Siaru
Siaru (PR:/siɑɹu/) is the language spoken in Ceald in Temerant, the world of the Kingkiller Chronicle. It is spoken by several of the main characters in the Chronicle, including Kilvin, Kvothe and Wilem. As a result it is the most commonly used language after Aturan. The Cealdish accent is described as 'Eastern European' close to Slovakian, rather than Yiddish.
Vocabulary
Words
Below is a list of all the known words. Speculation is marked with an asterisk (*).
| Word | Meaning | Linguistic Context |
|---|---|---|
| Aerin | Kilvin uses it in a phrase which includes 'shit in', 'beard' and 'of God' in the definition. It therefore means one of these. | (TWMF:21) |
| basha | bisexual | Wilem defines it as 'a man who is intimate with both women and men?', so it seems to be solely masculine.(TWMF:18) |
| brevetan | Kilvin uses it in a phrase which includes 'shit in', 'beard' and 'of God' in the definition. It therefore means one of these | (TWMF:21) |
| chan | seven* | Kilvin uses it as the second word of a phrase which Kvothe's translates word-for-word as 'seven years... ', suggesting that the first two words: chan and vaen mean 'seven' and 'years' respectively.(TNOTW:67) It is also very similar to 'chaen', which is Tema for seven.(TNOTW:12) |
| crayle | d~mn* / sh~t* / f~ck* | Sworn by Kvothe(TWMF:32) and Denna(TWMF:72) with kist. Sworn by Kilvin with kist ... en kote.(TWMF:21) (PR:/'kreɪl/) |
| edan | every* / expect* | Kilvin finishes Kvothe's translation of a sentence with it in as 'expect disaster every seven years'. Kvothe starts to translate it word-for-word as 'seven years... ', so we can assume that chan and vaen mean 'seven' and 'years'.(TNOTW:67) Kote is also used in a swearing so it is a noun and thus 'disaster',(TWMF:21) which leaves 'expect' and 'every'. It makes more sense for it to be 'every', since the meaning of 'expect' can be implied, whereas the meaning of 'every' cannot, since it states how often something happens, whereas if you are told how often something happens, it can be assumed that you will expect it. 'Disaster every seven years' makes more sense than 'expect disaster seven years'. If, however, the meaning of 'every' is contained within vaen, then it must mean 'expect'.(TNOTW:67) |
| embrula | Female fae | Wilem defines it as 'Faen women', so it may only refer to mature female fae.(TWMF:38) |
| en | and* | Kilvin swears the phrase 'kist, crayle en kote', which seems to be a list. If lists are the same in Siaru and Aturan, it stands to reason that it means 'and'. It is also only one syllable and begins with a vowel, making it similar. (TWMF:21) |
| -et | in* / of* | Kilvin uses it as a suffix of kraem in a phrase which includes both 'shit in' and 'of God' in the definition. We can deduce from other uses of kraem that it means 'shit' or 'God', so -et therefore means either 'in' or 'of'.(TWMF:21) |
| gatessor | gaelet / loan shark(TWMF:23) | Wilem defines it as a 'loaner'.(TWMF:38) |
| keh | no* | Wilem uses it as a negative.(TWMF:36) |
| Ketha | coal* | Kvothe asks Keth-Selhan 'tu Ketha?' meaning 'are you coal?'. It may somehow also carry the verb 'to be' (see tu).(TNOTW:71) |
| ket- | first* | A tinker tells Kvothe that 'Ket-Selem' means 'first night'.(TNOTW:71) |
| keth- | one* | A tinker tells Kvothe that 'Keth-Selhan' means 'one sock'.(TNOTW:71) |
| kist | d~mn* / sh~t* / f~ck* | Sworn alone by a Cealdish man and Denna(TWMF:43). Sworn by Kvothe(TWMF:32) and Denna(TWMF:72) with crayle. Sworn by Kilvin with crayle en kote.(TWMF:21) (PR:/kɪst/) |
| kote | disaster* | Kilvin swears it with kist, crayle en(TWMF:21), suggesting that it is a noun, both by the suggested meanings of the other words, and by the existence of phrases in other languages such as 'blood, bracken, and bone'.(TWMF:104) He also finishes Kvothe's translation of a sentence including it as 'expect disaster every seven years'. Kvothe starts to translate it word-for-word as 'seven years... ', suggesting that 'Chan' and 'Vaen' mean 'seven' and 'years'. Since the only other noun is 'disaster', it means that.(TNOTW:67) Kvothe also changes his name to kote, and it makes more sense for it to mean 'disaster' than 'years'.(TNOTW:1) (PR:/koʊt/) |
| kraem | God* / sh~t* | Kilvin and Wilem both use it in conjunction with an emphatic 'no', suggesting it means 'God', 'shit' or 'fuck' as in 'God, no', 'shit, no' or 'fuck, no'.(TNOTW:36)(TWMF:20) Wilem also uses it by itself before 'it makes sense', suggesting it also can be used to mean 'wow'.(TWMF:27) Kilvin uses the word 'Kraemet' in a phrase which includes both 'shit in' and 'of God' in the definition. It therefore means either 'shit' or 'God'.(TWMF:21) (PR:/'kɹeɪ.ɛm/) |
| -lish | -less* / -y* | Wilem uses this as a suffix of kraem to describe the word 'bastards', suggesting that it is an insult when used in conjunction with kraem, either meaning 'godless', 'sh~tty' or something like 'sh~tful'.(TNOTW:37) |
| leviriet | sunny | Elodin defines it.(TWMF:11) |
| lhin | right* / okay* | Wilem uses this at the end of a statement to clarify it, giving it a similar meaning to 'okay?', 'right?', or 'yes?'(TNOTW:54) Kaerva uses it at the start of a sentence after telling himself, 'right', suggesting that he would define it thus or as 'right then'.(TNOTW:71) Kvothe also uses it to reply to Kilvin, after he says 'Lhinsatva?'.(TWMF:44) |
| lhinsatva | alright* | Kilvin uses it to ask Kvothe if he agrees with him, suggesting it means 'agreed', 'okay,' or 'alright'.(TWMF:44) Kvothe uses it in the same way to Kaerva.(TNOTW:71) Wilem uses it by itself to agree with Viari, so it can be used as an affirmation too.(TNOTW:61) Kilvin uses it by itself before saying 'enough is enough', suggesting it means something like 'okay' or 'alright'.(TNOTW:67) |
| mahne | shadow* | Kvothe asks Keth-Selhan 'Tu mahne?' meaning 'are you shadow?'. It may somehow also carry the verb 'to be' (see tu).(TNOTW:71) |
| nia | no* | Wilem uses it as a negative response(TWMF:36) and as a rhetorical end to a statement, like 'we are going now, no?'.(TWMF:39) |
| patu | boot | Wilem defines it.(TWMF:38) |
| rieusa | thank you* | Kvothe uses it as an introductory word in two phrases which both include 'thank you' in their definitions.(TNOTW:32)(TNOTW:36) |
| Sehlan | sock | A tinker defines it.(TNOTW:71) |
| Selem | night* | A tinker tells Kvothe that 'Ket-Selem' means 'first night'.(TNOTW:71) |
| sheyem | balanced | Wilem forgets the word and Kvothe guesses it correctly.(TNOTW:41) |
| tevetbem | crossbow | Kilvin forgets the Aturan for a moment and says the Siaru to help him remember. He comes up with 'flatbow', although he means 'crossbow'. Kvothe doesn't correct him.(TWMF:44) |
| tu | you (sg)* | Kvothe repeatedly asks Keth-Selhan what his name is, changing only the noun each time. Thus 'tu [noun]? ' asks 'are you [something]?'.(TNOTW:71) Other uses of it don't use of the verb 'to be', suggesting that it just means 'you'.(TNOTW:32) All uses of it are in the singular.(TNOTW:36)(TNOTW:61) |
| tua | your* | Used in a phrase which includes 'your' in the definition.(TNOTW:32) It is very close to tu, which makes sense from an etymological perspective. Other uses are not defined, but are informal and singular in person.(TNOTW:61) |
| tuan | your* | Used in a phrase which includes 'your' in the definition.(TNOTW:32) It is very close to tu and tua, which makes sense from an etymological perspective. Singular in person.(TNOTW:41) |
| turen | you (pl)* | Wilem uses it to talk to both Simmon and Kvothe.(TWMF:36) It is very close to tu, which makes sense from an etymological perspective. |
| Vaen | years* | Kilvin uses it as the second word of a phrase which Kvothe's translates word-for-word as 'seven years... ', suggesting that the first two words: chan and Vaen mean 'seven' and 'years' respectively.(TNOTW:67) |
| vecarum | judiciary powers | Wilem forgets the Aturan for a moment and says the Siaru to help him remember. He then defines it. (TWMF:37) |
| vhenata | me neither* / nor me* | Used when Wilem excludes himself as well as some others.(TWMF:32) |
Phrases
Below is a list of all the Siaru phrases in the Chronicle.
| Phrase | Meaning (if given) | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Chan Vaen edan Kote. | Expect disaster every seven years. | Saying by Kilvin.(TNOTW:67) |
| Edamete tass | The Edema Drip | Referring to the disease nemserria, seems to be also derogatory towards the Edema Ruh.(TNOTW:60) |
| Eda Stiti? | next to fire?* | Kvothe repeats the last two words of a phrase spoken by Wilem, then says 'you sleep next to fire?', suggesting the words mean 'next to fire'.(TWMF:36) |
| Kella trelle turen navor ka. | Wilem says it to Simmon and Kvothe after suggesting that they sit in the forest, after the former says he doesn't feel up to walking over a bridge. It makes them laugh.(TWMF:36) | |
| Ket-Selem | First Night / Twilight(TNOTW:71) | |
| Kist, crayle, en kote | Seems to be a series of curse words, see kist and kote.(TWMF:21)(TWMF:32)(TWMF:43)(TWMF:72) | |
| Kraemet brevetan Aerin. | Shit in God's beard. | A swearing by Kilvin.(TWMF:21) |
| Lhinsatva. Tua kverein. | Wilem says this in response to Viari's greeting(TNOTW:61) | |
| Lhin ta Lu soren hea. | Kvothe says this while testing Chronicler's cypher.(TNOTW:7) | |
| Melosi rehu eda Stiti. | We sleep next to fire. | Wilem says it to Kvothe. By 'we' he means 'Cealdish husbands/men', so it may be solely male. Kvothe repeats the last two words, then says 'you sleep next to fire?', suggesting they mean 'next to fire'.(TWMF:36) |
| Rieusa, tu kialus A'isha tua. | Thank you for bringing me close to your family.(TNOTW:32) | |
| Rieusa, ta krelar deala tu. | Not very well, thank you.(TNOTW:36) | |
| Soheketh ka Siaru krema'teth tu? | How well do you speak Siaru?(TNOTW:36) | |
| Tetalia tu Kiaure edan A'siath. | Viari says this to Wil in greeting.(TNOTW:61) | |
| Tuan volgen oketh ama. | Don't put a spoon in your eye over it / don't let it make you crazy | It means "don't let it make you crazy."(TNOTW:41) |
| Tu Ketha? | Are you coal?(TNOTW:71) | |
| Tu mahne? | Are you a shadow?(TNOTW:71) | |
| Tu Keth-Selhan? | Are you One Sock?(TNOTW:71) | |
| Tu kralim. | Wilem uses it as a sort of of playful insult to Simmon.(TNOTW:52) | |
| Ve vanaloi. Tu teriam keta. Palan te? | Kvothe says this to Keth-Selhan when trying to determine the horse's name.(TNOTW:71) | |
| Vorelan tua tetam. | Viari says this to Wilem in greeting.(TNOTW:61) |
Imperfect Aturan by Siaru speakers
Often when a native speaker of Siaru speaks Aturan imperfectly, it shows the differences between Siaru and Aturan.
| Phrase (sic.) | Correct Aturan | Context |
|---|---|---|
| We should go the Medica | We should go to the Medica | Wilem is shocked by Kothe's malfeasance so takes on a thicker Cealdish accent and starts to 'drop words'.(TWMF:23) |
| David | Devi | Wilem's thick Cealdish accent makes 'Day-vee' sound like 'Day-vid'.(TWMF:23) |
| Ka-voth-ee | Kvothe | A Cealdish man delivers Kvothe Denna's letter and pronounces his name slowly thus.(TWMF:43) |
| You him? | Are you him? | A Cealdish man says this to Kvothe. Likely correct use of informal Aturan, as the rest of his speech is perfect.(TWMF:43) |
Grammar*
*All grammar is supposed and therefore speculation.
Word order
The word order is loosely subject-verb-object, or SVO. The last word in the sentence is often a noun, specifically the object of the sentence. Adjectives are placed after the noun.
Examples
In the sentence Chan Vaen edan Kote' (expect disaster every seven years), 'Kote' (disaster), the object, is placed at the end of the sentence'.(TNOTW:67)
In the main clause of the sentence 'Rieusa, tu kialus A'isha tua' (thank you for bringing me close to your family), the first word is 'tu' (you), which is the subject of the sentence. The last words 'A'isha tua' (your family), are the object of the sentence, and the possessive adjective 'tua' (your (sg)) is placed after the noun'. That leaves 'kilaus' (close to / bringing me), which is in the middle of the sentence, and is either the verb or the preposition.(TNOTW:32)
Articles
Siaru doesn't make use of 'the' or 'a'.
Example
The sentence 'Tu mahne?' (Are you a shadow?)' doesn't have an equivalent for the indefinite article 'a.(TNOTW:71)
Capitalization
Words are either capitalized because they are proper nouns, the first word in the sentence, or the object of the sentence. Pronouns and possessive adjectives are only ever capitalized when at the start of the sentence. Words that would be preceded by the indefinite article 'a' are not capitalized.
Examples
In the sentence Sokeketh ka Siaru krema'teth tu?' (how well do you speak Siaru?), 'Siaru', a proper noun, is capitalized'.(TNOTW:36)
In the sentence Chan Vaen edan Kote' (expect disaster every seven years), 'Kote' (disaster), the object of the sentence is capitalized'.(TNOTW:67)
In the main clause of the sentence 'Rieusa, tu kialus A'isha tua' (thank you for bringing me close to your family), A'isha' (family) is capitalized, and it is the object of the sentence. 'tua', the possessive adjective, is not capitalized'. 'Rieusa' (thank you), the first word in the sentence, is capitalized.(TNOTW:32)
The last word in the sentence 'Tu mahne?' (Are you a shadow?) is preceded by 'a' in Aturan, and is uncapitalized. Contrast with 'Tu Ketha?' (Are you coal?), which is not preceded by 'a' in Aturan, and is capitalized.(TNOTW:71)
Zero copula
It seems from many examples of straightforward sentences, such as 'Tu Ketha?', 'Tu mahne?', 'Tu Keth-Selhan?',(TNOTW:71) and 'Tu kralim.'(TNOTW:52), that the verb 'to be' is often left out, if not always. This practice is common in many real-world languages and is called Zero copula. It it difficult to say if this is always the case, or just in questions, since we don't get any defined uses of the verb in more complicated or formal sentences.
Zero prepositions
Wilem's imperfect Aturan: 'We should go the Medica' ommits the proposition 'to', suggesting that it is not present in Siaru.(TWMF:23)
Lists
The only instance of a list is 'Kist, crayle, en kote'(TWMF:21), which is clearly a list as it has single words separated by commas. This seems to be identical to how lists are written in Aturan, finishing with an 'and' before the final word. Unsurprisingly, it uses the serial comma.
Etymology
It's possible that the name "Siaru" comes from the Arabic شِعَارُ, šiʿāru, meaning slogan, motto, or battle cry.