Ta'agra is the language spoken by the Khajiit of Elsweyr. Although natives of Elsweyr can typically speak Tamrielic, it is not uncommon for Khajiit to interject Ta'agra words or phrases into their sentences.
When speaking in Tamrielic, Khajiit also tend to use notably distinct speech patterns and terms, a form of Khajiiti Tamrielic dialect. They also have recognizably distinct names, often combined with honorific prefixes and suffixes.
The word "khajiit" is derived from the Ta'agra words "khaj" and "-iit", khaj meaning "sand" or "desert" and the suffix -iit indicating an occupation or place of residence. As such, khajiit might be translated as "desert-dweller" or "one who works in a desert"—but since all one commonly does in a desert is walk, khajiit is normally translated as "desert-walker", a term often used when referring to Khajiit.[UOL 1]
PhonologyEdit
ConsonantsEdit
| Bilabial | Labio-Dental | Dental | Alveolar | Post-Alveolar | Palatal | Velar | Uvular | Glottal | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plosive | Voiceless | p ‹p› | t ‹t› | k ‹k› | q ‹q› | ʔ ‹'› | ||||
| Voiced | b ‹b› | d ‹d› | g ‹g› | |||||||
| Nasal | m ‹m› | n ‹n› | ||||||||
| Fricative | Voiceless | f ‹f› | θ ‹th› | s ‹s› | ʃ ‹sh› | h ‹h› | ||||
| Voiced | v ‹v› | z ‹z› | ʒ ‹j› | |||||||
| Approximant | w ‹w› | r ‹r› | j ‹y› | |||||||
| Lateral | l ‹l› |
- Glottal /h/ may be realized as pharyngeal [ħ]. In word-initial position, /ʒ/ is realized as [dʒ]. Consonants have phonemic length in simple coda position.
- Aspiration is prominent and phonemic throughout the language and may occur with any non-alveolar obstruent as indicated with ‹h›.
VowelsEdit
| Front | Back | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Close | i | u | |
| Mid | e | o | |
| Open | a | ||
Vowel length is phonemic.
Three diphthongs, two rising (/aʊ/ ‹au› and /aɪ/ ‹ai›) and one falling (/ʊa/ ‹ua›) have thusfar been attested. When other diphthongs are formed by affixation, they tend to be separated with a glottal stop ‹ˈ›, though glottal stops may be omitted from the language in casual speech and those diphthongs may be allowed to form. They do not seem to appear in isolated morphemes.
/e:/ may be written ‹ay›, ‹ae› or ‹ey›, and /e/ word-finally written ‹ei›, to avoid confusion.
NounsEdit
Nouns are inflected for case:
| Case | Prefix |
|---|---|
| Locative | in- |
| Dative | da- |
| Instrumental | wo- |
Another possible case prefix is "ka'-" which might be described as causal or postessive, indicating that the verb occurs after, or because of the noun stem. More evidence is needed for confirmation.
Ta'agra has no genitive case: genitive constructs are formed simply by preceding a noun with its owner (a pronoun or another noun).
VerbsEdit
Verbs are inflected for person, aspect (perfective, imperfective, inchoative), and mood (olitive, potential, energetic). There may be others, but these are evidenced.
- The suffix -oh marks negation. *-kho following -o.
PersonEdit
| Person | Affix |
|---|---|
| 2 | ko- |
| 3 | –ba |
As suggested in Lore:Strange Inscription, it is unlikely that Ta'agra has a first person pronoun or affix, instead using the third person where other languages would use the first person.
AspectEdit
| Aspect | Affix |
|---|---|
| Perfective | –ka |
| Imperfective* | –(i)r |
| Inchoative | –ta |
- The imperfective might possibly be the form for imperative constructions, but more data is needed.
MoodEdit
| Mood | Affix |
|---|---|
| Volitive | –kasash |
| Potential | –t |
| Energetic | –zeri |
DerivationEdit
Noun/Verb > Active Person: -iit
Noun/Verb > means: -iitay
Noun > Adjective: -i
Noun > Verb: -ith
Noun > Respected: -ra
Verb > Noun: -'do
SyntaxEdit
If we can presume it has remained largely unchanged over the eras, Ta'agra grammar is quite nuanced, particularly in marking of person. The first person does not exist, which leads to some verbal gymnastics in ensuring clarity in to whom the speaker is referring. Some speakers speak in SVO largely in what would otherwise be considered an irrealis, making their speech sound very tentative or hypothetical, whether ironically or not. The sometimes-lack of verbal affixes to mark person (ko- and -ba) seems linked to this "indicative irrealis".
Ta'agra has a moderately flexible (usually) SOV word order and is by and large pre-specifying (head-final). The language is pro-drop in reference to subject.
Irrealis (imperative, subjunctive, questions, etc.) is formed with the SVO word order.
WordsEdit
Known words and phrases from Ta'agra, with definitions where known. Uncertain translations have a question mark: (?).
AEdit
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BEdit
CEdit
DEdit
EEdit
|
FEdit
GEdit
|
|
HEdit
|
IEdit
- Iko
- After/To be after
- Iiliten
- Girl
- Iit
- Walk
- Isa
- Daylight
- Isii
- Come
JEdit
|
KEdit
|
|
LEdit
MEdit
NEdit
OEdit
|
PEdit
|
QEdit
REdit
|
|
SEdit
TEdit
|
UEdit
|
VEdit
WEdit
|
XEdit
YEdit
- Yajira
- Copy, Mimic
ZEdit
|
NamesEdit
- For more information, see Khajiit Names.
Khajiit names mostly describe the talents or skills of the to-be-named. In the games of Arena and Daggerfall Khajiit also had family names. However, since Redguard this concept is no longer followed. Legends once again introduced a Khajiit with a possible family name.
Sometimes Khajiit take a byname or nickname with meaning, either Cyrodilic or in Ta'agra. They can be taken additionally to the Khajiiti name, either as suffix (e.g. M'Aiq the Liar or Ra'zaym Iron-Ear), or a prefix (e.g. Krin Ren-dro or Sugar-Lips Habasi). Nicknames also can be used in appropriate situation, but note that they do not replace the name entirely. (e.g. Eats-Spiders or Kink-Tail). In this case, they never have an honorific added.
The suffix -morna is added to the names of Moon-Singers and Twilight Cantors that have succumbed to the Bent Dance of Namiira and become a Rajaska, a special type of dro-m'Athra.
HonorificsEdit
Another important aspect of Khajiit names are honorifics, more commonly among males than females. They reflect their status in life or society, and can change accordingly. Thus, it is considered improper and insulting to apply a wrong honorific. Commonly a Khajiit takes up just one honorific at a time, as using two either shows great ignorance or great pride. They also sometimes are given in terms of endearment, banter or deceit. Rarely, even non-Khajiit take up Khajiit honorifics.
Honorifics are usually a prefix before a Khajiit's name, usually separated by an apostrophe, uncommonly a hyphen, or rarely without separation. During the mid-Second Era however, suffixed honorifics were the norm, separated by a hyphen, with prefixed honorifics being seen as a fashionable fad among the youth of Alabaster. If a honorific is taken as prefix, they can be shortened to one letter. Suffixed honorifics never are shortened. Ta'agra names can also contain apostrophes or hyphens, which does not necessarily make parts of names an honorific.
Capitalization in Khajiit names with honorifics varies: The name after a prefix can have either a capital or minuscule first letter, while suffixes are usually—but not always—in minuscule. Honorifics are usually gender-specific, though gender-swapped honorifics exist.
The meanings of the pre- and suffixes are as follows, though usually just one might apply:
| Male | Female | Short Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| dar | daro | — | Most ancient title; nimble fingered, lithe of tongue, inquisitive, acquisitive, clever |
| do | do | — | Rarely taken by females; master of Khajiiti martial arts, renowned warrior, guard of the Mane |
| dro | dra | — | Wise and witted, elder, patriarch or matriarch, grandparent |
| ja / ji1 | — | J | Young adult, bachelor, unexperienced |
| jo | ko | — | Graceful, wizard, physician, scholar |
| — | la | — | Unmarried, graceful maiden, virgin |
| ma | ma | M | Child, virgin, apprentice, unexperienced |
| ra | ra | R | Rarely taken by females; leader of soldiers, trade or governance |
| ri | ri | — | Rarely taken by females, rarely awarded title for great leaders; chieftain, king, speaker, Mane |
| sa2 | sa2 | S | Adult |
| — | ka3 | — | Unknown meaning |
1 This honorific is never used.
2 This honorific is not mentioned in the references, but used in multiple names. Since females with S' prefix exist, it may also apply as suffix honorific for them.
3 This honorific is not mentioned in the references, but used in multiple names.
AEdit
DEdit
- -dar
- Thief (Masculine) This appellation is not meant to imply a criminal, but rather, one who is clever, or else, particularly gifted with their hands.[44][68]
- -daro
- Thief (Feminine) Someone who can nimbly acquire loose items, like coins. They are known for their expertise in speech.[68]
- -do
- Warrior. (Masculine/Feminine) This title is rarely used by modern Khajiit, for warriors, save it be for the Mane's personal guards, and masters of Goutfang, Whispering Claw, and Rawlith Khaj.[44][68]
- -dro
- Grandfather, Wise Elders, Patriarch. (Masculine) It is meant as a sign of respect.[44][68]
- -dra
- Grandmother. (Feminine) Someone known for their wisdom and wit, or someone of a respectable old age.[68]
FEdit
GEdit
- Gi- [70]
IEdit
- -iit
- Is used to state where one lives, and is also used to define one's job. For example, budiit (budi + -iit) means tailor.[UOL 1]
- -'iitay
- Is used to state where someone once lived in. For example, Senchal'iitay (Senchal + -'iitay) means "one who lived in Senchal."[UOL 1]
JEdit
- J-, Ji-, or Ja-
- A bachelor or young adult. In the common vernacular, it means one who is young and lacks experience.[44]
- -Jo
- Wizard, Scholars, and Physicians. (Masculine)[44][68]
KEdit
LEdit
- -la
- Unmarried Maiden, or those that behave so. (Feminine)[68]
MEdit
- -M or -Ma
- Child or apprentice. (Feminine)[44] Normally endearing, unless it is used in contempt.[68]
- -morna
- Implies the Khajiit has succumbed to the Bent Dance of Namiira and become dro-m'Athra.[71]
PEdit
- Pa- [39]
QEdit
- Qa- [72]
REdit
- -Ra
- Used to imply great status, used for leaders of soldiers, trade, and governance. (Masculine)[44]
- -Raht [10]
- -Ri
- Used to imply great status, it is rarely awarded, reserved for leaders like the Speaker, the Mane, or Kings. (Masculine)[44]
SEdit
- S-
- Adult or an adult.[44]
TEdit
- Ta-
VEdit
- -Var
- [7]
YEdit
- Ya- [39]
ZEdit
Tamrielic DialectEdit
Between the first and second eras, Khajiit's speech in both Ta'agra and Tamrielic grew closer, as Ta'agra acquired aspects from Tamrielic, and their speech in Tamrielic grew more dialectal, borrowing from the structure of Ta'agra.[74]
This resulted in speech patterns such as talking in passive voice, in the third person ("This one"),[75], and phrasing questions as a statement, followed by "yes?" or "no?". So "Have you traveled far to see me?" becomes "You have traveled far to see this one, yes?"[76]
They also have additional dialectal and vernacular terms and phrases in their Tamrielic speech (see also Exclamations and Profanity):
AEdit
BEdit
- bright moons
- similar but not identical in use to "good luck!". "Bright Moons look over us today, walker."[77]
CEdit
- clawless
- see Profanity
DEdit
- dark moons
- similar to "bad luck!", or "oh dear!"[78]
- dull-clawed
- an insult for someone non-threatening or unskilled. As with most such insults, can be phrased differently, such as "your claws are dull".[79]
- dung
- a contemptuous noun.[80]
- dungy
- a contemptuous adjective.[81]
EEdit
FEdit
- Fire-cat
- Mehrunes Dagon.
- five-claw
- flat-pawed
- Likely similar to "flat-footed".[82]
GEdit
HEdit
- hissing
- an adjectival curse.[82]
IEdit
JEdit
KEdit
LEdit
MEdit
- (the) moons
- A term for "Jone and Jode", often called on in blessings, oaths and expletives.
- mud-legs
- [78]
NEdit
- noble-walker
- Overly respectful form of "walker"[83]
OEdit
PEdit
- Pride
- A term to denote a clan, family, or pack. The original sixteen kingdoms were also called prides.[84] A pack of senche-lions can also be called prides.[85] Instead of a bandit clan, they are known as a bandit pride.[86]
QEdit
REdit
SEdit
- Sands Behind the Stars
- [87]
- seven shadows
- A synecdoche for Rajhin, who has seven shadows. Used as a expletive: "Seven shadows, it worked!"[6]
- sleek
- elegant and attractive, of a person or setting[88].
- shaveskin
- A vocative epithet for non-Khajiit.[89][90]
TEdit
UEdit
- unclawed
- non-khajiit[93], defenseless/non-threatening[94] or lacking martial skill[95]. To a khajiit, a deadly insult.[96]. Implies innate inability, slightly distinct from "dull-clawed", which implies failure to be sharp.
VEdit
WEdit
- walker
- A vocative, meaning one who walks. Can imply a traveler, but is inclusive and welcoming, lacking the negative connotations of "outsider" or "stranger", given the Khajiiti cultural connotations of all being desert-walkers. However, it can also be used in hostile contexts.[97] Not necessarily used literally: it is used even when you are riding.[98]
- Warm sands
XEdit
YEdit
ZEdit
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Burnt Scripture from ESO: Scalebreaker
- ^ a b c d e f Thannar the Graveprowler's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
- ^ a b c d e Words of Clan Mother Ahnissi — Clan Mother Ahnissi
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Ahzirr Traajijazeri — Anonymous
- ^ a b c d e f g h Viti's Notes: Song of Binding — High Cantor Viti
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Zerith-var's dialogue during A Moonlit Shadow
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Zerith-var companion responses
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Rajhin's Shadow's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y S'rathra's dialogue in Redguard
- ^ a b c d e f g h Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: The Elsweyr Confederacy — Imperial Geographical Society, 2E 864
- ^ a b Passage of Dad'na Ghaten
- ^ a b c d e f g Adara'hai's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Jobasha's dialogue in Morrowind
- ^ Rites of the Order of the Hidden Moon
- ^ Song of Kingdoms
- ^ a b c d Dialogue overheard from dro-m'Athra within the Maw of Lorkhaj in ESO
- ^ a b c d Zamarak's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
- ^ a b c d e f g Anequina and Pellitine: An Introduction — Sulema, Initiate Scholar of the Pa'alatiin
- ^ a b Call to the Faithful
- ^ Nabina-ko's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Jahar Fuso'ja
- ^ a b The Infernal City — Greg Keyes
- ^ Fezez the Merchant's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Zahra's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Tips for a Khajiit in Summerset V. 1 — Bezumi, Khajiiti Ambassador to Summerset
- ^ Narazda's dialogue in ESO: Wolfhunter
- ^ a b Ri'Zakar's dialogue in Oblivion
- ^ Zaiba's dialogue in ESO: Clockwork City
- ^ a b Jora-ri's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
- ^ a b Lyrrsazhi's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
- ^ Shasuna-ja's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
- ^ Cantor Krin'ze's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Khaj Rawlith sub-location in ESO
- ^ Terror-Birds: Up Close and Personal — Dardarfin
- ^ Azargo Long-Tale's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Khunzar-ri and the Demons
- ^ How We Came to Fly
- ^ a b c Strange Inscription (translation)
- ^ a b c d Pocket Guide to the Empire, 3rd Edition: Sugar and Blood: the Cats of the South — Imperial Geographical Society, 3E 432
- ^ a b c Zhaj'hassa the Forgotten's dialogue in ESO
- ^ a b c d Southern Elsweyr fishing catch in ESO: Dragonhold
- ^ Khunzar-ri: Tales, Two — Aneshi, Keeper of Legends for the 16 Kingdoms
- ^ a b Rawl'kha location in ESO
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Interview With Three Booksellers — Jobasha, Codus Callonus, and Dorisa Darvel
- ^ Desert Rain Kata Emotes description in ESO
- ^ The Tale of Dro'Zira — Sonia Vette
- ^ a b c d Val Vijah Va Rhook, Baandari
- ^ Azdanati's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Banji's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Iraya's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
- ^ Events of ESO: Scalebreaker
- ^ Memory of Moon-Singer Talbira's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Tenarr Zalviit Pauldrons item description in ESO: Elsweyr
- ^ Ja'Fazir's dialogue in Oblivion
- ^ ESO Live: "Episode 1". Retrieved 2025-06-13.
- ^ Idle Khajiit voice dialogue in Morrowind
- ^ Goutfang Kata Emote description in ESO
- ^ Za'ji's dialogue in ESO: Dragonhold and ESO: Ascending Tide
- ^ Vijari's dialogue during Chiaroscuro Crossroads in ESO: Dragonhold
- ^ a b Abnur Tharn's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
- ^ Meet the Character - Captain Caudex — Lieutenant Gavo Haderus
- ^ Mazil-jo and other's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Saviwa's and several other's dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
- ^ Whispering Claw Kata Emote description in ESO
- ^ Marakar's Dialogue in ESO
- ^ Ab'jhad NPC in ESO: Dark Brotherhood
- ^ a b c d e f Randomly Generated Names from Arena and Daggerfall
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Khajiiti Honorifics — Lady Radurra-dra of Torval
- ^ Fa'ren-dar NPC in ESO: Thieves Guild
- ^ Master Zoaraym's Tale — Gi'Nanth
- ^ Cantor Izalgo's Journal — Cantor Izalgo
- ^ Qa'Dar NPC in Morrowind
- ^ Zhaj'hassa the Forgotten NPC in ESO: Thieves Guild
- ^ ON:Zerith-var#Houseguest_Dialogue's houseguest dialogue in ESO
- ^ Zhasim's dialogue in ESO: Orsinium
- ^ Hanubina-ko's dialog in ESO
- ^ Mizzik Thunderboots' dialog in ESO
- ^ a b Zadaza's dialog in ESO
- ^ Rakazsa's dialog in ESO
- ^ Coppermane's dialog in ESO
- ^ S'rashi's dialog in ESO
- ^ a b Moonclimber's dialog in ESO
- ^ Nahdahni's dialog in ESO
- ^ Abnur Tharn's dialogue in ESO
- ^ Pellitine Scorch Senche-Lion mount description in ESO
- ^ Elianna Pevengius' dialogue in ESO: Elsweyr
- ^ Ka'ishka's dialog in ESO
- ^ Dialog of the Khunzar-ri's Rest (page)
- ^ Nizun-ja's journal
- ^ Crazy Eye's dialog in ESO
- ^ Quickpaw's dialog in ESO
- ^ Vazbi's dialog in ESO
- ^ Nahdahni's dialog in ESO
- ^ Cinder-Tail's dialog in ESO
- ^ Yanu-ma's dialog in ESO
- ^ Interview With Three Booksellers
- ^ Shadeya's dialog in ESO
- ^ Sidura's dialog in ESO
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.