Stonetongue
Stonetongue (also called Barâd’khazûl, or "Tongue of the Bedrock") is the ancient and formal language of the Dwarves, believed to have been taught directly to the Stonefather by the gods Terran and Ignara. It is a dense, rhythmic, consonant-heavy language, designed to be carved as easily as it is spoken.
Its phrases often form tight, interlocking idioms, which have passed into everyday Dwarven speech—even when the speaker doesn’t fully understand their origin.
Though not commonly spoken in modern times, it remains essential for rituals, legal contracts, philosophical texts, and sacred recipes.
Structure & Features
- Syllabic Weight: Each word is carved from a root, prefix, and suffix system, mimicking chisel strikes on stone.
- Compound Words: Concepts are often stacked—e.g., Khaz-dûr-barak (“home-forged-war”) for “shieldwall.”
- Tonal Echoes: When spoken aloud in halls or tunnels, the echo of Stonetongue helps reinforce mnemonic memory.
- Runic Tradition: Written Stonetongue uses blocky angle-heavy runes, ideal for carving into stone, metal, or ceramic.
Cultural Significance
- Law: The Stone Laws are always recited in Stonetongue during formal proceedings.
- Philosophy: Stonebound Thinkers often meditate or debate in Barâd’khazûl, believing it forces precision in thought.
- Cooking: Ritual recipes, especially holy or ancestral ones, are written in the language.
- Naming: Many clan names and places derive from Stonetongue root-words.
- Forging: Smiths speak the names of their ancestors in Stonetongue when quenching a blade or sealing a weapon’s soul.
Modern Usage
- Still taught to elite Dwarven youth as part of civic and religious education.
- Used in ceremonial carvings, such as tomb inscriptions and monument dedications.
- Interwoven into songs, especially during rituals like The Breaking of the Loaf and the Feast of the Firedrake.
Final Thoughts
To the Dwarves, Stonetongue is not a dead language—it is a sleeping one. Its weight, tone, and structure are meant for permanence. Even if no one speaks it aloud, the echoes still live in the walls.
“A word in Stonetongue is like a hammerblow—meant to shape, not shatter.”
Common Idioms & Their Origins
| Stonetongue | Literal Translation | Meaning / Modern Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Zar-khul-dum! | “Chisel truth deep!” | A call for honesty or clarity. |
| Dûm-dûm baraz! | “Rock strikes rock!” | Agreement through argument; friendly debate. |
| Khazâl azun târad. | “Even a pebble can damn the flood.” | Small things can have great impact. |
| Dûrakh-von barê! | “Speak like hammerfall!” | Get to the point. |
| Baran-bek ul-bazag. | “The beard grows, even in fire.” | Resilience despite hardship. |
| Ghazum zâr tarûn. | “The roots remember.” | History is not easily forgotten. |
| Kûr zarnum! | “Cut your own vein!” | An insult meaning someone’s choices hurt only them. |
| Thrakâz-dûm tholak! | “Mind the echo, fool!” | Watch what you say; words return. |
A revered ancestor language is such a fun way to take this prompt, and this language is a perfect example of that, wonderfully written. I do like the included examples of turns of phrase and common sayings, it adds a bit of imagination fuel and guidance to picture the rest of the language and how it might look in writing without creating a full conlang/alphabet structure. The best of both worlds I'd argue. Definitely adding to the collection and for further examination as today I intend to answer this prompt myself. Well written!!
Thank you! I went with a Latin-esque type language for just that reason. I do need to do quite a bit of formatting on this article, as it doesn't look great ATM, but I'm super happy that it might inspire you in your own article!