  • Vakrah Jal — "Chapter of Consecrated Iron".

Fenrisian

Also known as Fenris Vulgaris. A dialect of the planet Fenris.[2]

Konndar

The dominant dialect of the planet Harakon.[3b]

Medusan

A set of dialects of the planet Medusa. Specific dialects include Tergiza, spoken by Clan Raukaan[3a] and Ekfrasi, spoken by Clan Kaargul.[6]

Valhallan

The dialect of the planet Valhalla.[Needs Citation]

  • Klom — A kilometre (slang).[7]

Ylath

A dialect of the planet Hagia.[4]


See also

Sources