Sangheili (language): Difference between revisions

{{Quote|Their language doesn't translate in a literal manner, and each word has multiple meanings.|[[Cortana]]<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 156''</ref>}}

[[File:Sunaion Triangle symbols.png|thumb|350px|Sangheili scripture on Sunaion.]]

'''Sangheili''' describes multiple dialects of a language spoken by the [[Sangheili|species of the same name]]. Though the [[:Category:Covenant species|member species]] of the [[Covenant]] had their own unique languages, an advanced dialect of Sangheili, known as '''basic Sangheili''',<ref>''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]'', ''[[Hunting Party]]''</ref> came to serve as the [[Wikipedia:Lingua franca|''lingua franca'']] throughout the entire Covenant Empire.<ref name="wpcov">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/covenant '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Covenant'']</ref> And as such, many names of member species are derived from the Sangheili.<ref name="Ghost">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'''</ref> Even after the [[Great Schism|fragmentation]] of the Covenant, many former client species of the Covenant continue to use the Sangheili language in lieu of their native tongues; Sangheili has even replaced their native language for many.{{Ref/Reuse|wpcov}} A specific trade pidgin also existed within the [[Covenant fringe]].<ref name="axl">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/axl '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Axl'']</ref>

Though originating with the Sangheili, an advanced dialect of their language has come to be the Covenant ''lingua franca'', used to connect the different races and species.{{Ref/Reuse|wpcov}} Curiously, in several instances of Forerunner-related terminology, the Sangheili appear to use the English translations of the original Forerunner terms, as for "[[Forerunner]]", "[[Requiem]]", "[[Reclaimer]]", "[[Ur-Didact|Didact]]", and "[[Librarian]]".<ref>'''Halo 4''', ''Spartan Ops''</ref>{{Ref/Note|It should be noted that in ''Spartan Ops'' subtitles, these terms are phonetically transliterated from Sangheili speech (e.g.  "Dieduckt", "Liebuh-Rahrian", "Reecleymah") rather than using their proper spellings.}} During the [[San'Shyuum-Sangheili War]], the [[San'Shyuum]] obtained a comprehensive understanding of the Sangheili language by brutally torturing and interrogating [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]]. After establishing peace with the Sangheili, the San'Shyuum of the fledgling Covenant relied on [[translation software]] built into their [[anti-gravity chair]]s to understand the language.<ref>'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''page 22'' (Google Play edition)</ref> The [[Ussans]] developed in isolation from other Sangheili, and their language evolved into a different form of the Sangheili dialect. It possessed similarities to Old Sangheili,<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 276'' (Google Play edition)</ref> but the language developed into a new dialect that could not be readily understood by the "average" Sangheili.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 204'' (Google Play edition)</ref>

Sangheili language includes 8 main vowels (/ä/, /ɑ/, /i/, /ɪ/, /e̞/, /ɔ/, /o/ and /u/) and 18 main consonants (/s/, /z/, /ʂ/, /ʐ/, /q/, /ɢ/, /ʈ/, /ɖ/, /f/, /b̪/, /ħ/, /j/, /ɰ^β/, /ɱ/, /ɳ/, /ɴ/, /ɻ/ and /ʔ/). Three more consonants also appear in words borrowed from other Sangheili dialects or alien languages. These are /p̪/, /ɺ^ɽ~ɭ/ and /ʋ/. In certain instances, the sounds /o̞/, /ɕ/, /ʑ/, /w/ and /ɽ/ can appear as allophones of /ɔ/, /ʂ/, /ʐ/, /ɰ^β/ and /ɻ/ respectively. Furthermore, /ɯ^β/ and /ʊ/ are allophones of /u/ while /ə/ can serve as allophone of /ä/ and /e̞/ when those two sounds are weakened.

File:Halo_2_Wallpaper_UNSC.png|A ''Halo 2'' wallpaper with Covenant symbols.

File:Halo_2_Wallpaper.png|A ''Halo 2'' wallpaper with Covenant symbols.

File:Halo wallpaper translations.png|Translations of the two ''Halo 2'' wallpapers.

File:Shade_Normal_Triangles.png|[[Type-26 Shade]] symbols in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.

File:Carbine numbers.png|Numbers 00 to 18 that appear on the {{Pattern|Vostu|carbine}} in ''Halo 4''.

File:Bumbed Covenant Alphabet.png|Known alphabet of this type.

File:Covenant glyphs H4FUD.png|Bumped triangle type used prior to the battle of Circinius IV in ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''. From right to left written vertically: 7 Reclamation.  

File:Strom_Rifle_overheat.png|{{Pattern|Kelos'Vaarda|storm rifle}} temperature symbol in ''Halo 4''.

File:Elite_Commander_symbols_and_patterns.png|[[Sangheili Commander]] symbols and patterns in ''Halo 4''.

File:Phantom_forerunner_symbol.png|Symbol that appears on the [[Type-52 Phantom]] in ''Halo Reach''.

A Covenant language was created by David Peterson, creator of the Dothraki language used in ''Game of Thrones'', for ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.{{Ref/Twitter|k_wolfkill|1507493397807788032|Kiki Wolfkill|Quote=@CharlieBMurphy literally learned an entire new language and performed beautifully in that language.  Unreal. Language created by David Peterson who created Dothraki for GoT #HaloWatchParty|D=25|M=03|Y=2022}} Peterson posts transcripts for the words and their translations in a series of posts on Archive of Our Own, accessible [https://archiveofourown.org/series/2828287 here].

File:Halo 4 Concept Art by Albert Ng 04b.jpg|Concept art of control panels with Sangheili symbols on it.