Primer on Plemyan
Plemyan as it is spoken today is a lot like Gaelic. The language was created by the original settlers of Totemreach and was spoken in every village for the first 20 years after it was founded. As communication with the outside world opened up through Kafervolk caravans or via newcomers to Totemreach, the common tongue became more prevalent and Plemyan became a language spoken largely in the home. The biggest drop off in use was during the Salidarah Reformation, when the Pioneer’s followers made it a point of their vision to distance themselves from the old ways of Totemreach–including written and spoken Plemyan.
There are still several practitioners and speakers of Plemyan throughout Totemreach, but they are mostly found in remote Plemya following the philosophy of the Gardener. To instill a sense of culture and history into newer generations, many schools or apprenticeships will involve some sort of language learning. This will usually culminate in a short conversation with the teacher in Plemyan and possibly reciting some of the famous sayings of Totemreach in Plemyan. Many will remember trying to learn the language and most will forget how to use it (much like how people might take several years of a language in school and barely be able to speak it years later).
There are a few who took a liking to the language when they were young. Particularly in Lisdarah, there are scholars who have made it their life’s purpose to teach the language and keep it alive. Some may even travel far to teach the language to the next generation and to any others interested in learning it.
Out of Game Note
Plemyan is a constructed language using English grammatical structure with a vocab derived from Ukrainian/Russian, Dutch, Arabic, Welsh, and Latin translations of individual words. It very much is a work in progress and much of the work invested into this language comes from interest in the language itself both in game and out of game. Due to this, please be graceful of any gaps in vocab or inconsistencies in grammar that may arise in speaking Plemyan. I am trying my best to address any issues of this passion project. Additionally, this is my first time trying to make a constructed language to have within a fantasy world and would appreciate any help in the making of this language.
Outside of those considerations, if there is a word or phrase you think would be helpful to add to the language, please let me know via discord. It would be very helpful for this constructed language to become a collaborative process. If you have ideas of what a Plemyan word could be, please contact me so we can discuss it. If it doesn’t conflict with any previously conceived words or phrases, there is a good chance I will add it to the language.
Ethan
Common Sayings translated into Plemyan
- Do not act on your own accord. Listen to the earth and trust its guidance.
Non diyat tariq voso hariza. Slukhaty tu Aldwa ohn dovira.- Thank the wren for telling you what’s around, ward the wind for disguising footfalls.
Danke te alnamnina dat vertellem vos opasnosti okolo, vloek te veter dat verbergen stupnyaquts.- A red sky in the morning is a hunters warning. A clear sky in the night is hunters delight.
Rood sama tariq te ochtend es blaith rhybudd. Yasno sama tariq ten ich es Blaith genot.
Common Everyday Phrases Translated into Plemyan
| Common Word / Phrase | Plemyan Translation |
|---|
| Hello |
Priveo
|
| Hi |
Priv [PREEV] |
| Good morning/afternoon/evening |
Dobre ochtend/middaag/nich |
| Nice to meet you/Well Met |
Dobre ontmoet |
| How are you? |
Yak esse vos? |
| What’s your name? |
mada voso naam? |
| My name is… |
Meus naam… |
| Pleased to meet you |
Masroor zustrit vos |
| How do you do? |
Yak robit vos robity? |
| Good to see you |
Dobre leire vos |
| How have you been? |
Yak hebben vos essen? |
| What brings you here? |
mada lejma vos? |
| Where are you from? |
Waar es voso darah? |
| What do you do? |
Mada robit vos robity? |
| Do you know Plemyan? |
Robit vos znati Plemyana? |
| I do not speak Plemyan |
Ael non spreken Plemyana |
| I only speak Common |
Ael tilki speken Shaye/Common |
| Yes, I speak Plemyan |
Ja, Ael spreken Plemyana |
| How do you say … in Plemyan? |
Yak robit vos spreken … tariq Plemyana? |
| Please |
Masro |
| Thank you |
Danke vos |
| Good bye (Good/Happy Trails) |
Dobre pads |
| Oh my gods! |
Ah meus bogiv! |
| Gods be damned (Gods be evil) |
bogiv esse shir [sheer] |
