Language(s) in GRAY.

From: Alex Language is a Virus Ferguson (alex@dcs.gla.ac.uk)
Date: Sun 10 Apr 1994 - 21:02:31 EEST

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One of the many Interesting Things in GRAY is the information on language. Shame this isn't a bit more specific in places, though: for instance, does 'ente-' means good, and '-kos' mean air, or vice versa?

But my main point is: what language is being translated here? The obvious answer is 'Dara Happan', but there seem to be (at least?) two distinct languages here. Firstly the 'Indian-sounding' names, which are in the majority, such as Yelm, Khordavu, etc; and secondly the 'Latin-sounding' ones such as Antirius, Pelontonius, etc (some of them are more Greek, though). My guess is that the first is indeed Dara Happan, and the second group are from some Pelorian (Farmer?) language. (I presume New Pelorian is a much later development.)

If this is the case, it suggests untold speculation as to the (distinct?) origins of these various personages and deities. But it might just be Greg being (linguistically eclectic|highly confusing|on drugs). ;-)

Shall we have a vote on it?

Another minor point: who/what are the denizens of the Yelmic Fifth Hell? Is it specifically trolls, undead, or both; or is it catch all for all the Really Bad things in hell, to wit anything not fitting the orderly Four Hells ruled by Lodril?

Alex.

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