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Vulcan script

An example of Vulcan writing.

The Vulcan language (also known as Old Vulcan) was the language of the Vulcan people of the planet Vulcan. (TOS novelization: Star Trek: The Motion Picture)

History and specifics[]

Humans were typically known to have difficulties in reproducing Vulcan speech. (TOS novel: The Patrian Transgression)

The Vulcans of Darien 224 also spoke an archaic form of Vulcan, having been stranded away from the rest of Vulcan culture for two millenia. (EV comic: "Cloak and Dagger") The word "reshek" was a symbol within the Vulcan alphabet of which it was the third. (TOS novel: Corona) In the Vulcan language, the words for science and philosophy sprung from the same route in that both disciplines needed to be pure, logical as well as free of emotions. (TOS novel: Crisis on Vulcan)

In the modern Vulcan language, the word for idiot is derived directly from an older compound word that means "one who fails to participate in civil affairs." (TOS novel: Spock's World) It also contained no word that corresponded to "coincidence". (TOS novel: The Entropy Effect) In addition, there was no Vulcan word for comedian and thus they were forced to use the English version when referring to it. (TOS novel: The Vulcan Academy Murders)

This was evident by the fact that there was no term for joke within the Vulcan language. (TOS novel: Crisis on Vulcan)

It was also stated that there were no curse words within their tongue. (TOS novel: Dreams of the Raven)

In more antiquated Vulcan language, when emotion was still commonplace, was the sentiment, "I grieve with thee". It stated empathy and sympathy for one in turmoil, with no foreseeable answer in logic. (TOS episode: "Amok Time", TOS novel: The Return)

Dialects[]

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Glossary[]

adronn feltara
aelaehih'bili're
Phrase that meant "mind-peace", the act of clearing one's mind from other thoughts. (TTN novel: Taking Wing)
akhra
To do with the practice of Vulcan nomenclature, the akhra name is an extended apellation that may be pronounced aloud by non-Vulcanoids. (TOS novel: Crossroad)
An-Prele
arie'mnu
arivne
A religious term expressing an equivalence between matter, energy, and thought. (TOS novel: Planet of Judgment)
ashv'cezh
Literally, "revenge worse than death". (TOS novel: Spock's World, TOS novel: Vulcan's Glory)
a'Tha
A word referring to the apparent knowledge of the Vulcan people that a higher power (i.e. God) does indeed exist. Falls under the Rule of Silences. (TOS novel: Spock's World)
Av'adeh'dna
The Vulcan equivalent of fate, Klingon Honor or Bajoran pagh. (DS9 - Day of Honor novel: Armageddon Sky)
besaya glantaya
Phrase translates as "stellar observer", name of starship Besaya Glantaya. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)
b'lltarr
bertakk
See bertakk soup.
cthia
Literally defined as "reality-truth" in Vulcan religion/philosophy, methods of emotional self-control and teachings of pacifism. The term cthia is also known simply as logic. (TOS novel: Spock's World)
c'torr
dorli fai-tukh
Phrase translates as "honored knowledge", name of starship Dorli Fai-tukh. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)
DVel'nahr
dwemish Hi-An
eiihu
Enok-Kal Fi Lar
eschak
et'Khior
fai-tukh
Application of word translates as "knowledge", as in the names of the starships Dorli Fai-tukh and Yeht Fai-Tukh. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)
fal chaya
Phrase translates as "noble endeavour", name of starship Fal Chaya. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)
farr-kahli
filrak
forati
See forati sauce.
fullara
heya
mountain. (TOS novel: Spock's World)
ihntya
kah
The Vulcan word for the draw of Pon farr. There is no Human word. (TOS novel: Planet of Judgment)
kah-if-farr
kah-if-fee
The Vulcan command to begin a marriage ceremony. (TOS novel: Planet of Judgment)
kahri-torrafeiaca
ka-ta-pak
kaiidth
Word in the Vulcan language, roughly the equivalent of "What is, is" in Federation Standard. "When one accepts what cannot be changed, one begins to think like a Vulcan." (TOS novel: Dwellers in the Crucible)
kal-toh
kalifee v'rekor
katra
katra-Ut-Bala
kleetanta
koon
Application of word translates as "challenge", as in the names of the koon-ut-kal-if-fee or the starship Tor-ut Koon. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)
koon-ut-kal-if-fee
The "marriage or challenge". (TOS episode: "Amok Time")
klee-et
Vulcan language term used at the start of certain types of combat. (TOS novel: Planet of Judgment)
klee-fah
Basically means, "let's fight." (TOS novel: Planet of Judgment)
krenath
kroykah or kroyka
Vulcan command that literally means, "stop!" or, "halt!" (TOS episode: "Amok Time")
k'vath
Enter, come, proceed. (TOS novel: The Prometheus Design)
lan-dovna
lirt'k
L-Lersa
loshiraq
A physical position, referred to as the "open posture," used by Vulcans during meditation. (TOS novel: Strangers from the Sky)
lunikkh ta-Vik
manil arek
Archaic Vulcan term that meant "swift death". Over the years, the term became distorted in the Romulan language and became known as ma'l Arik. (TOS - Vulcan's Soul novel: Epiphany)
mia-zed
ni var
Term referring to a whole composed of two parts or halves. (TOS - New Voyages 2 short story: "Ni Var")
Later used as the name of a starship Ni'Var and the re-naming of the planet Vulcan, as Ni'Var, after the Romulan reunification.
Nirak
actually a name of an ancient Vulcan soldier who stood guard over the city of Gol and failed to see an army approaching. He was allowed to live and his failure led to his name meaning "fool" in the Vulcan language. (ENT episode: "Kir'Shara")
nehau
Gut feeling, literally vibes. (TOS novel: Spock's World)
pahn-ree
Phrase translates as "pathfinder", name of starship Pahn-Ree. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)
pau
Term when translated meant "Corona". (TOS novel: Corona)
p'laaka
Term referring to places that are prone to unpredictable events. (TOS novel: Crossroad)
plak tow
"Blood fever" rage experienced during pon farr. (VOY episode: "Blood Fever")
pon farr
plomeek
See plomeek soup.
qual-se-tu
Vulcan interrogative phrase asking, "Is it thou?" Depending on the inflection, it's similar to the Latin question, "Et tu, Bruté?" (And you, Brutus?) Julius Caesar's final words. (TOS movie: The Final Frontier , novelization : Star Trek V: The Final Frontier)
s'haile
seheik
Old Vulcan word for "declared". This term was adopted by early Romulans and became djective. in their new language. (TOS novel: The Romulan Way)
shal'tiar
shali bahn
spa'ash
Vulcan word, used as a derogatory adjective. (ENT novel: Age of the Empress)
s'url
Vulcan word for a Surakian school of logic. (ST novel: Captain's Blood)
talal
Application of word translates as "truth", as in the names of the starship Yeht Talal. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)
tarul-etek
t'coraca
tela'at
terau-kashkau-veh-shetau
translated to mean "Our minds are merging, becoming one" and part of the incantation of the Dashaya-Ni'Var ritual which had not been spoken for over two thousand years by 2267. (VAN novel: Open Secrets)
tesare
than'tha
t'hy'la
Vulcan word, in the intimate context of "lover". In casual, as a dear "friend" or "brother" (TOS novelization: Star Trek: The Motion Picture)
tor-ut koon
Phrase translates as "sacred challenge", name of starship Tor-ut Koon. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)
t'Kahr
t'san s'at
tviokh
A word for "neighbor", but used in negative terms (Dr. McCoy states "it's not a nice word", and explains it as preferring your neighbor to be under their land - in other words, dead - rather than living on it). (TOS novel: Spock's World)
val'reth
viltah
v'tosh ka'tur
Term for "...Vulcans without logic." Viewed as outsiders to the traditional Vulcan way of repressing emotions and practicing logical behavior. (ENT episode: "Fusion")
vokau
term for "Remember". (ENT episode: "The Forge")
vrekasht
A word for "outsider", often used as an epithet. (TOS novel: Sarek)
yeht fai-tukh
Phrase translates as "true knowledge", name of starship Yeht Fai-Tukh. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)
yeht talal
Phrase translates as "true discovery", name of starship Yeht Talal. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)
zchliak
Term meaning "friend". Raksha called this word out aboard the starship Nautilus to inform Spock that the yagghorth Nemo was a friendly monster. (TOS novel: Crossroad)

Phrases[]

  • "Zero" - when a situation became too complicated, this referred to the need to return to the starting point. For example, "they must zero." It was equivalent to a statement to calm down or relax in other languages. (FASA RPG module: The Orions: Book of Common Knowledge)

Appendices[]

Connections[]

Languages
AltarAndorian languages (AndoriiGraalen/GraalekGreater AndorianLesser Andorian) • Bajoran (BalwanOld BajoranOld High Bajoran) • Beta Promethean • Earth languages (Anglo-SaxonBasqueCelticEnglishFarsiFrenchGaelicGermanGreekHebrew/YiddishIboItalianJapaneseLatinMandarinRussianSpanishSwahiliTagalogWelsh) • EsperantaFederation Standard (Galacta) • Ferengi (Trading Tongue) • Galacta (Federation Standard) • GornGrennaiKlingonese (Battle LanguageKlin trade patoisKlingonaaseKumburanRumaiynta'HoltlhIngan Hol/pIqaDWarrior's Tongue) • MakaroNemarOld HebitianOld High MartianOld IllyanOlisuOmearanOrion language (High OrionKolariLow OrionTrader's Tongue/Trader's ScriptYrevish) • OrishanPaklitPayavPeRealm DialectRemanRigellian Trade DialectRomulan (RihannsuHigh RihanLow RihanOld High Rihannsu) • Sign language (Gestural idiom) • SeshtoTaklathiTarnTellaran (Civil Conversation) • TholianTzikaa!nVeganVulcan (Ancient VulcanHigh TongueModern VulcanOld High Vulcan) • XenexianXlatitigu

External link[]

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