Skarnak: The Goblin Tongue
A modern guide to the language and society of the Goblin people
I. Phonetics & Pronunciation
Goblins speak in sharp, guttural bursts, favoring hard consonants and short vowels. Their language reflects their tribal roots, but has evolved as they’ve integrated into modern society.
| Symbol | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| Q/q | Always a hard K (like quake) |
| R | Guttural, often rolled or growled |
| ’ | Glottal stop (as in uh-oh) |
| CH | Harsh, like Bach |
| Z | Voiced hiss or buzz depending on dialect |
| OU | Always OW as in now |
| A | Short ah |
| U | Oo as in boot |
| O | Oh |
| I | Ih as in bit |
II. Goblin Society & Language Context
Once enslaved by the Elves, the Goblins gained their freedom in a massive, coordinated rebellion in 1930. Since then:
- Goblins have built mountain strongholds, yet also live in cities, often working in engineering, security, and trade.
- The 5 major strongholds are in the mountains surrounding Nightskar City (which they have good relations with in both trade and diplomacy)
- Each tribe is independent, with its own customs, but all answer to the Council of Claws, a rotating body of tribal leaders who maintain federal law.
- Goblins have a deep-rooted cultural distrust of Elves, and Goblin children are still taught tales of the Kindrash Ragin, the War of Names (known commonly as the Goblin Rebellions).
- Their language, Skarnak, has remained strong as a symbol of resistance and identity.
III. Skarnak Mini-Dictionary
Pronouns
| English | Goblin |
|---|---|
| I / Me | Ier |
| You | Gur |
| He / She / It | Rok |
| We | Iern |
| They | Grok |
| English | Goblin |
|---|---|
| To be | van (present), tam’r (past) |
| To go | vrat |
| To have | kund |
| To want | gruuk |
| To speak | krad |
| To fight | grazt |
| To trade | brelg |
| To kill | dreg |
| To eat | snor |
| To trust | vakna |
| English | Goblin |
|---|---|
| Name | kindrarok |
| Tribe / Clan | gruth |
| Council | kradgruth (speech-tribe) |
| Law / Rule | torvak |
| Rebellion | quinrak |
| Fire | kren |
| Water | vug |
| Food | snaga |
| Weapon | shuld |
| Enemy | skarn |
| Ally | granz |
| Elf | Ishnar (derogatory slur: shnaak) |
| Home | kranuk |
| Danger | druhk |
| Mountain | groun (pronounced “grown”) |
IV. Essential Traveler’s Phrasebook
Aimed at non-Goblins who need to navigate Goblin lands or settlements.
Greetings & Introductions
| English | Skarnak |
|---|---|
| Hello | Multanin |
| Goodbye | Vrat glak (Go safe) |
| My name is ___ | Ier van kindrarok ___ |
| I come in peace | Ier vrat zan glak |
| I am not enemy | Ier grak skarn |
| I respect your tribe | Ier glak tou gruth |
Travel & Location
| English | Skarnak |
|---|---|
| Where is the road? | Trak vug grok? |
| I am lost | Ier van brak trak |
| May I enter? | Vrat Ier zan? |
| Which way to the mountains? | Trak zan tou groun? |
Needs & Bartering
| English | Skarnak |
|---|---|
| I need food | Ier gruuk snaga |
| I need water | Ier gruuk vug |
| I want to trade | Ier gruuk brelg |
| I have gold | Ier kund zuruk |
| Is this safe? | Tou glak? |
Danger & Safety
| English | Skarnak |
|---|---|
| Help me! | Glak Ier! |
| I carry no weapon | Ier grak kund shuld |
| Danger here | Druhk zan kranuk! |
| I trade, not fight | Ier brelg, grak grazt |
V. Cultural Notes for Outsiders
- Do not joke in Goblin unless fluent. Poor grammar is tolerated, mockery is not.
- Never call a Goblin an Ishnar unless seeking violence.
- The Council of Claws enforces shared laws—breaking them may lead to tribal exile or worse.
- Food and weapons are sacred trade goods. Offering them improperly is offensive.
- The word “grak” (negation) is critical—learn it early.