Lore:Jel

"Much of the nuance of Argonian conversation blooms from heavy metaphor and subtle body movements." —Lights-the-Way, Mystic of the Mages Guild

Symbols that may represent words in Jel

Jel is the native language of the Argonians. Jel originates from the ancient and intelligent Hist trees of Black Marsh. The Argonian Mere-Glim claimed that Jel was the "closest speech to thought", and that other races could not pronounce it well enough to freely converse with it. Nevertheless, Annaïg Hoïnart, a Breton, was able to learn enough Jel words to create a sort of pidgin language to converse with Mere-Glim.

The unintelligibility of Jel to other races is satirically alluded to in The Madness of Pelagius: "It was said that when the Argonian ambassador from Blackrose came to court, Pelagius insisted on speaking in all grunts and squeaks, as that was the Argonian's natural language."

There are no Jel words to describe any Daedra. As explained by a native speaker during the Interregnum, the Argonians do not "taint their language with words for abominations from Oblivion". Instead, they use common words from other more widely-spoken languages to refer to the beasts.

Jel and Time

"Mere-Glim wondered what would happen if he died. It was generally believed that Argonians had been given their souls by the Hist, and when one died, one's soul returned to them, to be incarnated once more. That seemed reasonable enough, under ordinary circumstances. In the deepest parts of his dreams or profound thinking were images, scents, tastes that the part of him that was sentient could not remember experiencing. The concept the Imperials called "time" did not even have a word in his native language. In fact, the hardest part of learning the language of the Imperials was that they made their verbs different to indicate when something happened, as if the most important thing in the world was to establish a linear sequence of events, as if doing so somehow explained things better than holistic apprehension."—The Infernal City

Jel completely lacks tense, and Argonians generally view all of life from birth to death as a single moment. Time is much more fluid to the Saxhleel. To them, time is an illusion established to create a linear version of events and is therefore considered a limited way of perceiving reality. In fact, the hardest challenge for Argonians learning other languages is getting used to the presence of past-tense and future-tense verbs. It's not that the Argonians have no concept of time at all, they simply view time differently from the other races.

Body Language

"Words hammered thought into shape, put it in cages, bound it in chains. Jel, the tongue of his ancestors—was the closest speech to real thought... —The Infernal City

"My tail whips from side to side, and yet you wish speak? Speak then." — Ereel-Jush, storyteller of Naga-Kur

Much of the Argonian language also relies on non-verbal communication or "body language" to convey meaning, which may be lost in translation for those unaccustomed to the Argonian's way of speaking. This difficulty in comprehension also goes in the other direction, where an inexperienced Argonian may have difficulty interpreting the emotions of an outsider. This mutual inability to decipher body language may be why Argonians speaking Tamrielic will often preface their statements with an emotional qualifier, seen most often in the form of "I erect the spine of ...".

The use of body language in communication becomes more prevalent in the more isolated Argonian tribes who have had little contact with the other races of Tamriel. An example is the Naga-Kur tribe, their representatives often consider it necessary to specify their non-verbal gestures as they speak with outsiders, though other Argonians can interpret them well enough.

Some examples of this include:
"I extend the claw of welcome, warrior." — General Dar-Liurz
"I shake my head in disbelief." — Raj-Kaal Seelan of the Naga-Kur
"I nod my head. Yes. ..." — Grave-Singer Ki-At of the Naga-Kur
"I recoil in mock disgust." — Utazaw of the Naga-Kur
"[...]My rage-quill is engorged!" — Chime-Maker Shuvu of the Bright-Throats

Word order appears to be completely fluid in Jel, with no linguistic markers to indicate case, or the head of a compound noun phrase. It may be that body language is required not only to indicate the emotional qualities of speech, but also basic grammar, and therefore it is highly necessary to incorporate in speech, which would explain references to it being a highly difficult language to learn for non-Argonians despite its relatively simple phonology.

Pronunciation

G in the beginning of a word is pronounced as a voiced velar plosive, as in "ground" — geeva /gi:va/.

X in most cases will be pronounced as [z] — xanmeer /zanmi:r/

H when set before an "l" serves as a connective voiceless consonant that is vocalized by Argonians on the breath-out. Known uses of "hl" in such a way exists in the word "Saxhleel", and tribe names utilizing the word "leel", such as "Su-Zahleel". — Su-Zahleel /su:zahli:l/.

Compound words

Compound words are common in Jel, generally consisting of an adjective and a noun or two nouns. Example:

• "Kajthux" — Ample serpent

Consists of:

• Kaj — Ample
• Thux — Snake or Serpent

Some compounds are written with hyphens. It is unknown if there is any semantic difference between these and other compounds. Example:

• "Deek-beeko" — Friend of youth

Consist of:

• Deek — Young, sapling
• Beeko — Friend

Jel Dictionary

This section contains known Jel words and their meanings.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ

A Ajum A woven tray with a netted lid, used e.g. for serving food Alten B Beeko Friend. Sometimes may be used sarcastically Beek-ojel Literally friend-outsider or non-Jel speaking friend Bijum Bok Bowl Bok-Xul Bowl of Death" Buseek C Chukka D Daril Literally seeing everything in ecstasy; a name for a drug Deek Young, sapling; little Deek-beeko Literally sapling-friend. Friend of youth, child-friend. Deelith One who passes wisdom to another Delaw Dimik Vivid Dooka Mature, adult E Eenu Ei possibly Eye, or Eyes (see Haj-Ei) F Fek Plant G Gah Basket (see Thtithil-gah - "egg basket") Gee Geel Gloor The pervasive will/desire/need of the Hist to engender multiple inevitabilities. Greel Enemy (used mostly for hostile creatures or outsiders) Gulvo Gulweet H Haj Hidden, or hides Haj mota Hidden hunter Hee-Tepsleel translation unknown; A tribe that raises crops for the Black-Tongue tribe's alchemical brews. Hej Vaporous (see hejsetha thtithik, hejsetha thtitleel, and hej xajhuthi kroni) Hejsetha Vaporous, floating (see "Hejsetha thtithik" and "Hejsetha thtitleel") Hejsetha thtithik Literally vaporous, floating egg hatcher; wispmother Hejsetha thtitleel Literally vaporous floating sphere; wisp Hej xajhuthi kroni Literally vaporous, dangerous crones. Translated less directly as "beware of witchlights" Hewei Odd Hoto Huptal I Ithix Iuheeez Wing folding. A manner in which butterfly wings are prepared into edible presentations Iyorth J Jel Jekka Jul Heart K Ka Apprentice Kaj Ample; giant; elder Kaj-jeke thota Ample stinging insect. Referring to a Giant Wasp Kajthux Ample serpent. Referring to a Giant Snake Kaju Dream-beast or sacred-beast. Kaoc A type of vulgar interjection Keshu Literally stands apart Ki Doll Krona Big, colossal. Typically used in jest or exaggeration Ku To bring about or allow Kuhupwo Mouth-talk. The rare phenomenon of a Hist tree speaking directly through speech Kuuda Idiot. Kujei Brother L Leel Tribe/people; often used to denote a group or a tribe (see Kota-Vimleel, Tum-Taleel, Wasseek-Haleel) Lukiul Assimilated. Used to signify an Argonian who has adapted to a non-Argonian culture M Mahleel Human Malgai Masu Big-mouthed reptile (see rormasu' and wamasu) Maxeem-urto A type of river clam Meht Possibly cracker (see Ixtaxh-thtithil-meht – "exact-Egg-Cracker") Mihuit Feathered Mota Hunt or hunter N Naga-Kur Dead-Water Nalduku Nalpa Literally rotten; bad (refers to something or someone of generally low quality) Nassa Probably leader (see Raj-nassa – "elder leader") Norg Forbidden. Not used often as most forbidden things are not spoken of Nushmeeko Lizard Nujei Sister O Oj Possibly denoting negation, judging by its use Ojei Possibly roughly meaning No-Eyes, referring to the fact that they are blind: Ojel Literally, not of Argonian tongue or non-speaker of Jel, marking somebody not of the tribe, an outsider. Sometimes used as an insult P Pahnjee Fumer, a rack of oily, spoiled meat to keep bog-blights at bay R Raj Elder Rajpu Reel-ka Warrior Reelsh Reezal Tainted Rormasu Literally big-mouthed reptile that blinks above the water. Referring to a crocodile Ruheeva Seemingly a greeting used for strangers S Sa unknown. Sakka Saxhleel Literally people of the Root. Referring to the Argonians, as well as eleventh month of the Argonian calendar Sei Possibly rite or ritual (see Vastei-Sei - "Ritual of Change", or chukka-sei - argonian rites of maturity). Seizo An exclamation, not necessarily of a bad connotation Shaja Semi-humanoid Shap Frog (see tsonashap - swimming frog) Sharith Sisei Sprout; the third month of the Argonian calendar T Tchee Teeba Ball Thtachalxan Literally Drykillers. Used to refer to Lilmoth's only non-Argonian guard unit in 4E 8. Thtal Thtithatei Egg-stomach. Used by some tribes in relation to procreation partnerships Thtithil Egg Thtithil-gah Egg basket. Seventh month of the Argonian calendar Thuxis Snake; also refers to one who is deceptive Toh Secret Topee-rajta Loosely meaning older than dirt Toteik Great (used sparingly for only particularly exceptional things) Tsetha Floating (see hejtsetha thtithik and hejtsetha thtitleel) Tsojei A word used to refer to Argonian weapons described as a cross between a sword or club. Tsoko Elderly, elder Tsona Swim or to swim Tumjum House-weaving. Usually allegorical. Tusik An Argonian weapon, similar to a Macuahuitl Tzel Place. Possibly also marking area or territory (see Norg-Tzel and Veeskhleel-Tzel) Tzilnech An insult. U Uvastuxith Nest-becoming. A term for a procreational partnership Ux A sacred mating practices of Argonians Uxith Nest, home, bed. These three concepts are one and the same to the Saxhleel Uxith-beeko Literally nest-friend. More directly a sexual partner V Vahat Unclean, or taboo Vakka Sun, as well as first month of the Argonian calendar Vakka-Shuxalt Vastei Change or transition Veesk Ghost (taken from Veeskhleel') Vexu-vit Persnickety. Somebody who is fussy or particular Vim Tongue (taken from "Vimleel") Voh-vastei Apprentice Vos Stone W Wamasu Roughly translated as big-mouthed reptile of blood lightning Wasseek-Haleel Bright-Throats Waxhuthi A type of vulgar interjection, when used in context it seems to mean "dammit" Wutulm Legend, used to describe a person Wuxa X Xal Sacred Xal-toh Sacred secret Xeech Nut or seed; the second month of the Argonian calendar Xhu Yes Xhuth A type of vulgar interjection (also spelled "xuth") Xouch Bee Xul Death or pertaining to death Xul-vaat Grave-stake. A stake pierced through a dead Argonian, telling a story of their life Xulomaht Deceased; the twelfth month of the Argonian calendar Xulunaht Possibly killing, massacre (from xul) Z Zaht Proper nouns For the complete list of Saxhleel names see the Argonian names article. This section contains known Jel names, titles, and other proper nouns. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ A Adzi-Kostleel (The name of an Argonian tribe) Atak The Great Root. The first thing to ever exist according to the oral tradition of the Adzi-Kostleel tribe. Atakota The evercoiling clinging of the Great Serpent and the Great Root according to the oral tradition of the Adzi-Kostleel tribe Aojee-sakka An exquisite soup. Lethal if eaten in the wrong manner C Chukka-sei A trial of maturation, upon completion of which, Argonians are considered to have come of age G Gee-Rusleel The Miredancers. A tribe of Murkmire H Haj-Ei Translates into Hides-His-Eyes. An Argonian name Hist-Deek Hist Sapling. Fourth month of the Argonian calendar Hist-Dooka Mature Hist. Fifth month of the Argonian calendar Hist-Tsoko Elderly Hist. Sixth month of the Argonian calendar I Ixtaxh-thtithil-meht Exact-Egg-Cracker. The name of a great stepped pyramid in Lilmoth J Jekka-wass Profession of the keeper of the Xinchei-Konu Jekka-wats Plural of Jekka-wass K Kaal War captain. A revered title, especially in more violent tribes Ka-deelith War-teacher. A title for the one responsible for training warriors Kota The name of the Great Serpent challenging the first Great Root accordingly to the oral tradition of the Adzi-Kostleel tribe. Kota-Vimleel Literally Black-Tongues. Denotes Black-Tongue tribe of Murkmire Krona-kaal A particularly skilled or famous war chief in the Dead-Water tribe Kronkassa Kronka-thatith Everything-Egg. Roughly refers to all land occupied by the Argonian tribes when used with the gesture meaning "wide-swamp." Ku-vastei A catalyst of change. Can be a person, a thing, or an occurrence but can be interpreted as "that which causes the necessary path for change to occur" "A ku-vastei is what sets things into motion again." M Mihuitleel Feathered people, a tribe from Solstice N Nagahssee Snake roll. A dish prepared in Murkmire consisting of a snake skin filled with various vegetables and a live mouse Naga-Kur The Dead-Water tribe of Murkmire Naheesh Tribal elder. Typically a position of wisdom, although not necessarily one of power Nisswo Nothing-speaker. Used to refer to priests of Sithis Norg-Tzel Literally forbidden place. A secluded island in southeastern Black Marsh Norg-vos Warning stone Nushmeeko Lizard; the ninth month of the Argonian calendar R Raj-beeko Literally elder friend. Or more likely, old friend (restores from: "raj" meaning "elder" and "beeko" meaning "friend"). Being used in conjunction. : Raj-deelith Literally elder teacher Raj-kaal Literally elder war captain, a war chief, a high military rank Raj-nassa Literally elder leader Ree-An-Wo Swallowed Grove S Saxhleel Literally people of the Root. Referring to the Argonians, as well as eleventh month of the Argonian calendar Seekhat-Xol native village of Keshu the Black Fin Shaja-Nushmeeko Literally Semi-humanoid lizard. Tenth month of the Argonian calendar Shunatei Literally translated as 'Regretful Stomach', it refers to the concept of being pained by focusing too much on what has come to pass, and worrying too much about the future. Shuulmtul Su-Zahleel T Tar-sakka Teeba-hatsei "Hip and tail ball". A popular Argonian sport Teeba-enoo Another popular Argonian sport Theilul A type of Argonian rum made from distilled sugar cane Thtithil-gah Egg basket. Seventh month of the Argonian calendar Tsono-Xuhil The name of Mazzatun's Hist. Tsonashap Literally "swimming frog" Tsona-Geeva Tum-Taleel Literally "Root-House People. Denoting the Root-House tribe in Murkmire Tutan-wei U Ux-deelith A tribe member leading the practice of ux, a sacred mating ritual V Vakka Sun. Also the first month of the Argonian calendar. Vakka-Bok Bowl of the Sun. An ancient Argonian ruin in northern Murkmire. Vakka-Shuxalt Sun-Eater. name of devotees to the vampire Shuxaltsei. Vastei-Sei Ritual of Change Veeskhleel Literally, the Ghost People. Denoting Ghost-People tribe of Murkmire Voss Vossa-satl An organ/bagpipe-like instrument popular in Murkmire, played with live frogs of various species. W Wasseek-Haleel Literally the Bright-Throats. A tribe of Murkmire Wazeithi Wuju-ka Wuthilul Translates into Mere-Glim. An Argonian name X Xal-Krona Sacred colossal, also called Argonian Behemoth. Xal-fek Sacred plant. Fourteen plants considered sacred to the Black-Tongue tribe Xal Ithix Sacred unknown. a settlement in Shadowfen, named after the nearby ruins. Xal-thtithil Sacred egg Xal-uxith Sacred nest. Where Argonian eggs are tended to Xal-vastei Sacred change. Created at Xinchei-Konu monument Xanmeer A term for the ancient stepped pyramids found in Black Marsh Xeech'ki Seed doll. A wood figurine typically carved by members of Bright-Throat Tribe, depicting local animals or tiny Argonians Xinchei-Konu An ancient Argonian calendar. Also refers to the monument constructed for it Xiniss An Argonian village in Black Marsh Xit-Xaht An Argonian tribe which resides in the Ruins of Mazzatun Xochipalli Presumably the name of a poisonous plant found in Murkmire Xoxoctic Presumably the name of a poisonous plant found in Murkmire Xul-Axith Death-unknown. An ancient city made of black stone found in Black Marsh Xul-mota Death-hunt. A challenging hunt for a dangerous beast Xulneihavu Xul-Axith Xul-Thuxis Snake-Means-Death City. Literally death snake, an ancient Argonian city in northern Murkmire Xulomaht The Deceased. As well as twelfth month of the Argonian calendar Xulunaht Sentences "Gulvo vakka-lo Kajin-Jat!" "Vakka reelsh vastei buseek xal!" "Delaw ruheeva wuxa vastei bok tar-sakka!" "Pah tzel tchee uvastei jel xul-uxith." "Ruheeva u xul-vahat!" "Sa kot xulneihavu! Sithis tchee shu kronkassa." "Sa tchee shu u vakka." "U Hist-greel kota norg-xeech." "Ruheeva u xul-vahat!" "Waxhuthi! Norgsa oj!" "Xulunaht voss!" Notes A language referred to as Jen was spoken by Mere-Glim after seeing Umbriel for the first time. Annaïg Hoïnart described it as a 'deeply ambiguous tongue' and claimed that she could easily prescribe over ten meanings to the short phrase that Mere-Glim muttered as a consequence of the tongue's vagueness. It is unknown what relation Jen has to Jel, but it is unlikely that they are the same, as Annaïg was a capable Jel speaker. However, as "Jen" is never referred to at any other time, it is also possible it is merely a typographical error. References Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.