Orcish (language)

Orcish glyphs on a Frostwolf monument.

Orcish is the primary language of the orcs. It is used as the main language of the Horde.

The main form of the Orcish language used by all orc tribes on Draenor was known as common Orcish. Separate clans had variations of dialect that differed so much that orcs could not understand each other unless they spoke the common tongue. There was an older, archaic version of Orcish that few but the highly educated, such as the shaman and the clan chieftains, knew.

Written using runes, Orcish is regarded by non-speakers as an ugly, guttural language. Jaina Proudmoore is able to differentiate between pictographs from an old version of the orc language.

Orcish primer

A Shadowmoon rune circle.

Official translations

Here are a few common orcish phrases and words, for which the translations have been officially confirmed by Blizzard:

• Aka'Magosh (or Aka'magosh) = A blessing on you and yours.
• Bin mog g'thazag cha = I will protect you.
• Dae'mon = Archaic word meaning "Twisted soul" or "demon"; appears to be used in the same way as Man'ari in Draenei.
• Dra'gora = Draenor's Honor.
• Dranosh = Heart of Draenor.
• Garrosh = Warrior's Heart. When used as a proper noun, refers to Garrosh Hellscream.
• Gol'Kosh! = By my axe! An exclamation.
• Gor'krosh = The Long Knives.
• Grombolar = Bowels of the giant.
• Grommash = giant's heart, or The Giant's Heart. When used as a proper noun, refers to Grommash Hellscream.
• Kagh! = Run!
• Lohn'goron = Hero's sojourn.
• Lok-Narash! = "To arms!" or "Arm yourselves!"
• Lok-Regar = Ready for orders.
• Lok-tar! = Victory! (A war cry. Also a greeting while in combat.)
  • Despite it being seen with apostrophe (game) and a hyphen (publications), the hyphen is the canonical spelling of "Lok-tar!"
• Lok-tar ogar! = Victory or death! (A war cry.)
• Lok'amon = Traditional orcish song sung about starting a family.
• Lok'osh = A "song of the heart" or "song of the spirit".
• Lok'tra = Traditional orcish song sung about a battle.
• Lok'vadnod = Traditional orcish song sung about the life of a hero.
• Mag'har = Uncorrupted. Used to describe any non-corrupted orcs.
• Mak'gora = Duel of honor.
• Mak'Rogahn (or mak'rogahn) = Duel of will.
• Mok-thorin ka! = Engage the enemy! Said by Commander Kolurg.
• Nagrand = Land of Winds.
• Nelghor = Loyal beasts. The Dragonmaw clan fondly referred to their rylak mounts as nelghor, and it would later apply the same word to the dragons of Azeroth. All orcs would eventually refer to dragons as nelghor.
• Nelghor-shomash = Cry of the Beasts. Orcish name for the Dragonmaw clan.
• No'ku kil zil'nok ha tar - Spoken by Varok Saurfang when retrieving the body of his son (only seen by Alliance players). Translates to "Blood and thunder, my son."^{[citation needed]} 
• Om'gora = Rite of honor.
• Oshu'gun = Mountain of Spirits.
• Ur'gora = "Not-honor". Considered the worst possible insult an orc can use.
• Wor'gol = Wolf Home.
• Zug-zug or Zug zug = Acknowledgment and agreement; roughly the equivalent of okay.

Untranslated words or phrases

• Agrama-ka - Said by Shattered Hand Legionnaires.
• Amaukwa - Speculated to be Orcish for its title "Breath of Moon."
• Ar/Gar/Mar/Var - Suffixes found in the names of many orcish settlements. Seem to be commonly used when denoting a place named for something else, such as Durotar, Garrosh'ar, Hordemar, Zoram'gar etc.
• Ar'gorok - Horde base in the Arathi Highlands.
• Ata'gar - Ruined Frostwolf village in Frostfire Ridge.
• Dabu - Appears to be an expression of agreement.
• Drakgor - Ruined Dragonmaw camp in the Twilight Highlands.
• Ek-grundum-tuk - Said by Drek'Thar in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne (phonetic spelling).
• Gakarah ma - Said by Shattered Hand Legionnaires.
• Garad'kra - A group of Horde militias.
• Gar'mak - Speculated to be Orcish for its title "Anguish."
• Gluk - Said by orc units in Warcraft: Orcs & Humans.
• Glor-dook - Said by Peons and Grunts in Warcraft II (phonetic spelling).
• Gor'gaz - Fel Horde camp in Hellfire Peninsula.
• Gorshak - Ruined Dragonmaw camp in the Twilight Highlands.
• Go'Shek - Horde-occupied human farm in the Arathi Highlands.
• Gra'ah - Warsong camp in the Spirit Woods.
• Grangol'var - Shadow Council village in Terokkar Forest.
• Grol'dom - Pig farm in the Northern Barrens.
• Gromdar - Iron Horde camp in Tanaan Jungle.
• Grom'gar - Thunderlord settlement in Frostfire Ridge, built in the corpse of a colossal.
• Grom'kar - A major force within the Iron Horde.
• Grom'gol - Horde camp in Stranglethorn Vale. Probably means "Giant's Home" or "Giant Home", as Wor'gol means "Wolf Home".
• Gul'rok - Shadow Council village in Talador.
• Gul'var - Shadow Council base in Shadowmoon Valley.
• Kag'ah - Warsong camp in the Spirit Woods.
• Kor'gar - Horde outpost in Darkshore.
• Kor'kron - An elite Horde guard force.
• Kosh'aka - Used in the name of individual pieces in the Heritage of Draenor set.
• Kosh'harg - An orcish celebration.
• Kra'gor - Mountain in Shadowmoon Valley.
• Kyross - Orc outpost in the Swamp of Sorrows during the First War.
• Lak'tuk - Speculated to be Orcish for its title "Suffering."
• Lok'goron - Iron Horde foundry in Tanaan Jungle.
• Lok-narosh - Said by Thrall in Warcraft III (phonetic spelling). Probably a variant of "Lok-Narash".
• Lok-rath - Warsong village in Nagrand.
• Lok-regar ogull - Said by Thrall in Warcraft III (phonetic spelling).
• Mok'gol - Warsong fortress in Nagrand.
• Mok'gor - Warsong camp in the Spirit Woods.
• Mok'nathal - A clan and/or race of half-ogre, half-orc hybrids. The name may also be from the Ogre language.
• Mok-rah - Greeting line used by orc NPCs in World of Warcraft. The spelling is taken from patch 5.4's music files.
• Mok-thora ka - Said by Shattered Hand Legionnaires. Probably a variant of "Mok-thorin ka".
• Mor'gran - Iron Horde lumber mill in Talador.
• Mor'shan - Warsong Outriders camp in the Northern Barrens.
• Og'nor ka Lok'tar! - Said by Thrall in the Hour of Twilight.
• Okna' khul! - Said by an orc travelling through Durotar as an exclamation.
• Okril'lon - Orcish force in the Blasted Lands, led by and named after Okrilla.
• Om'riggor - Orcish rite of adulthood.
• On-dabu - Said by Wind Riders in Warcraft III (phonetic spelling).
• Nok-Karosh - Speculated to be Orcish for its title "Warrior's Death."
• Putanni - A greeting.
• Shaz'gul - Shadowmoon capital in Shadowmoon Valley.
• Sythegore - Defunct faction of Old Horde raiders.
• Swobu - Said by Peons and Grunts in Warcraft II and by Grunts in Warcraft III.
• Tar'thog - Bridge in Tanaan Jungle.
• Throm-ka or Throm'ka - A greeting.
• Throm'var - Frostwolf village in Frostfire Ridge.
• Valormok - Horde camp in Azshara.
• Wor'var - Frostwolf base in Nagrand.
• Zeth'Gol - Bleeding Hollow capital in Tanaan Jungle.
• Zeth'Gor - Fel orc fort in Hellfire Peninsula.
• Zeth'kur - Former orcish port town.

In-game parser

This is the list of words created by the in-game language parser for the Orcish language and is listed as language number one (word range 1-100) in the Language text file.

Note: The language algorithm used by the in-game "translator" merely makes the words look like Orcish. It does not actually translate words. Therefore, translated in-game speech isn't true Orcish.

Number of letters in word	Word List
One-letter words	A, N, G, O, L
Two-letter words	Ha, Ko, No, Mu, Ag, Ka, Gi, Il
Three-letter words	Lok, Tar, Kaz, Ruk, Kek, Mog, Zug, Gul, Nuk, Aaz, Kil, Ogg
Four-letter words	Rega, Nogu, Tago, Uruk, Kagg, Zaga, Grom, Ogar, Gesh, Thok, Dogg, Maka, Maza
Five-letter words	Regas, Nogah, Kazum, Magan, No'bu, Golar, Throm, Zugas, Re'ka, No'ku, Ro'th
Six-letter words	Thrakk, Revash, Nakazz, Moguna, No'gor, Goth'a, Raznos, Ogerin, Gezzno, Thukad, Makogg, Aaz'no
Seven-letter words	Lok'Tar, Gul'rok, Kazreth, Tov'osh, Zil'Nok, Rath'is, Kil'azi
Eight-letter words	Throm'ka, Osh'Kava, Gul'nath, Kog'zela, Ragath'a, Zuggossh, Moth'aga
Nine-letter words	Tov'nokaz, Osh'kazil, No'throma, Gesh'nuka, Lok'mogul, Lok'bolar, Ruk'ka'ha
Ten-letter words	Regasnogah, Kazum'nobu, Throm'bola, Gesh'zugas, Maza'rotha, Ogerin'naz
Eleven-letter words	Thrakk'reva, Kaz'goth'no, No'gor'goth, Kil'azi'aga, Zug-zug'ama, Maza'thrakk
Twelve-letter words	Lokando'nash, Ul'gammathar, Golgonnashar, Dalggo'mazah
Thirteen-letter words	Khaz'rogg'ahn, Moth'kazoroth

Orcish / Common dictionary

The following appear in the "Orcish / Common Dictionary" found in eastern Dalaran.

• BUR - An aggressively passionate mating call.
• What can I do fer ye? - Beer sold here.
• Hi - A threatening war cry, especially when accompanied by a wave or bow.
• How are you? - Was your mother really a reptile?
• King's Honor, friend! - I'm starving!

Naming

Main article: Naming Day

Character creation screen

The following names are offered as suggestions when creating characters on the character creation screen. Note that this list represents a sample of the many possible suggestions.

Male names

• Wark, Drukasao, Guntojakh, Iroggalnn, Tuknazit, Volindai, Igond, Rogrelg, Umaghavikor, Fengam, So, Domron, Zurosao, Lugrenga, Zugrish, Dosamm, Tsubai, Wagtaggall, Naakigg, Eckh, Emontuugg, Cromga, Fusatkuulk, Rogrettsuo, Kalligg, Wogruugar, Akuugg, Kagar, Akubaim, Kashugrexx, Gilligoarusk, Relcozomrak, Daggarn, Dramworn, Macksh, Tusontarish, Rhog, Drarduglok, Fenrim, Rashomro, Cheruknai, Googg, Mazumorr, Chantsuya, Kazit, Sikkall, Dengamm, Nagtar, Skrishtargh, Nakin, Herst, Pikasand, Ugakusel, Kagrim, Gaidom, Fashtar, Rendomiku, Rog, Watsuyagarg, Fusath, Nekk, Tramm, Figgo, Domdaggo, Koichark, Crongaragho, Gungoress, Oso, Phavikazra, Irogaidos, Sokramm, Figall, Zurungo, Emurigore, Fashtalekthr, Chul, Tulmokthar, Nardamesh, Korelskrim, Figgalekk, Nathatsu, Nagg, Molo, Waghurp, Maulnargon, Pyagatku, Emurund, Wit, Kafgantand, On, Songamu, Lhavik, Thariak, Hungar, Drelcozsh, Draggo, Zumongorg, Nekiron.

Female names

• Bokrem, Fuda, Garainekago, Lopiatsukas, Hallarii, Saroogai, Hargai, Maiki, Togrytasaku, Hatamaris, Garunn, Ferunah, Irgraka, Reldaqi, Corvisaki, Roldiko, Daqi, Drunndrukona, Opakhamga, Gelagallopia, Liritsua, Geermani, Tokimao, Ezarn, Arteta, Nodosar, Mannah, Riimishtasa, Rokargara, Uragosaka, Tishtalvana, Pla, Rekrakka, Tabitaska, Akiria, Dous, Seergrutalla, Uragdalka, Khaku, Womdalle, Akonnaya, Morakinka, Akasaaja, Dosa, Reta, Nangrii, Roldala, Ritheddalka, Kritasu, Doora, Eonamah, Tiki, Grytas, Skkagai, Mirshaqi, Seerman, Wyeghakask, Lirgronnanya, Eonamanaka, Nodooskasan, Tishargryta, Arooska, Khalvanagna, Kinani, Okagark, Giskka, Atsuka, Tinekretanya, Rekrannda, In, Grytamikirga, Heg, Ferunaki, Gellaayu, Eonnakha, Ritsukah, Drakkaskaya, Flikorvisa.

Warcraft II

In the Warcraft II cinematics, orcs randomly say words in orcish like "Moka", "titoo", "glode". These words, however, have never been heard in another Blizzard game and have never been translated.

Film universe

This section concerns content exclusive to the Warcraft film universe and is considered non-canon.

• The orcish word wachook is used by Blackhand to describe Draka as she gives birth, shortly after passing through the Great Gate. The term roughly translates as "female incapacitated by pregnancy".
• Garona means cursed.

• 

  Film concept art of orcish runes, by Wei Wang.

• 

  Orcish runes with their meanings.

In the RPG

This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

Orcish (or Orc) is a coarser language than Common, and many words lack the subtlety of Common. Orcs rely on context, repetition and volume to add emphasis or meaning. There are many orc dialects, examples include one spoken by the majority of the Horde, and another by orcs living near Durnholde.

Orcish is written using a combination of Common alphabet and runes.^{[citation needed]} 

Translations

• Dabu = I obey.
• Mok'nathal = The Sons of Nath. (Honorable title.)
• Swobu = As you command.
• Throm-Ka = Well met. (A greeting.)
• Trk'hsk = Bloodshed in battle. (Some orcs in the Durnholde area use the word with a different meaning, namely "that sacrificed to the earth" in order to make crops grow.)

Orc names

Most orcish names derive from words in their language that have some complex meaning or hidden significance to their families. Typically, this is the name of a favorite thing or relative. Family names don't exist; most orcs have last names related to some great deed of heroism or honor. However, in the case of truly incredible deeds, an orc might take on the last name of his father to ensure that the chronicle of that terrific deed lives on. The concept of honor is seen in every level of orc society, even in their naming practices. An orc’s first name is given early in life, often derived from a family name or the name of a great hero. The tribe bestows the second name after the orc reaches maturity, this name based upon some great deed. Such a practice gives rise to surnames such as Doomhammer, Elfkicker, Foe-ender, Skullsplitter, Thumper, and the like. This second name may be changed if a new one seems more appropriate.

• Male Names: Grom, Thrum, Drog, Gorrum, Harg, Thurg, Karg.
• Female Names: Groma, Hargu, Igrim, Agra, Dragga, Grima.
• Family Names: Doomhammer, Deadeye, Forebinder, Elfkiller, Skullsplitter, Axeripper, Tearshorn, Fistcrusher.

Speculation

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

Orcish surnames are usually derived from great acts or merits a previous ancestor was lauded for,^{[citation needed]}  but some exceptional orcs earn their own surnames (Kilrogg Deadeye, Kargath Bladefist), and many prefer to use the names of their fathers (Thrall, Son of Durotan). Only the family leader can hold an eponymous title (For example, there can only be one Doomhammer or Deadeye at a time), and the rest of the clan identify themselves through their line of birth.

Two types of orc names appear to have arisen: two syllables separated by an apostrophe and a simple name shortened from a longer one. The two-syllable ones- Gul'dan, Drak'Thul, Dal'Rend - appear to have initially been only used for spellcaster, but was later exported (Gar'Thok was a grunt). The second type was highly cultural; only those with powers over the warrior could use their full name, such as Shamans and chieftains, or the orc's personal religious leader. For example, Brox's full name was Broxigar, a term which he allowed only Tyrande and Krasus to use. Grom Hellscream's full name was Grommash, which Mannoroth used to address him as a demonstration that Hellscream was his. This is very inconsistent, however, most of the known orcish names (such as Durotan, Orgrim, Nazgrel, Kargath) are never documented being used in short forms.

Word speculation

• Grom'gol - Horde camp in Stranglethorn Vale. - Grom being an honor to Grom Hellscream (as well as an Orcish word for "giant"), and Gol probably (based on defined terms in primer) means "By my" or "Axe" so it could be speculated to mean "Grom's Axe", "Giant's Axe", "By Grom" and others.
• "Hall" - Used in the salutation "Thrall Hall!", probably means "honor" or something similar. Theory #2: It has no specific definition in the orcish language, it is instead used as a multi-purpose word that means glory to the horde/leader (Glory through their leader). The only reason it is Thrall Hall is because it flows naturally and is easy to say/remember (Kind of like why we use nicknames), compare the use of Thrall Hall! to Thrall Honor! or Thrall Hail!
• Kek = Lol
  • When a Horde character says "lol" in Orcish, it displays as "kek" to Alliance characters. Since "lol" is used quite often in the game by many players this translation has become widely known, and many fans have accepted "kek" as kind of an official translation of "lol" into Orcish.

However, there are many other 3-letter combinations that produce the translation "kek", and "lol" isn't really a word in the English language, anyway.

• Grommash has been officially translated as Giant's Heart. Grombolar has been officially translated as Bowels of the Giant. Dranosh and Garrosh have been officially translated as Heart of Draenor and Warrior's Heart, respectively. Thus, it can be assumed that "Grom" means giant, "Bolar" means bowels, and both "(M)ash" and "Osh" mean heart.
  • Grom = "Giant"
  • Bolar = "Bowels"
  • (M)ash or Osh = "Heart"
• "Mar" is a common ending to orcish cities (such as Orgrimmar or Hordemar City). It could be translated to "city of" or "the city" (Using examples from before, Orgrimmar would be City of Orgrim or The city Orgrim, whilst Hordemar would be City of Horde, City of the Horde of The city of the Horde.
• "Lok-Regar Ogull, On-Dabu." - Spoken by a unit in an RTS game,^[Which?]  possibly means "Ready for orders."

Other speculation

"Orc" as a term defining language, has an apparent connection to DnD derived generic languages, which apparently can be found in DnD rule books.

To a degree, phonetically some of the words resemble Tolkien's Black Speech, which makes sense since that language was presumably the foundational influence for the sound of this one. It is, however, generally somewhat less guttural and (to use Tolkien's own adjective for the Black Speech) uncouth.

It also doesn't seem to really be an actual language as such; Blizzard apparently originally invented a few words with an "Orcish" sound to use as acknowledgment phrases when units were clicked on in the earlier Warcraft games, and thus to create consistency, these words were brought over to WoW. The translated vocabulary, however, is not large, and there is no real formal grammar. The "Orcish" that can be seen apparently being spoken by players in-game is the result of a hash table created by Blizzard, (as mentioned above) and the words produced by it are intentionally meaningless gibberish.

The examples of Orcish we've seen indicate what the phonetic inventory of the language might include, but we have nearly no evidence of the structure of the syntax or grammar. It may be possible to assume that adjectives come before nouns, as in English and other Germanic languages. As seen in the primer above, "Grommash" translates to "giant's heart". Thus we might say that "grom" (giant's) is an adjective modifying "mash" (heart). The word "Grombolar," meaning "bowels of the giant", seems to follow this pattern as well. Of course, if this is actually a possessive clause, or a compound word, then the speculation that Orcish follows an adjective-noun word order could be erroneous.

Notes

• The first time Khadgar heard the orcish language, it was unfamiliar to him, and both guttural and blasphemous to his ears.
• When Khadgar asked Garona about her representatives, she gave him three made-up names; Gizblah the Mighty, Morgax the Gray, and Hikapik the Bloodrender. These can be viewed as orcish names.

Gallery

• 

  Gul'dan's Orcish Runes in the Tomb of Sargeras, as depicted in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.

• 

  One of Gul'dan's Orcish Runes, as depicted in World of Warcraft.

• 

  Shadowmoon glyphs on a Tribal Stone in the Burial Fields.

• 

  Shadowmoon glyphs on a floating stone in Anguish Fortress.

• 

  Warsong glyphs on a monument outside Mok'gol Watchpost.

External links

• Wowhead