Vortigaunt language basics

True Vortigese can only be understood by telepathic individuals. The inflection and specific context of any spoken sound is created through Vortal means. Flux Shifting is the term they use, where each Vortigaunt's mental and verbal communication is shared in a holistic manner. Therefore any context is generally lost on Human ears, and each single Vortigese word can be interpreted in dozens of different ways depending on that context. Many words can be spelled in different ways, but they are generally pronounced only one. Vortigaunts can learn virtually any language, pronunciation may be more or less correct though they always sound 'exotic'. Though they have few or no words with certain sounds in their own language, they can pronounce English/non-Vort sounds just fine. Vortigese is difficult for normal Humans to pronounce because some of the resonance and depth of the actual sounds are created using their longer throats, differently shaped mouths, and considerably larger lungs. Many Vorts give off rumbling sounds that can hardly be heard by Human ears. What may sound like a simple grunt to a Human can be a complete word or even sentence to a Vort.

When words might, in English, flow together sloppily, most Vorts pronounce each of their own words individually even if they speak quickly. There is little change in stress between words or syllables, though when there are three or more syllables, the second is sometimes stronger.

Not every word or phrase follows every rule, as with most languages they have their exceptions based on traditional use.

Vortigese is not intentionally vague or difficult to decode, for Humans. However, those who have Vortal inputs are clearly at an advantage to understand certain phrases and follow lengthy discussions.


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Context-driven punctuation

Since this is a written work, some context can be explained away by using hyphens (-) and apostrophes (') to indicate 'connections' between words. They essentially modify whatever two words appear together, as subject or object.

Often, imagining the phrase "of (the)" or "from (the)" between two words can help explain their context. Obviously it depends on which specific words are in use.

'(word) is used to indicate the verb form of whatever other word is in use, while (word)' generally shows what is being done. When there is no proper way to imagine action between those, ' merely shows the emphasis or direction that the object should be observed.

(word)-(word) is used to combine ideas together, as in English.


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Context-driven information

Counting in Vort requires concentration – it's either "none", "one" or "many". To know how many, exactly, of any given thing (people in a room, eggs in a basket, rounds in a clip) are present, the sender and receiver of the information must be flux-shifting. Otherwise, it's a good idea to speak something other than Vort if you want to convey complicated math.


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Pronunciation Guide

A = ah as in car; aa = as in mat
E = as wet; ee as in see; ey as in 'a' in pay
I = as in ink; ih as in hit
O = as in oat; sometimes as in mod
U = as in cut; sometimes oo as in soon
W = seldom used, generally ua
Y = seldom used, generally as in seen, sometimes as in yes
H = as in Hello, at end of words generally softens vowel sound

B = as in Bat – no P sounds
V = as in Volume –  no F (unvoiced) sound
D = as in Dug
C (ch) = always as in Champ, at end of word voiced with H as in Hanukkah
K = (also ck) as in Kill
G = as in Good
J = as in Juice (sometimes sounds as zh)
M = as in Man
N = as in Nice – except at end of word, may be silent
T = as in Table
Ts = as in pacts
L or LL = as in Lull – heavily voiced in many words
R = as in Ran – often sounds rolled or as a growl
S = as in hissed
Sh = as in Shut
X or Z = as in Zoo, or zz as buzz
Zh = (also xh) as the g in mirage


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Vortigese Word Listing (very basic)
** note that not all spelling is consistent, sorry! **

Updated November 11 2016, added words shown in notes...

I recommend using edit/find to locate words you might think are here. Since each Vort word may be used for numerous English ones, try variations.

Ah’ (or a combined with words) (short sound) = you, us, nearby companions, team or group address
Ahglah (or aglaa) = the all-in-one, encompassing, the fabric of life, circle, sphere
Ahhhr = opening of the Vortal communication pathways, readiness to commune by flux-shifting
Ai (aye, eye) = spectrum, that which can be sensed in a limited way, a specific wavelength group (rarely emotional)
Ahl (or all) = of or from, lineage of, surname or epithet, representation from a group or place (always followed by word)
Ahn (or an, long ah) = new, but implies having begun again; to reform, to transform or change emotionally or physically
Alla = self, people, singular or plural depending on context, Vortikind embodied in flesh
Allu = other non-threatening life forms, allies, non-Vortigaunt individuals, peaceful contact
Araa (or arah) = physical aspect of transparency, see-through, barrier, force field; (not mah/maa – physical only)
Ash (distinct s sound, or ahsh, aash) = to physically miss, feel the motion of something moving past, ‘wind’ or ‘wake’, ‘near miss’
Azh (voiced zh as ge in ‘garage’) = sun, a star nearby, a star cluster prominent in the skies; local orientation/direction, time of day
Chrazh/Chra’azh = dawn; Nah’azh/naaazh = morning; Ee’azh/eeyazh = noon/midday; Ja’azh/Jahazh = sunset/evening; Ha’azh/Haazh = night time/midnight; Mii’azh = magnetic north or east (world-dependant)
Bahh (or baa) = multiples, many, divisions of a single thing (such as individual Vortigaunts among their kin)
Ban = increments or demarcations, measurements, gradualness, portions as opposed to a whole object or event, moments
Barr (or barh) = to chant, repeat a phrase or pattern, a spell or incantation, loosely ‘music’ or ‘song’
Bed = sweetness, a pleasant taste or smell, not usually mental/personality
Bee (or bii) = warrior class as opposed to worker class, ‘grunts’, soldiers
Beelees = controller class, one who organizes, commands or otherwise is in charge of a team/group
Beh = female, of any species when there is a difference, ‘her/hers/she’ modifying object/individual
Bim (or beem) = the past, things which have already occurred, unchangeable, historical, posterity
Bit = wetness, dampness, moisture but not a body of liquid, something that is not dry
Bot (as bought) = reference to a singular item, ‘that thing’, a specific subject/object, ‘it’ as a pronoun
Brr (or brh) =
Brun (or broon) = to make another, duplication of a physical thing, copy, back-up (also noun); still won’t use this for ‘clone’
Buu (or boo) = the physical quality of hardness, inflexibility applied to objects or opinion
Chaa (or chah) = knowledge, innate or shared vortal information, objective thought (opposed to subjective)
Chackt = motion, action, verb (what ever it can do / be / act) for any object in question
Chee (or chi) = a shrill sound, high-pitched noises, a buzzer or shriek, a whine, specific sounds many animals make
Chela (or chellah) = to clean or purge, generally more hostile than ‘wash’, purify, filter, cleanse
Chol (or choll, o as in cold) = tilt, tumble downward, fall; physical imbalance, sway or stagger; ‘domino effect’
Chrah (irregular, voiced h) = hill, rise, a physical object that is raised from its surroundings, lump, landmark; raise (when verb)
Chuaa = (alert1 hl1) ‘engage’, command to attack, ‘do it’, rarely used with chackt
Churr = sustenance, food, to eat (as a verb)
Daa (or dahh) = hue or color, the visual description of a physical object’s appearance, combines with other words to specify
Daal (or dhal, dahl) = to interpose, come between, interrupt, interject; implies briefness or temporary state of interruption (daalazh = an eclipse, for instance) which will go back to normal afterwards; to pull a Kanye ‘I’m’a let you finish but’
Dam (or daam, dham) = representative, elected, official capacity either temporary or permanent, social status
Dan (or danh) = honor of another, a high regard, respect, to perform a duty well (if verb), applies to others’ actions
Dara (as ‘data’) = guard, protect, the act of giving shelter or defending a thing or person physically, rarely psychological
Darr (or darh) = brightness, light source (as opposed to heat source), to illuminate (physically)
Dech (voiced h) = texture of being bumpy, knotted, a single item with grain or beady exterior, warts, nubs
Dee (or di) = overabundance, too many, too much, explosion, stink
Del (or dell) = to care for, tend physically, attend to needs; caretaker, groundskeeper, nurse/attendant; rarely emotional/vortal
Den = limbs, anything not body or brain, depending on species can mean wing, hand, leg or pincers
Det (short t) = to ask, request politely, soften a demand or query, ‘please?’
Dey = to require more, need, request, ask for explanation/clarification
Dim (or deem) = amusement, lightheartedness, a joke, or something worthy of mocking (when object/person)
Doh (or dou) =
Drah (or draa) = to agree, join in a group decision, ‘vote’, contribute or donate, vouch for someone/thing, offer; offering/donation when object, also ‘dowry’ or ‘will/inheritance’ in a physical sense of objects being given
Du (or doo) = to store, pack away, compartmentalize; a warehouse or closet, pantry, the location where stored goods are put
Dy’ (or die/dyee) = once, formerly, had been, past tense (not bim), ‘ex-/exiled-(person/thing)’; generally insulting or threatening
Eeya (or iyah) = warmth, heat, the element of fire, a cook/camp fire (when object)
Eek (or ik/iq) = stored energy, electricity, shock, battery or lightning if object
Eesk (or iisk) = a seat, resting place, chair or bed; also serves as table, shelf, a flat object not a natural formation (not ski)
Eez (or iz) = to project, lunge, motion of thrusting or extension (not throw/launch), reach; rarely emotional; pseudopod, eyestalk of light plant or snail, tendril (the speed of thrusting doesn’t matter in this case)
Egh (or eeg) = intelligence, smartness, canniness, a strong comprehension, ‘book learning’
Eh’ (combined with other words) = a mental or emotional modifier, when something is usually physical
Ell (or elh, el, ehl) = physical property of slickness, shine, reflective, a mirror if object
Esh = world, planet, environment on a large scale; community or neighborhood (physical); biome; culture (conceptual), rarely emotional in nature as it tends to define a wide-scale object or concept
Eth = team, group, squad, pack, an unrelated group rather than family or descended, often animal/non-Vort
Ga’ = a positive experience, ‘yes’, a generic positive modifier to other objects or situations
Gaharra = debt, gratitude, willful in nature
Gaka = self-worth, pride, something of which to be proud (when object/action), applies to self’s action
Galih = euphoria, the state of existence rather than living, the pleasant effect of the Interval (death)
Gallalam = satisfaction, completion, to finish, to end (an event, not a life)
Gallum = gift, pleasure, something precious, something which can be taken or given (when object)
Gerr (or gerh) = the physical quality of softness, pliability, flexibility of things or ideas, change (purposeful)
Glah (or glaa) = embrace, accept, gather, the non-spiritual component of wholeness with a group, teamwork
Glit (or galit) = length of an object, full distance, amount of a whole, ‘sum’, paired with modifiers for small/large
Go (or goh) = appropriate behavior, correctness, fit for the context; meeting approval, pass muster, a ‘thumbs up’
Gog = liquid, the element of water, generally any body of water (when object)
Graa (or grah) = a theory, formula, set of rules or instructions, intellectual rather than physical; to ponder or theorize (verb)
Gram = fondness, pleasure as it applies to wanting something, eagerness, implies only the spirit of enjoyment, not the object
Gruh (or groo, grew) = pace or prowl, stealthy motion, sleight of hand, trackless movement, deliberate speed
Gruk (or crook) = cavernous, an interior of a natural area, shelter
Grun (as noon) = grace, physical ease of motion, elegance, freefall / flight, to soar (when verb)
Gu = motion applied to a broad scale, shifting, something being between two states
Gulanga = training, sparring, practice, rewarding repetitive physical or Vortal activity (combines 3 words)
Gunn = to prepare, to ready one’s self, a warning if spoken to another
Gurr (or ghurr) = feet, paws, hoof, locomotive extremities as opposed to manipulative ones when different
Gurrah (or gurah) = below, underneath, the under or bottom portion of an object, depths
Ha (or haa) = a negative modifier, generally not used alone until after Human contact- ‘no’, suggests imbalance or inequity
Hach (voiced h) = never, will/did not, refusal of a request, ‘nope, no way’
Hachra (voiced ch) = pit, hole, indentation in something normally flat, includes bullet holes, to dig or gouge (when verb)
Hahd (or haad/had) = to leave a mark, scar, an imprint physically (not emotional/social); not Vouch (still negative, no ownership)
Hagh (or haag) = to dislike or place lesser value on something, to refute or disallow because of opinion
Hallam = a negative condition, unrest, chaos
Harra = indebted via negative means, bond of servitude, trap (when object)
Hen = exclusion of something, instead, ‘or’ when modifying more than one object/idea, the act of choosing (when verb)
Hi (hee) = outsider, enemy, generally something not Vortal, or not connected to Vortikind
Hish (heesh) = pest, annoyance, vermin, ‘bugs’; to be bothered/plagued or infested; almost always physical
Hoch (voiced h) = sparks, flickering, sparkles, starlight, uneven but bright light or color, static, physical light, not lih
Hoh (or ho) = mental or emotional stun, surprise, shock, unexpected or sudden emotional impact
(Hoalbah = worship, revere, a state of supernatural awe or impact, ‘stunning the many’ hoh allu bahh )
Hoy-hoy (quick repetition) = an attention-getting ‘hush up/pay attention/watch out’, used in hunting or battle
Hu (hoo, huu) = atop something moving, a mount (usually alive); to ride or drive
Hud (or hood) = to collect, harvest, round up, gather, herd, multiple rather than singular, almost always physical
Ih’ (short, combined with other words, pronounced as ‘in’) = a physical modifier when something is usually Vortal or emotional
Ihr (or eer, pronounced ear w/rolled r) = excitement, anticipation, attentiveness, eagerness as a physical sensation; implies the thing is going to happen/is right there rather than gram’s ‘wanting’
Jah (or jaa) = remnants, that which is left over, anything not used or useless, ‘after’
Jahn (or jann) = to emerge, break out, hatch, implies without help; an egg breaking, cocoon opening, unwrap, uncloak
Jaim (or jaem) = to switch, alter, swap objects or ideas; debate, discuss where more than one idea exists
Jii (or jhi) = curled, fluted, something that is wound or wavy, a helix or spiral, also a pattern of such waves
Joh (or Jo) = careful, precise movement, caution; to double-check, make sure, be diligent
Jurr = solid, ground, the element of earth, dirt or stone (when object)
Kaa (or kahh) = texture, a physical descriptive term that’s usually added to another word to show what kind of texture it is
Kallah = physical quality, body, flesh, the objective content of a statement when generic
Keh = to fix that which is broken, repair, make the best of a situation, to forgive
Ket (short t sound, pronounced as in ‘quit’) = flatness, dullness, lack of features
Kih (or kee) = within, inside, interior, shell or container (when object) that is implied to have something in it
Klurr (or klurh) = a low frequency sound, thrumming or hum, dirge, large animal sounds, groaning/moaning
Kraa (or krah) = quiet sounds, hushed, whisper, volume of sound rather than frequency, ‘be quiet’ (verb)
Kree (or krii) = to monitor, keep track of, watch over, to stalk or hunt (when negative); also nouns (monitor, camera, etc)
Ksaa (or ksah) = confidence, surety, the act of believing in another
Kshaa (or kshah) = abruptness as opposed to gradualness, sudden, not unexpected but short in duration
Kshek (as neck) = ink or dye, stain (nouns), the act of coloring something (verb), changing colors/camouflaging (verb)
Kth (as a lisped ‘kiss’) = to choose among, pick from many; usually physical, can mean ‘take sides’ (not meh’)
Kurr = being told, being given, teacher (when physical)
Kut (short t sound, as coot) = attract, bring near, gravity, tug (as a leash), pull
Kuu (or koo) = cling, attach, latch onto, be sustained by or carried by (physically)
Laa (or lahh) = connection, link, a step between things, progression (?)
Lach (voiced h) = here, the location presently occupied, as opposed to somewhere else no matter how close or distant
Lak (as lock) = the arc or trajectory of an object (be it planet or tennis ball), orbit, gravity well influence, to encircle, to spiral
Lalli = space as defined by physical objects (a universe among many, stars, planets)
Lam (or llam) = emotion, feelings of the mind rather than the body, opinion (if object)
Lan (lanh) =
Leer (or liir/lihr) = to consider, ponder in context, directive to think on something, not Zurr/Tak but conceptual
Lees (or liis/liiz) = to lead, to command, elect, preside over, can be verb or object/person
Leh (or ley) = burden, weight, troubles, blame, downwards direction
Lih = spirit, Vortessence, non-physical self, energy
Lilli (also lili) = within reach, to grasp, to comprehend, sanity (?)
Lillimah = freedom, openness, space, existence without boundary, spirit in the emotional sense
Lud (or ludh) = acrid smell or taste, burning or tangy, something that leaves an aftertaste or lingers in the air
Lung (also lang, distinct g) = concentration, effort, attention in an extended sense, as opposed to Xkah which is immediate
Lurr (or lurh) = transference, healing, energy, between (distance between two things/when object)
Luu (or loo) = rest, sleep, inactivity, implies exhaustion rather than meditation
lihluu = dreaming, shehluu = snoring
Mah (or maa) = bare, plain, in view, obvious
Mach = sticky, glue, tar, a substance with a texture that snags, generally a physical property
Mei (or may) = granular, rubble, pebbles, something small or worn off from a bigger thing, sand or salt, ‘to grind’ (if verb)
Meh = to organize or sort, sift, pick through and place (not kth)
Mech (voiced h) = pinch, clasp, to close something that attaches to itself (verb), hinge or clasp (noun), a physical lock
Mii (or mee) = magnetism, attraction or synthesis between metals, magnetize (an object only), rarely for personality
Min (or minh) = strength, the quality of an object that is sturdy or hardy, muscularity (if object)
Mirr (or mirh) = reflex, something that is completely natural, happens without thought, can be ‘knee jerk’ if negative
Mit (or miht) = to absorb, soak, funnel, ingest (verbs), a sponge or siphon (object), usually physical but may be ‘revelation’
Moh (or moa) = imagination, fancy (whim), creativity, fantasy (not dreaming); to imagine, fantasize, visualize (verbs)
Morr = edge, the border of something/somewhere, delineation, generally physical but can refer to states of being/time
Mun (or moon, moo-oon) = to record physically, leave a trace, plant a trail, a marker or clue; both verb and noun
Murr = intimacy, closeness on a personal level, act of sex as a verb, implies both joy and satisfaction emotionally/physically
Muu (or moo, mo-oo) = the quality of taste or smell as opposed to texture or color, modified by other words
Nach (voiced h) = pathway, the trail of a journey, to follow or lead on such a journey, embarking (as a verb)
Nae (or nay) = wind, air currents (as opposed to simply ‘air’), from a breeze to a hurricane, natural storm (not portal/other)
Nahh (or nah, naa) = a beginning, the start, inception, the highest point, top of something (if object)
Net (pronounced neh’, abrupt end) = expected result, expectations of something that has yet to occur, projections, hopes
Nex (or neks) = energetic, enthusiastic, excitable, vibration, Brownian/electron movement, emotional and physical
Ni (or nee, nii) = male, of any species where there is a difference, ‘his/him/he’ modifying object/individual
Noh = ending, usually physical, death of a body, indicates natural death not enforced or negative
Nohaa (or nohah) = death at range, the effects of war, bullets or other weapons (if object), to shoot / fire (if verb)
Nox (or noks/nocks) = chunk of land, island, settlement, colony, foundation or base of operations, ‘breaking ground’ (verb)
Numi (or noomi) = physically artistic, creative, something pretty; artist, maker (not mental), creator (not inventor); piece of art
Nuy = unexpected, unpredictable, the unknown (as opposed to the obfuscated), insanity
Ny (or nie, nye) = the name of, to name or define, bestow; when used without permission is resoundingly negative
Oa (or wah) = loudness of a sound, booming, resonant, strident noise, raucous, ‘speak up’ (verb)
Odu (owe-due) = to dangle, swing, flap while attached to something; a flag or tail, rope
Ogg (or ogh) = but also, in addition to, an additional facet (such as ‘has both distant kin, but also close family’)
Ohm (or om/um) = elemental metal, ore, gems or crystals, any hard structure found in nature
Ord (as afford) = transmitted, airwaves, radio signal, technological method of communication (not Vortal, or in person)
Orm (as conform) = antlion worker; ormbah=eggs; ormlih=larva; ormturr=queen; ormdara=guardian; ormshuk=spitter
Osh (as wash/ocean) = to apply pressure, tighten, applies to a portion not whole (not siid); tourniquet, clamp
Ozh (or Ojh) = to elude, be subtle, pretend or be sly; hidden activities, subterfuge, ulterior motives/negative, escape/positive
Raa (or rah) = business, the practice of work, interaction, transfer of goods rather than ideas
Rach = a tool, an object or implement (used to imply that the object is in use, generally, with a verb), rarely describes weapons
Rae (or ray) = stripes, markings, rosettes, usually animal marks, variegated or mixed colorations
Rahd (or rod, pronounced ‘rawd’) = beauty as defined physically, to appreciate a physical aspect of any object
Rai (rye) = to spot, locate, have detected (visual or vortal), hunt or search for (not kree)
Razh (or rozh) = a very specific location or item, to target or home in on when verb
Ree (or rhee) = a plant, growing thing without a brain, lichen through trees
Rex (or rehx, reks) = to flutter, flap as wings or leaves; also natural erratic motion (as in a moth’s path)
Rihx (or rix, ricks) = distraction, lure, bait, something that is not what it appears, a trap of any sort
Roa (or row) = nebulous, fluffy, indistinct physical location, puffball, cloud, a blurry outline; vague, noncommittal
Rog (as dog) = to hold/hold up, display, carry an item prominently, show something while holding it, a badge/placard (object)
Ruhh (or ruu) = chill, cold, the element of ice, immobility (only of mobile object)
Rum = above, higher, heights in general, the upper portion of an object
Rus (roos) = style, distinction from others, way of doing things, unique flair, opposed to vouch is positive in nature
Rut (root) = to roll, rotate, tumble, spin, turn something that spins, be dizzy (physically), rarely refers to emotion
Ruun (roo-oon) = motionless as opposed to immobility, waiting, pause, inaction or slowness to react
Saa (or sah) = easy, simple, something uncomplicated or direct (when verb), un-built or ‘raw’ (when object)
Seh (pronounced say) = blood, fluid as applied to function (hydraulic, mercury), something valuable only when contained
Seng (or sang) = to pick or pry open, take apart in detail, analyze physically, ‘surgery’ or ‘autopsy’, puzzle
Sennah (or senaa) = time, immediacy, ‘now’, current event, neither the past nor future
Shaa (or shah) = opening of Vocal (not Vortal) communication over distance, ‘hello’ ‘goodbye’, message (if object)
Sheh (pronounced shay) = sound, the physical quality of a noise or something that can be detected audibly
Shii (or shee/shih) = mesh, something that is woven in itself or with another thing, ‘to mix’ or ‘weave’ when verb
Shuk (as shook) = to spray, spread in a conscious fashion, direct flow, spit or ejaculate (antlion acid, Gonarch spew)
Shuu (or shu) = offspring, young, brood, an indicator of relationship but not the connected idea of being family
Sii (or see) = pain, ache, usually indicating physical discomfort but can mean emotional
Siid (seed) = to compact, condense, push together, confine, encapsulate (verbs), noun examples ‘pill’ or ‘wad of paper’
Skaa (or skah, ska) = upright, standing, verticality; individual feature rather than landscape, to stand or perk up (verb)
Skee (or ski) = to set down, balance on something, layer, place atop; strata, layers of something, floors of building
Staa (or stah) = surface, covering, skin; to wrap or clothe when verb
Stu (or stoo) = to erase, remove, leave no trace or track, unmake, can refer to physical things or Vortal echoes
Sun (or soon) = physical barrier, shield, wall, armor/protection, implies that it is made or erected, not naturally present
Surr (or surh) = animal, that which does not have a true spirit but is still alive, non-intelligent creatures
Tahh (or taa) = something made, created, manufactured, non-natural items or substances (not negative in nature)
Tak (as tack) = to explore, be aware of surroundings, examine a broad subject/area, quantitative assessment (not Zurr)
Tal (also tahl/taal, pronounced tall) = a blunt strike, impact with a wide object rather than a cutting one; mace or hammer when object; can mean ‘landslide’ through ‘punch’ depending on context
Talash = (alert3 hl1) evade, dodge, anticipate attack, usually verb though rarely used with ‘chackt’
Tan (pronounced tahn) = small, lesser, on the losing side, younger if applied to comparing ages
Tao (as ow in ‘towel’) = split, divide, demark, something separated yet still is ‘the same’ item (serving of food, etc)
Tar (or tarh, taar) = symbol, abstraction, lettering or numerals; to write or code, ‘figure’; runes, carvings, signs (object)
Tash = and, also, in addition to, as well as, a conjunction implying a group of different things being described
Tay (or tae) = physical texture of wrinkling, fold, crease, something that has an un-flat surface, nook/cranny
Terr (or terh) = a location anywhere but where the speaker is, distant or close but not ‘here’
Thee (or thii) = pursuit, to chase or follow something/one (not kree), keep up with, seek or sniff out known things
Thoi = connection, family, bond of blood or community, ordered or ranked things
Tii (or tee/tih) = tolerant, patient, generally ‘of children/events/annoyances’, distinct from accept/resigned
Tirh (or tiir, as ‘fear’) = train others, serve (food), ‘checklist/manual’ when object, distinguished from teach by ‘need’
Toy (or toi)(hl1) = physical speed, motion on an individual level, ‘hurry up’/’snap to it’ as a command
Tsah (or tsaa) = sensation, perception, physically gathering items or information (opposed to vortally sensing)
Tul (as tool) = to reply, to respond, to form a rebuttal or argument, the contents of a reply (ni tul, beh tul – he said, she said)
Turr (or turh) = big, greater, on the winning side, elder
Tuu (or too) = growth, the act of experience (applied to an event), harmonious change as opposed to chaotic, progress
Ua (or ooah) = to submerge, immerse, usually in liquid but can mean emotionally; to drown, dunk, bury if solid
Uhn (pronounced on as in ‘gone’ or un as in ‘fun’) = acknowledgement, context-dependent, akin to roll-taking ‘here’
Ula (or ulah, oolaa) = artificially created, forced, a negative connotation of manufacturing, abrupt, inappropriate
Urr = enter, fill, become, generally a verb but can be combined to make nouns (doorway, etc)
Uya (or ooyah) = an opening, hole, portal, port-hole, open window or door, generally positive/natural (not ‘wound’)
Vahh (or vaa, vah) = mystery, secret, hidden facets, lies when very negative
Vech = the future, potential, things which have not happened yet
Veh (pronounced vay) = elemental air, breathable gas, also ‘lightness’ when applied to an object (weight), to clean (verb)
Vih (or vee) = to expand, spread, extend, as wings or Xenian spire if object; generally refers to physical objects or locations
Vin = hatred, dislike, distress over a situation, applying only to the idea and not describing an object
Voo = ending, violence, to cut, a knife or something sharp (when object)
Vort = talent, skill, usually implies non-physical such as intellect, power manipulation, or cleverness
Vortal = that person who uses skill, non-standard use of ahl’, rarely used for non-powered description
Vouch (pronounced voosh, irregular for spelling) = brand, taint, possibly ‘imprint of’, a negative connotation of possession
Vra (or vrah) = to stabilize, fasten, snug down, secure, anchor (both verb and noun); can mean ‘unwavering’ or ‘loyal’
Vurr = absence of space, togetherness, one, single item (when object)
Vuun (or voon, voo-oon) = to verbally recount, tell a story, record Vortally, recommend, oral history or performance
Xen (or zen, rarely) = escape, hidden place, hideaway, ‘other home’, can mean prison negatively (changes over time)
Xhaa (or zhaa) = to impress, scare, frighten (not surprise), intimidate; a person or task that is daunting
Xih (pronounced zee) = middle, center, balance, average, mid-point, ‘adulthood’ when compared to child or elderly
Xil (or zeel, zil) = out of the ordinary, oddity, rarity, weirdness; unlike when in a group, easily distinguished when object
Xkah (pronounced zih-kaa) = focal point, importance, of notice
Yee (or yi) = pleasant to touch, velvety, grained, ‘fur’ or ‘stubble’ as an object, ‘to pet’ as a verb
Yem = a positive opinion, to prefer something over another, to like something, to value or think highly of a thing
Yit = physical fragility, breakable, thin or brittle, also can imply emotional sensitivity or weakness
Yox (or yoks) = to distort, warp or twist, particularly of vision (such as heat haze), rarely mental/emotional
Zhey (or zhay) = dryness, aridity, lack of moisture, thirst, parched, to dry something out (verb)
Zich (voiced h) = to operate, manipulate, cause something to physically function, to activate or work on an item
Zoo (or zuu/soo) = to experiment, try different aspects or angles to approach a problem, think outside the box
Zuk (as took) = springy, bouncy, to bounce or bounce back, to jump, to rebound (physically)
Zurr = qualitative assessment, to size something up, mostly to form an opinion of something that is physical (not Tak)




***
Common Vortigese Phrases and Examples

Ahhhr, gaharra alla lillimah, = listen: we owe freedom from our bonds / we have been delivered from slavery
Bahh'chackt = mother, the act of bearing, or motherhood
Bahh-nach ha-mah = Crossroads, turning point, 'many roads, none of them obvious'
Bahh-ruu leh'chackt = many pieces of ice in motion: snowing/hailing
Bahh-voo'chackt = genocide, the deaths of many
Buu’eeya = … BOOYAH. Hard Fire. IT MEANS THE SAME THING
Buu'nach = stubborn, narrowminded, 'a stiffly followed/laid path'; also can mean 'rules and regulations'
Buu’nach Voo’nach = a stiffly followed path, a deadly path
Dan’chaa = I respect the wisdom of my elders, okay fine I’ll do whatever you want, have it your way
Dee jah = this stinks, this is useless, shit, a commonly spoken curse indicating minor displeasure
Dey'nach = how is it possible, asking for an explanation of a specific event or location, get directions, 'are you sure'
Dey nahh = get to the point, what is it you want
Gallum gaka lillimah = poetry, equating to 'we are proud to be given the gift of freedom'
Gallum lih (or Gallam'lih) = a joyous or gifted spirit
Ga-tsah nohaa = I saw that coming, see it from a mile away, 'saw the bullet in time'
Ha-keh = broken, generally applied to objects, when applied to people can mean 'disagreeable/disagreement'
Ha-leh = no worries, it's nothing, no trouble
Ha-lih = spiritless, without Vortessence, generally comparing a person to 'animal' or non-sentient life, but can also mean 'dejected' or 'broken in spirit'
Ha-naa'chackt = stop it, don't do that, cut that out/quit it, 'don't start that action'
Ha-saa, ha-shaa = not simple, not spoken (regarding the contracts of the Mystery and/or the Convocation)
Ha-tsah = blind, deaf, unable to perceive things, often ha-tsah mah is an insult describing stupid people, "can't see the forest for the trees/hand in front of your face"
Ha-xkah = don't look! Avoid focusing on something; alternatively 'unfocused', dizzy, attention-deficit type distraction
Hi-shuu = enemy's kin, 'not of our tribe', unacceptable relationship – 'disown' if applied to an individual already part of group
Jah leh = heavy shit, literally the negative weight of a thing or situation
Kallah'keh = be well, good health to you, a greeting/farewell, 'godspeed'
Kih chaa’vahh churr ha-shaa = a banquet of secrecy, within are kept secrets, mental nourishment, information unspoken
Kurr allu dey = they never learn, you have to instruct our allies more, literally 'teach and they still want more instruction'
Lam gram nahh'chackt = I look forward to this journey
Mah’chackt ha-dim = not a lightly made decision, ‘my eyes are open’, conscious of the fact that something is serious, after examination
Naa kee leh = warnings, don't start with me, don't give me trouble, troublemaker, literally 'within this skin is only trouble'
Often mistaken for nach hi'leh which can mean 'go to hell' or 'find your way to the enemy', walk off a cliff, or more moderately "go bother someone else"
Naa'chackt = start at the top, explain this please, 'woah, hold on'
Naa’net = above all expectations
Nach'hallam tahh gulallibah = a wave in the fabric between worlds, the chaotic artificial path forged between many dimensions, Used to describe Portal Storms
Nach ha-mah = lost, the path is not clear, nach ha-mah’chackt makes it ‘get lost’, inflection being the only way to tell whether it’s an instruction or a statement
Nach nuy = the path of insanity, losing one's mind, grief driven madness, also describes being lost in the Void, implying being unable to return to the all-in-one
Nuy'chackt ha-keh = unfixable madness, Alma's title (posthumous title, she has none)
Rach-churr'chackt = use a fork! Literally 'use the tool for eating'
Rach-gurrah'chackt = get buried, use a shovel to dig a hole
Ruunden-ket = a specific breed of the manta-like Xenian creatures, brownish, around 10’ across, hunted by Houndeyes, that situates itself just under the surface of the ground (literally ‘it is flat and hides motionless’)
Seh ha-kih = bleeding, losing blood or pressure (if not living), literally 'blood is coming out an opening in your body'
Seh ha-mah = not bleeding, no blood visible
Shaa’nohaa = houndeyes (sound of fired death)
Shu'ulathoi = unhatched advisors, literally 'young of the indecently created family'
Surr-churr = prey animal, creature for food
Tahh'chackt = maker, manufacturer, the person who creates items or builds things
Tan jah net = lower your expectations, don't expect much of this, it won't impress/surprise, literally 'expect only a little extra'
Thoi kih’chackt = a child within, pregnancy
Turr’chackt  = elders, those that are first
Ulathoi = universal union (combine) advisor species, specific to non-combined breeds (overworld native?)
Vahh'chackt =  to lie, to deceive, deceit in its active form; as opposed to Gallum'Vahh, which can be interpreted as 'surprise'
Voo-hi'chackt = death curse, cutting the Vortal cords, nonexistence; the act of cutting down one's enemy,  often chanted when attacking an enemy
Voo nuy'chackt = death from losing one's mind, a terrible death upon you, a curse spoken against an enemy, Basically, "die in a fire, you filthy fuck"
Voo'surr = predatory animal, also used to describe violent or savage behavior in people
Vouch'harra = slavery, indentured servitude
Vouch'kallah = taint, brand, sign, signifier of belonging to something that is not pleasant or overt, slave, Used to describe Icarus subjects
Vouch'lih = distinct energy signatures, generally 'evidence of spirits', not always negative, but often used to describe the Mystery's family or doings
Vurr-kallah-lih = spirit and body into one, psychic lovemaking, mixing two into one
Vurr'seh bahh'lih = same blood, many spirits, the differences between people, Melissa often uses this to describe Geoff and Pax's relation to one another
Vurr'chackt aglaa dan-alla, net nach'kurr-chaa, rach-min'chackt, bahh'gaka lam, keh galih lillimah = Return to the all-in-one and take a place of honor among us, for we hope your wisdom will guide us, your strength will bolster us, your memory will be shared among us all, and the interval will be peaceful (literally: go to the all in one with respect from our people, we hope the path will be made by your experience, you are the tool to our strength, many will take pride in your ideas, heal in death with a free spirit)



***
Titles of individuals

While some Vortigaunt names or titles see quite a lot of use, many are treated by Humans more like a nickname at best. Most Humans don't grasp the depth of truth that Vortigaunt titles achieve. These names take into account a multitude of connections and potentials, things which Vortikind is privy to but Humanity may not be. While most Vort words can be used to describe items, objects and people, when a title is bestowed, Vortikind collectively and instinctually knows what it means and to who/what it applies. There may be many bahh'chackt (mother) but there is only one Bahh'chackt gallum vahh (mother of mysteries and blessings). When multiple names are bestowed, they may be because Vortikind has encountered that individual or event numerous times, and can apply a new spin to the existing information. (Nach'lih kallah-vahh therefore is known by numerous different and extremely disparaging titles, but his first will always be the one which is preferable.)

When they fail to name something, and they have any number of reasons for this, it is often referred to as unnamed, however as they learn contextual words for things (clone, for instance, still has no place in their language, as it is so completely unnatural to them) they will often find it in themselves to name a previously ignored or forbidden item/person.

When they choose not to name something, it's highly unlikely they will find a new title unless things change radically. There is only one unnamed just now, that being Wilson Carver. The unnamed thing / person in question however, is not unknown in any way. Merely that they judge it somehow unworthy or impossible to speak of it. If there were more than one, flux-shifting context would be required to understand which of those things is being hinted at.

It is extraordinarily difficult to convince Vortikind to rename something once it's been titled. It's an extremely formal event, even if it doesn't overtly appear to be when they bestow a name. The Vortessence required to name something is substantial, but it would take an entirely stronger push to force a new title where there had already been one. Vortikind do not require names for themselves as individuals, however when among Humanity they do adopt their 'given name' and can even enjoy it. Many, however, disdain their use and prefer to call themselves 'this one' or similar phrases harkening back to their collective condition. Only one, Noah, has chosen a name for himself, and that further distinguishes him from his peers.

They are extremely fond of 'generational' naming: people which get a name more often than not also affect those beings around them, thus certain descriptive terms have come to have a specific connotation even if the word itself can be applied to many other ideas or concepts. (Vahh applied to almost any new person will never imply anything other than Nach'lih kallah-vahh¸ to the Vorts.)

Vortal input is vital to understanding specific names, just as it is to truly grasp any of their communication. Context is carried Vortally, so the mood or emotion, history or effect of a person will be blended directly into their pronunciation of a title. Vortigaunts know that history, even if they have never directly encountered the person, creature, object or event.

List of known Humans/Entities to the canon Repurposed-verse (added to, 1.23.14)

Bahh'chackt gallum vahh = Bearer of many mysteries and blessings, Mother of Surprises, Melissa's title
Beh’harrah = slave women, ELLs
Darr'lih keh-vahh = Paxton and Melissa's daughter, the light behind the shadows; bright spirit of forgiveness; 'Light of Redemption'
Dee-tsah'chackt = to sense too much, perceive more than necessary, Lynne's title
Ga-tahh'chackt (or beh-tahh'chackt) = the Artificer, she who loves making, Alyx Vance's title
Lih tsah mah = easily sees the soul, Seer of the Spirit, Teddie Kim's title
Nihilanth = captor, a specific name, not given by Vorts, instead this name was taken by itself
Nohaa tahh'chackt bahh = maker of death at a distance, She Makes Guns, Mars Walsh's title
Nach'lih kallah-vahh = spirit's path of shrouded flesh, Embodiment of Mystery, Skinwalker, Gman's title
   ha-keh nach, harra'leh, raa-vahh'chackt, raa-harra'chackt  = The broken path, the weight of debt, dealer of lies, slavemaker; generally things that Vorts refer to when speaking of kallah-vahh
Raa'nach-vahh = Wilson's title, the way of the Mystery's deal, how kallah-vahh dealt
Tsah nach mah = Seer of the Path, pathfinder, Geoffrey's title
Turr-allu-surr = animals' big brother, elder who makes allies of creatures, Jamie's title
Ula'beh ha-keh = She who is a broken device, GLADOS's title
Veh ha-kih = Isabella's title, uncontained lightness, into the air because she cannot be held
Vurr-allu'lih = togetherness of the allies, Kindred Spirit, Eli Vance's title
Xkah-shuu'vahh = the offspring of 'that which cannot be named', focus of the energy of the ancestor, Inheritor of the Mystery, Paxton Fettel's title


***
Listing of known Vorts: ((added 1.23.14))

Noah – keeper of the old ways. Eldest living Vortigaunt, dealer with the Mystery, instructor of Paxton. More than a little crazy.
Zurr’chakt kurr’chackt bim tash vech, he who balances future and past to teach others
Hazy – BM – aka Hazael, one of the Namers circle.
Thaddeus – BM – planning for finding Bella
Jeremiah – BM – planning for finding Bella
Levi – AC – Melissa’s strike team, takes most of the hit that destroys her hand, dies in the battle with GLADOS
Ben – AC – Geoff’s strike team
Elam – AC – Martin’s strike team, gives the Vortal prayer for Levi and Alonzo


***

List of non-canon but Repurposed-based silliness in other universes (such as World of Zekira, Ponyville, Sims, and other areas of the internet)

Maa’lach-vahh = blunt lies? In this place there will be lies told
Xih’shaa-vahh = speaker of the mystery, he who tells of others lies
Shaa’lah-vahh = voice amid confusion, a clear voice among the lies, link between others and the Mystery?
Ksaalah-vahh = confidently connects to the lies, also, alla is person/people, it’s likely this means ‘you’re screwed’ because she’s a lawyer
Morr'lih Vahh = the Spirit's Edge
Seh'daa Roon-vahh = the blood red shadow stalker
Shaanivahh = her allure sings to men
Laavehnaa Vahh = pathway to the mysterious clouds
Denvehlih (Rhiin) = Wings for the spirit to fly
Saalam (Sengihr) = pure emotion
Kihraa Vahh = business is hidden within
Kamahlah Vahh = smooth web of lies
Sehkih Jurrha'dah Vahh = Blackstone's Mysterious Blood (Blackstone being one of the other major characters in Zekiran politics as well as a substance known to inhibit psionic powers)
Kurr'lah Vahh = tell her your secrets and she will see connections

Eeya’lam = warm spirits, brightened emotions
Vahh’nahh = tip of the secrets, not seeing but a tiny bit of the truth
Zurr’gram = no doubt this is joyful, examine me I’m awesome
Chaa’rum = top of the class, very smart
Kallah’darr = bright body
Keh’vahh = fixing lies
Rah’lih = spirit of work
Tsah’lih = sees the soul
Dan’net = expects much of others
Bahh’shaa = talks a lot
Shaa’lih Vahh = so sings the spirit of mystery
Ha-buu = flexible, not stiffly adhering
Vurr’lahh = if lahh is ‘link’ or ‘between’, everything between us
Vahh’tan = little secret (( I really love this name ))
Ga’chackt beh = she who makes us happy
Keh’gaka = fixed pride
Bahh’chaa Vahh = she knows all the Mystery’s secrets
Laa Tash Nach Vahh = the connection and path of the Mystery
Ni-hallam’chackt Vahh = he who causes chaos
Daa’Tuu = growing colors, ‘the colors of change’
Voosh’hallam = the taint of chaos (agent grave + melpony)

Seh-lih kih’chakt Vahh = Mary’s title, within her is the lifeblood of the mystery


***
Swearing with Melissa

Melissa Larrabie comes up with some extremely fancy terms, mixing and matching traditional Vortigese taunts with her own spin. Certain Vorts have picked up a number of these curses, ensuring their survival into the future of their race. Good for her, you go Melissa! Of course, her name pronounced as Vortigese words, mah lih sah, can be taken to mean 'blunt spirit' or 'stating the obvious' – and Mel is blunt, if nothing else.

Dee'gog leh ha-tsaa mah = drowning in stupid (mastershadic2 on the forums), too much water dragging you down, dumbass
Dee jah voo'chackt = I will kill you, you piece of shit (literally, 'cause death to the stinky waste')
Dee-Turr'rach Jurr'eeya = a giant fork made of lava (courtesy of Strong I at spuf), excessively giant implement of hot ground
Gallum'dey = what a surprise, how is this? (literally 'explain this gift')
Kee-dee ha-tsah mah = Gigantic sack of stupid (literally 'held within this shell is immense foolishness')
Lam jah leh zurr ha-keh = you know what I think? I think this is fucked up garbage. (literally 'the opinion I have after looking it over, is that this is broken and shitty')
Nohaa vurr'chackt = step in front of a speeding bullet, will you? (literally 'close the distance between you and a bullet')
Tan hen turr'chackt = grow the fuck up (literally 'young or old, make up your mind')
Ha’gaka gurrah kallah = not proud of the nether body, Melissa’s personal curse to her uterus

***

Translations of some in-story dialog (added 1.23.14 but already in comments sections for each of the chapters they appear)


Dan’chaa = I respect the wisdom of my elders, okay fine I’ll do whatever you want, have it your way
Zurr chaa-bim gaharra gaka’kih  = I consider the weight of the past events, and I am proud to serve; Melissa’s promise to the Mystery
Ha-kshaa zurr’dey = there’s no rush, we must find more information before forming an opinion; Noah’s statement while the Vorts ponder naming Wilson
Ha-chaa min kih’lih tash kallah = it was forgotten, the strengths of both the spirit and body; we underestimated and forgot what we saw in him (Wilson)
Bahh’naa shaa-net, bahh’gaharra chaa’chackt  = there are many ways to show gratitude and many ways to interpret our words; many beginnings, words that hope, much gratitude in the act of sharing knowledge
Vin’net ha-ksaa ha-dan’chackt  = false expectations (or negative), without confidence, acting without honor; in haste and hatred we dishonored our subject (Wilson)

Bahh’chackt gallum vahh zurr ha-dim’chackt  = Melissa has no sense of humor
Tash ha-dan’chaa turr = and does no honor to her elders

Net’nuy = want to drive him crazy?
Dee hallam = too over the top
Sennah’lach = here and now
Ni-turr = he who is old, ‘my elder’, old man

Ga’net = of course, yes, what did you expect?

Mor kuu goo rah = spoken by vort as he heals Alyx in e2’s start, gu raa would mean motion of business, while gurah is underside so the statement is basically ‘this action has caused her to cling to the margin [of life and death]’
Ha-kuu = rather than meaning ‘not clinging’ this implies leeching or dragging, the negative connotation of connection/carry

Turr-thoi taa’terr kee ninety-seven, morr Hoyle? dey nach? = elder family (parents) within the distant City 97, near Hoyle? Could Alyx find out?

Ga-dim bim gram’chackt jah-vech = you enjoyed the jokes you’ve played, but its too much to continue, ‘you’ve had your fun now cut it out’