Old Xatresian
Old Xatresian, also known as Old Common, originated as the trade language of the continent of Xata'th Daine (People's Land), followed by the first language of the Xa'trese (People's Free) Floating Cities. Given the prominence and wealth of Zata'th Daine and the Xa'trese Floating Cities, Old Xatresian spread amongst the continents, becoming one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. The language eventually gave rise to what is now known as the Common Tongue, or Contemporary Xatresian by scholars.
Old Xatresian is considered an Archaic or Dead Language, and there are few alive who speak, read, or write it in the current Age. Despite this, Old Xatresian is the origin of many idioms and names used in Common today, such as "arm and a leg", "hit the sack", "another string to your bow" and "steal someone's thunder".
Geographical Distribution
Old Xatresian originated from Humans in the continent of Xata'th Daine, where it was known as Xata'th-Dal, the "People's Voice". When the first Floating City was launched, the majority of people upon it were from Xata'th Daine, and subsequently the language became the First Language of the Floating Cities. Because these cities could move anywhere in the world, the spread of Old Xatresian was hastened, and it became the Trade Language of the world.
After the Ruin of the Floating Cities, Old Xatresian morphed into the Common Tongue that is known and used today. Old Xatresian itself is no longer spoken as a primary or trade language, and is instead learned by scholars studying the Age of Arcana.
Female Names
Æbbe (Ebba)
Æðelþryð - also Æthelthryth (Etheldreda or Audrey)
Ælfgifu - also Ælfgyfu (Elfgifa, Elfgiva or Elgiva)
Æthel (Ethel)
Æthelflæd - also Æthelflæda (Athelfled, Ethelfled, Adalfled, Edelfled or Audofleda)
Ælfræda (Alfreda)
Ealdgȳð - also Ealdgyth (Aldith)
Ēadgȳð (Edith)
Ēadwina (Edwina)
Mildþryð (Mildred)
Male Names
Ælfmær - also Ælfmaer (Alfmaer or Elfmaer)
Ælfstan (Alfstan or Elfstan)
Ælfwald (Alfwald, Aelfwald or Elfwald)
Ælfweard (Alfweard or Aylward)
Ælfwine (Aelfwine, Elfwine or Alwin)
Æscwine (Aescwine, Escwine or Ashwin)
Æthelberht (Aethelbert or Ethelbert)
Æthelnoth (Aethelnoth or Ethelnoth)
Æþelræd - also Æthelred (Ethelred)
Æthelweard (Ethelweard, Aethelweard or Athelweard)
Ælfræd (Alfred)
Berhthun - also Beorhthun
Burgheard
Coenwalh - also Cenwalh or Cenwealh
Cyneheard
Eadberht
Eadwulf
Ecgberht (Egbert, Eckbert or Ekbert)
Ecgfrið - also Ecgfrith (Egfrith or Ekfrith)
Ecgwine (Egwin)
Edgar
Ēadmund (Edmund)
Ēadwine (Edwin)
Leofwine (Levin or Lewin)
Osric
Óslác (Oslac or Aslak)
Oswine (Oswin or Osuine)
Siegeberht - also Sigeberht (Sigebert, Sigibert, Sigobert or Sigbert)
Ūhtrǣd (Utred, Uhtred, Uchtred, Ughtred, Oughtred, Owtred, Uthred, Ucterd, Uhtred, Utred, Uchdryd or Uchdrud)
Wealdhere (Waldhere or Waldere)
Wulfhelm (Wolfhelm)
Unisex Names
Acca
Avery
Aubrey
Broc (Brook or Brooks)
Family Names/Surnames
Surnames in Old Xatresian were often derived from occupations, locations, personal characteristics, or patronymic origins. In the very earliest known Old Xatresion, people would often be introduced or documented as "Alfred, son of Edgar", "Edith, daughter of Egwin", "Osric of Burnham", "Broc the Brown-Haired" or "Aeldgyth the Tailor". Over time, the Old Xatresian language dropped the link words, so that names ended up as "Alfred Edgar", "Edith Egwin", Osric Burnham", "Broc Brown" or "Aeldgyth Tailor".
Most Old Xatresian translations of surnames evolved into Common form after the fall of the Floating Cities, though some examples still remain, such as Seamere (Tailor), Brun (from "brūn", meaning brown) and Moor (Moore).
Contents
“Wæs þu hæl” – “Be in good health”
This is the origin of the word "Wassail" and is typically now said in Common as "be well".
“Swa fulre fæt, swa hit mann sceal fægror beran” – "The fuller the cup, the more carefully it must be carried”
This phrase warns that the more we have in life, the more we stand to lose, and therefore the more careful we must be with it.
“Deað bið sella Eorla gehwylcum þonne edwitlif” – “Death is better than shameful life”
This phrase is still used amongst those who value honour as a virtue.
“Sua eac bið se here eal idei, ðonne he on oðer folc winnan sceal, gif se heretoga dwolað” – “If the Heretoga errs then is all the here idle”
This line means that if a military commander makes a mistake, the entire army suffers.
“His ansyn waes swylce ligræsc” – “To be like Lightning”
This idiom emphasises a need for speed.
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