Part 27: Appendix: D'ni Language
Appendix: D'ni Language
We're back to school for this one.
Remember the letters on the walls? They're from the D'ni language, a fleshed out and translatable language with quite a bit of complication behind it. I mean there's seriously arcane grammar rules, translatable words in a separate alphabet, the works.
The alphabet itself is a 25 symbol (natch) phonetic alphabet, which certainly doesn't help our hero on Riven, but the language has been translated and picked over by plenty of fans.
For our sakes, we're going to look at some of the examples of D'ni language lying around Riven and what they mean.
First, the Gateroom, with three prayers on the walls.
quote:
The Ink
Our lord Gehn has blessed us by giving us the formula to make the Ink.
We thank our master for the privilege of manufacturing the Ink he uses.
quote:
The Books
Our lord Gehn has blessed us by giving us the procedure to make the Books.
We thank our master for the privilege of manufacturing the Books he uses.
quote:
Our Master
Our lord Gehn has blessed us with his presence.
We dedicate our existence to our master Gehn,
The creator and protector of our world.
Praise Gehn, the maker of worlds!
The Great Golden Dome also has some D'ni around the edges of it. It says;
quote:
The end of this world is near
There's also a bit of D'ni around the small building on Map Island, the one with the metal pin maps.
quote:
Our lord Gehn has instructed us to learn all.
And coming back to the school, we have the following on the blackboard.
quote:
The Rules of Gehn
Gehn is our master
Gehn created us
Gehn defeated Atrus