Editing Sangheili (language)

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Quote|Their language doesn't translate in a literal manner, and each word has multiple meanings.|[[Cortana]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=HFSC16|FS|Chapter=16}}}}

[[File:Sunaion Triangle symbols.png|thumb|350px|Sangheili scripture on [[Sunaion]].]]
{{Series/Species/Sangheili}}
'''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/Comic|Id=HTFSHP|HTFS|Story=Hunting Party}} came to serve as the [[Wikipedia:Lingua franca|''lingua franca'']] throughout the entire Covenant Empire.{{Ref/Site|Id=HWUFCovenant|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/covenant|Site=Halo Waypoint|Section=Universe, Factions|Page=Covenant|D=21|M=1|Y=2021|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/covenant.html}} 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|HWUFCovenant}} A specific trade pidgin also existed within the [[Covenant fringe]].{{Ref/Site|Id=HWUCAxl|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/axl|Site=Halo Waypoint|Section=Universe, Characters|Page=Axl|D=21|M=1|Y=2021|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/axl.html}}

==Description==
Text, or writing, in Sangheili appears to be mostly triangle shapes and composed almost completely of equilateral triangles. The triangular characters have been seen oriented both in the horizontal left-to-right direction and in a vertical right-to-left direction.<ref name="fud1">'''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''', ''Part 1''</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|HWUFCovenant}} 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>

==Structure==
Sangheili words generally consists of simply structured syllables. Most syllables consist of a single consonant (e.g. /s/) or a consonant complex (e.g. /t͡s/) followed by a long vowel or a diphthong or in rarer cases a short vowel or a short vowel followed by "n". Other types of syllables include a moraic "nn", a short vowel, a single diphthong, a triphthong, or a long vowel. Finally, some syllables in the middle or, more commonly, at the end of their word might have their vowel component devoiced.

==Intonation==
Sangheili generally seems to possess word stress, though the possibility of dialects featuring pitch accent shouldn't necessarily be excluded. Sangheili words usually possess only a primary stress with longer words sometimes possessing a secondary stress in the first syllable. The primary stress usually falls on the penult (second from last syllable). However, in many words the stress might fall on the ultima (last syllable) or antepenult (third from last syllable).

==Phonology==
The 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<sup>β</sup>/, /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<sup>ɽ</sup>~ɭ/ and /ʋ/. In certain instances, the sounds /o̞/, /ɕ/, /ʑ/, /w/ and /ɽ/ can appear as allophones of /ɔ/, /ʂ/, /ʐ/, /ɰ<sup>β</sup>/ and /ɻ/ respectively. Furthermore, /ɯ<sup>β</sup>/ and /ʊ/ are allophones of /u/ while /ə/ can serve as allophone of /ä/ and /e̞/ when those two sounds are weakened.

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Sangheili consonant phonemes
|-
!  !! Labiodental !! Alveolar !! Retroflex !! Palatal !! Dorsal !! Glottal
|-align="center"
! Nasal
| ɱ || || ɳ || || ɴ ||
|-align="center"
! Flap
| (ʋ) || || ( ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup> ~ ɭ ) || || ||
|-align="center"
! rowspan="2" | Plosive
| (p̪) || || ʈ || || q || ʔ
|-align="center"
| b̪ || || ɖ || || ɢ ||
|-align="center"
! rowspan="2" | Fricative
| f || s || ʂ [ʂ ~ ɕ] || || || ħ
|-align="center"
| || z || ʐ [ʐ ~ ʑ] || || ||
|-align="center"
! Approximant
| || || ɻ [ɻ ~ ɽ]|| j || ɰ<sup>β</sup> [ɰ<sup>β</sup> ~ w] ||
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Sangheili vowel phonemes
|-
!  !! Non-Back !! Back
|-align="center"
! High
| i || u [u ~ ɯ<sup>β</sup> ~ ʊ]
|-align="center"
! Near-high
| ɪ ||
|-align="center"
! High-mid
| || o [o ~ o̞]
|-align="center"
! Mid
| e̞ [e̞ ~ ə] ||
|-align="center"
! Low-mid
| || ɔ
|-align="center"
! Low
| ä [ä ~ ə] || ɑ
|-align="center"
! Diphthongs
| colspan="2" | e̞ɪ äɪ äu ɔɪ ou
|}


Consonants /ɳ/, /ɱ/ and /ɴ/ can in some cases be moraic, in which case they are geminated and pronounced as /ɳ:/, /ɱ:/  and /ɴ:/. In addition some consonant complexes can be formed. These are /ʈ͡ʂ/, /ʈ͡ɕ/, /ɖ͡ʐ/, /ɖ͡ʑ/, /t͡s/, /ʈɰ<sup>β</sup>/, /ɖɰ<sup>β</sup>/, /ɳɰ<sup>β</sup>/ and /ɳɱ/.

/ɳɱ/, /ɳ:/ and /ɱ:/ appear only when /ɳ:/ precedes a labiodental /b̪/ or /ɱ/ resulting in /ɳ:/ being pronounced as either /ɳɱ/, /ɳ:/ or /ɱ:/ for phonological reasons.

When followed by /i/, consonants /ʂ/, /ʐ/, /ʈ͡ʂ/ and /ɖ͡ʐ/ can be pronounced as /ɕi/, /ʑi/ /q<sup>j</sup>i/, /ɢ<sup>j</sup>i/, /ħ<sup>j</sup>i/, /ʈ͡ɕi/ and /ɖ͡ʑi/ respectively.

When followed by /i/, consonants /q/, /ɢ/ and /ħ/ can be pronounced as /q<sup>j</sup>i/, /ɢ<sup>j</sup>i/ and /ħ<sup>j</sup>i/ respectively.

/ɴ/ and /ɴ:/ appear before or after the uvular consonants /q/ and /ɢ/ in place of /ɳ/ and /ɳ:/.
/ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup>~ɭ/ can sometimes be heard as either ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup> or ɭ but is generally an intermediate sound. The sound /ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup>~ɭ/ itself has no human equivalent.
/ɻ/ and /ɽ/ allophones of the same consonant. In reality they are only approximates of the Sangheili r sounds which has no human equivalent. Most users prefer to use /ɻ/.
/ä/ is near front and closer to the Japanese /ä/ but some speakers pronounce it as a central vowel like the Italian /ä/. Some speakers use /ä/ insead of /ɑ/.
/e̞/ and /i/ are near front vowels and not front vowels.
/ɔ/ and /o̞/ are allophones of the same vowel. As such their use depends on the speaker’s preference.
/ʊ/ can be used instead of /u/ when /u/ is short only.  
/ɯ<sup>β</sup>/ can be used instead of /u/ regardless of whether /u/ is short or long. The sound itself is compressed and neither rounded nor fully unrounded. It is pronounced like the Japanese u.
/ɰ<sup>β</sup>/ is a compressed labiovelar approximant. It can also be symbolized as /w<sup>β</sup>/.  It is pronounced like the Japanese w.

Sometimes /ɖ͡ʐ/ can be pronounced as /ʐ/ or /ɖ͡ʐ~ʐ/.

Sangheili also makes use of the following diphthongs:

/e̞ɪ/, can be pronounced as /e̞j/ before vowels

/ou/ also pronounced as /oɯ<sup>β</sup>/, /oʊ/, /o̞u/, /o̞ɯ<sup>β</sup>/ or /o̞ʊ/

/äɪ/

/ɔɪ/ also pronounced as /o̞ɪ/ and sometimes pronounced as /ɔj/ or /o̞j/ before vowels.

/äu/ also pronounced as /äɯ<sup>β</sup>/ or /äʊ/ (rare)

==Phonetic transcription==

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Summary of letter-to-sound correspondences
|-
! Letter(s) !! Corresponding sound(s)
|-
| a || /ä/<br />/ə/ if the syllable is weakened
|-
| aa || /ɑ:/ ~ /ä:/
|-
| ae || /äə/ ~ /äe̞/ ~ /e̞:/
|-
| ah || /ɑ:/ ~ /ä:/
|-
| ai || usually, /äɪ/<br />alternatively, /e̞ɪ/
|-
| au || /äu/ ~ /äɯ<sup>β</sup>/ ~ /äʊ/
|-
| ay || /e̞ɪ/<br />/e̞j/ when followed by a vowel<br />/äj/ (rarely)
|-
| e || /e̞/<br />/ə/ if the syllable is weakened
|-
| eay || /ɪ.e̞ɪ/
|-
| ee || /i:/ ~ /ɪ:/
|-
| eh || /e̞:/
|-
| ei || /e̞ɪ/<br />/i:/ (rarely)
|-
| ey || /e̞ɪ/<br />/e̞j/ when followed by a vowel
|-
| i || /ɪ/
|-
| ie || /äɪ/
|-
| o || /ɔ/ ~ /o̞/
|-
| oh || /ɔ:/ ~ /o̞:/
|-
| oo || /u:/ ~ /ɯ<sup>β</sup>:/ ~ /o:/
|-
| ou || /ou/ ~ /oɯ<sup>β</sup>/ ~ /oʊ/ ~ /o̞u/ ~ /o̞ɯ<sup>β</sup>/ ~ /o̞ʊ/
|-
| oy || /ɔɪ/ ~ /o̞ɪ/<br />/ɔj/ ~ /o̞j/ when followed by a vowel
|-
| u || /u/ ~ /ɯ<sup>β</sup>/ ~ /ʊ/
|-
| uh || /u:/ ~ /ɯ<sup>β</sup>:/
|-
| uu || /u:/ ~ /ɯ<sup>β</sup>:/
|-
| y || /j/ between two vowels or at the beginning of a word<br />/ɪ/ at the end of a word, before a consonant, or after any consonant except "nn"
|-
| m || /ɱ/
|-
| n || /ɳ/<br />/ɴ/ when adjacent to /q/ or /ɢ/<br />/ɳ ~ ɳ<sup>ɱ</sup> ~ ɱ/ when followed by any labiodental consonant ( /ɱ/, /b̪/, /p̪/, /f/, /ʋ/)
|-
| nn || /ɳ:/<br />/ɴ:/ when adjacent to /q/ or /ɢ/<br />/ɳ: ~ ɳɱ ~ ɱ:/ when followed by any labiodental consonant
|-
| v || /ʋ/
|-
| l || /ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup> ~ ɭ/
|-
| p || /p̪/
|-
| t || /ʈ/
|-
| k || /k ~ q/<br />/k<sup>j</sup>~q<sup>j</sup>/ when followed by /i/ or /e̞/
|-
| ' || /ʔ/
|-
| b || /b/
|-
| d || /ɖ/
|-
| g || /g ~ ɢ/<br />/g<sup>j</sup>~ɢ<sup>j</sup>/ when followed by /i/ or /e̞/
|-
| gh || /ɢ ~ ɢ<sup>h</sup>/<br />/ɢ<sup>j</sup>e̞:/ and /ɢ<sup>h</sup>e̞:/ when followed by "e" (thus forming "ghee")<br />/ɢ<sup>j</sup>e̞ɪ/, /ɢ<sup>h</sup>e̞ɪ/, /ɢ<sup>j</sup>i:/ and /ɢ<sup>h</sup>e:/ when followed by "ei" (thus forming "ghei")
|-
| f || /f/
|-
| s || /s/
|-
| sh || /ʂ/<br />can be pronounced /ɕ/ when followed by /i/
|-
| h || /ħ/<br />/ħ<sup>j</sup>/ when followed by /i/
|-
| z || /z/
|-
| ts || /t͡s/
|-
| ch || /ʈ͡ʂ/<br />can be pronounced /ʈ͡ɕ/ when followed by /i/
|-
| j || /ɖ͡ʐ ~ ʐ/<br />can be pronounced /ɖ͡ʑ ~ ʑ/ when followed by /i/
|-
| r || /ɻ ~ ɽ/
|-
| w || /ɰ<sup>β</sup> ~ w/
|-
| tw || /ʈɰ<sup>β</sup>/
|-
| dw || /ɖɰ<sup>β</sup>/
|-
| nw || /ɳɰ<sup>β</sup>/
|-
| - || Used following "h" to separate syllables.<br />Example: "uh-eh" is pronounced /u:i:/, "uheh" as /uħe:/ 
|}

In order to phonetically transcribe Sangheili, 343 Industries uses the following transliteration system:

===== Vowels and dipthgongs =====
* a e correspond to /ä/ and /e̞/ respectively. Both can correspond to /ə/ if the syllable is weakened.
* aa corresponds to /ɑ:/. Some speakers pronounce it as /ä:/ though.
* ae corresponds to /äə/ or /äe̞/ or /e̞:/. In the latter two cases it is not a diphthong.
* ah corresponds to /ɑ:/. Some speakers pronounce it as /ä:/ though.
* ai corresponds to /äɪ/ or /e̞ɪ/ but is usually pronounced /äɪ/.
* au corresponds to /äu/, /äɯ<sup>β</sup>/ or /äʊ/ depending on the speaker's preference.
* ay corresponds to /e̞ɪ/. When followed by a vowel it corresponds to /e̞j/. It may rarely be pronounced as /äj/ and not be a diphthong when y is part of a different syllable but that is unknown.
* eay corresponds to /ɪe̞ɪ/. In this case the diphthong is /e̞ɪ/ and /ɪ/ is syllabic.
* ee corresponds to /i:/ but can be pronounced as /ɪ:/ or /i~ɪ:/
* eh corresponds to /e̞:/
* ei corresponds to /e̞ɪ/ or /i:/ (rarely) depending on the speaker's preference.
* ey corresponds to /e̞ɪ/. When followed by a vowel it corresponds to /e̞j/.
* i corresponds to /ɪ/.
* ie corresponds to /äɪ/.
* o corresponds to /ɔ/ and /o̞/ depending on the speaker's preference. 
* oh corresponds to /ɔ:/ and /o̞:/ depending on the speaker's preference.
* oo corresponds to /u:/. Some speakers also pronounce it as /ɯ<sup>β</sup>:/ or /o:/.
* ou corresponds to /ou/, /oɯ<sup>β</sup>/, /oʊ/, /o̞u/, /o̞ɯ<sup>β</sup>/ or /o̞ʊ/ depending on the speaker's preference.
* oy corresponds to /ɔɪ/ or /o̞ɪ/ depending on the speaker's preference. When followed by a vowel it corresponds to /ɔj/ and /o̞j/ respectively.
* u corresponds to /u/. Some speakers might also pronounce it as /ɯ<sup>β</sup>/ or /ʊ/.
* uh corresponds to /u:/. Some speakers might pronounce it as /ɯ<sup>β</sup>:/.
* uu corresponds to /u:/. Some speakers might also pronounce it as /ɯ<sup>β</sup>:/.
* y corresponds to /j/ when it is between two vowels, or at the beginning of a word. When it is at the end of a word or before a consonant or after any consonant except nn it corresponds to /ɪ/.

===== Consonants =====
* m corresponds to /ɱ/.
* n corresponds to /ɳ/. When n is followed or preceded by the uvular consonants /q/ and /ɢ/ it corresponds to /ɴ/ and when followed by any labiodental consonant ( /ɱ/, /b̪/, /p̪/, /f/, /ʋ/) it corresponds to /ɳ<sup>ɱ</sup>/ or /ɳ~ɱ/.
* nn corresponds to /ɳ:/. When n is followed by the uvular consonants /q/ and /ɢ/ it corresponds to /ɴ:/ or /ɳɴ/ or /ɳ:/ and when followed by any labiodental consonant ( /ɱ/, /b̪/, /p̪/, /f/, /ʋ/) it corresponds to /ɱ:/ or /ɳɱ/ or /ɳ:/. 
* v corresponds to /ʋ/.
* l corresponds to /ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup>~ɭ/. It can sometimes be pronounced as ɭ or ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup> ɺ<sup>ɽ</sup> by the same speaker due to phonological reasons. Most of the times though l is pronounced identically to r.
* p corresponds to /p̪/.
* t corresponds to /ʈ/.
* k corresponds to /q/ or /k~q/, but is pronounced as /q<sup>j</sup>/ when followed by /i/ or /e̞/.
* ' corresponds to /ʔ/
* b corresponds to /b̪/
* d corresponds to /ɖ/.
* g corresponds to /ɢ/or /g~ɢ/, but is pronounced as /ɢ<sup>j</sup>/ or /g~ɢ<sup>j<sup>/ when followed by /i/ or /e̞/.
* gh corresponds to /ɢ/ or /ɢ<sup>h</sup>/ depending on the speaker's preference. When followed by e (thus forming ghee) the resulting sounds will be /ɢ<sup>j</sup>e̞:/ and /ɢ<sup>h</sup>e̞:/. When followed by ei (thus forming ghei) the resulting sounds will be /ɢ<sup>j</sup>e̞ɪ/, /ɢ<sup>h</sup>e̞ɪ/, /ɢ<sup>j</sup>i:/ and /ɢ<sup>h</sup>e:/.
* f corresponds to /f/
* s corresponds to /s/.
* sh corresponds to /ʂ/, but can be pronounced as /ɕ/ when found before /i/.
* h corresponds to /ħ/, but is pronounced as /ħ<sup>j</sup>/ when followed by /i/.
* z corresponds to /z/.
* ts corresponds to /t͡s/.
* ch corresponds to /ʈ͡ʂ/, but can be pronounced as /ʈ͡ɕ/ when found before /i/.
* j corresponds to /ɖ͡ʐ/, but can be pronounced as /ɖ͡ʑ/ when found before /i/. The sounds /ɖ͡ʐ/ and /ɖ͡ʑ/ can be pronounced as /ʐ/or /ɖ͡ʐ~ʐ/ and /ʑ/ or /ɖ͡ʑ~ʑ/, respectively.
* r corresponds to /ɻ/ and /ɽ/ depending on the speaker's preference.
* w corresponds to /ɰ<sup>β</sup>/. Sometimes some speakers can pronounce it as /w/.
* tw_, dw_, nw_ correspond to /ʈɰ<sup>β</sup>/, /ɖɰ<sup>β</sup>/ and /ɳɰ<sup>β</sup>/, respectively. The symbol [_] represents any vowel. 
* - is used after h to eliminate confusion by separating syllables. For instance is pronounced as uh-eh as /u:i:/ while uheh as /uħe:/

==Vocabulary==
Note: All words in the following list should not be pronounced as if they were English. Please refer to the phonetic transcription system above.

Ancient words, names, and words of extinct or other Sangheili languages.
{{scrollbox|
:'''Unggoy''' - Grunt
:'''Kig-Yar''' - Jackal
:'''Sangheili''' - Elite
:'''Yanme'e''' - Drone
:'''Jiralhanae''' - Brute
:'''Lekgolo''' - Hunter
:'''San'Shyuum''' - Prophet
:'''Huragok''' - Engineer (taken from the Forerunner name "Huragok")
:'''Fohranah/Fohran''' - Forerunner
:'''Neru Pe 'Odosima''' - [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]]<ref>'''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''', ''page 95''</ref>
:'''A'ul''' - Lump of wood<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 24''</ref>
:'''Kel''' - Light (that dances on the waves)<ref>'''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''', ''page 23''</ref>
:'''Silket''' - Spear<ref>'''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''', ''page 45''</ref>
:'''Laqil''' - [[New Llanelli]]<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 295''</ref>
:'''Sqala''' - [[Venezia]]<ref>'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 262''</ref>
:'''[[Quillick]]''' - Small hunter<ref name="BC1">'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''Chapter 1''</ref>
:'''[[QezoY'asabu]]''' - Obsidian Wing<ref name="universe">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/banshee '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Banshee'']</ref>
:'''Dohmayinn''' - Domain
:'''Leevrukah''' - [[Guardian]]{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}<ref>'''[[Hunt the Truth Season 2]]''', ''Episode 04: JACKALS''</ref>
:'''Wort''' - Go
:'''[[Nishum]]''' - Intestinal parasite; a common insult towards humans<ref>'''Halo: The Thursday War''', ''page 79''</ref>
:'''Jir'a'ul''' - Lump of wood; a common insult towards Jiralhanae
:'''Rakoi''' - [[Carrow]]<ref name="Map">''[[Halo: Envoy]]'' - [[Carrow]] map</ref>
:'''Saban'amnsir''' - Red Fang<ref name="CF100">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/sweet-centennial '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Canon Fodder #100: Sweet Centennial'']</ref>
:'''Nalsaban''' - Crimson{{Ref/Novel|Halo: Vertical Umbrage}}{{Ref/Site|Id=Vertical|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-4-vertical-umbrage|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Halo 4 - Vertical Umbrage|D=07|M=11|Y=2022}}
:'''rwr'u a'uamr'ep''' - Cube gambit (Sangheili term for the human game "[[liar's dice]]"){{Ref/Site|Id=CF156|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-fleetcom-fiction|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Fleetcom Fiction|D=14|M=8|Y=2024|LocalArchive=Armory Infinitum#Pinpoint Needler}}
:'''Sovolanu''' - [[Reach]]{{Ref/Novel|Id=HVS|Halo: Venezian Sonata}}
}}

Modern words with known or assumed meanings based on context.
{{scrollbox|
:'''Sangayri''' - Sangheili
:'''Kigyaa''' - Kig-Yar
:'''[[Kaidon|Kaydon]]''' - Clan leader<ref name="Cole">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]'''</ref>
:'''[[Ossoona]]''' - Eye of the Prophet<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 28''</ref>
:'''Dohmoh'Eenngahnehnn''' - [[Human]]<ref name="H4T1">'''[[Halo 4]]''' - ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminal 1]]''</ref>{{Ref/Note|Id=phonetic|This is a phonetic spelling. The proper rendering has not been confirmed in canon.}}
:'''Dohmoh''' - Human<ref name="H4T1">'''[[Halo 4]]''' - ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminal 1]]''</ref>{{Ref/Note|Id=phonetic|This is a phonetic spelling. The proper rendering has not been confirmed in canon.}}
:'''Eenngahnehnn''' - Human<ref name="H4T1">'''[[Halo 4]]''' - ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminal 1]]''</ref>{{Ref/Note|Id=phonetic|This is a phonetic spelling. The proper rendering has not been confirmed in canon.}}
:'''Eenngaynehnn''' - Human'''[[Spartan Ops]]'''{{Ref/Note|Id=phonetic|This is a phonetic spelling. The proper rendering has not been confirmed in canon.}}
:'''Oochahns''' - [[Shipmaster]]{{Ref/Reuse|H4T1}}{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Chohkah''' - Shipmaster {{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}'''[[Spartan Ops]]'''
:'''Rutah-shiboh''' - Shipmaster?{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}'''[[Spartan Ops]]''', ''[[Catherine|E3 Catherine]]''
:'''Jeeneh''' - Soul{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Nou''' - Cognate with English "no", as a negative response<ref name="H4T1">'''[[Halo 4]]''' - ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminal 1]]''</ref>
:'''Ey''' - Cognate with English "''No''" and "''not'',<ref name="H4T1">'''[[Halo 4]]''' - ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminal 1]]''</ref>{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}<ref>'''[[Spartan Ops]]''', ''[[Catherine|E3 Catherine]]''</ref> also used as an interjection<ref>[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]</ref>
:'''Eedah-yook/eedah-ookoh/eedook-yoo''' - Brother{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Ehnteh-yookoh''' - Loyal friend{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}'''[[Halo 4]]''' - ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminal 1]]''
:'''Me-hoh''' - refers to a group in which the speaker is a part of.<ref name="H4T1">'''[[Halo 4]]''' - ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminal 1]]''</ref>{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Tahshee''' - refers to a third group, which the speaker is not part of. Also means different.<ref name="H4T1">'''[[Halo 4]]''' - ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminal 1]]''</ref>{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Kuhtahshee''' - refers to something that is very different, like an alien or in some cases human.<ref name="H4T1">'''[[Halo 4]]''' - ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminal 1]]''</ref>{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Kohyahkuhmoh''' - Vector<ref name="H4T1">'''[[Halo 4]]''' - ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminal 1]]''</ref>{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Mahgahchee''' - Approach<ref name="H4T1">'''[[Halo 4]]''' - ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminal 1]]''</ref>{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Eennah''' - Like/who/whoever Meaning varies significantly depending on context.{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Reh''' - make/made{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Deedah''' - gift {{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}'''[[Spartan Ops]]''', ''[[Catherine|E3 Catherine]]''
:'''Kooay''' - Bring (command form){{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}'''[[Spartan Ops]]''', ''[[Catherine|E3 Catherine]]''
:'''Musuyano''' - Rest/Remains/Remnant
:'''gahkaboonoh''' - travel/go at
:'''Gah''' - It, this, He, him
:'''Woh''' - He, him
:'''Jah''' - I, me, we
:'''Wah''' - You (2nd person)
:'''Nohkoh''' - Keep (verb,command form)
:'''Se''' - away from/from {{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Rugee-ee''' - Rise (command form){{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Runah-udoh''' - Progress{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Eedahyoh-ahyoh''' - After him (command form){{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Jahn-rayn-chay''' - Intruder{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Rohyahyah''' - Faster (command form){{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Gah raykoh''' - This is{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Kahnoh''' - Treasure{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}'''[[Halo 4]]''' - ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminal 1]]''
:'''Ree-oh''' - will/will be, ~is, are{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}'''[[Halo 4]]''' - ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminal 1]]''
:'''Cheennsay''' - Warrior{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Cheenoh''' - Life{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}'''[[Spartan Ops]]''', ''[[Catherine|E3 Catherine]]''
:'''Keeoh-eesay''' - Death{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Geeoh neechuh''' - Forever vigilant{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}
:'''Sunaion''' - Westward temple of the sea
:'''Igzuk''' - An insulting descriptor of some kind.{{Ref/Novel|HO|Chapter=18}}
}}

==Transliterated Sangheili==
—Nnse-kooree-koocha nee-ey-mawoo.

Dieduckt gahkaboonoh Liebuh-Rahrian musuyano. Kaboonzaywah wohchitah kneekohsoh woorumahtwo.

Nntahbonwon sayoh.
Gah-eymayoh Reecleymah toymeh-ushou zosuerohkoh!

Nnkahchee kahnohmoh keenoh ruh-ehnahsheewah cheeruh-eh tayruh-ah. Wahshahteh rohneeahkeh nohkoh wahnahkohroh neeoh-yohnoh sahgahkay. Tahgee wahkeetoh ruhnehdah-ee nnkah-ee tahgee tahruh-yah. Promethean wahzeguhkah kahjee mah.

Neetohmoh neekohnoh.

Cheenoh-ee. Keeoh-eesay. Geeohneechuh.

Cheennsay rehmah-oh. Cheennsay nnteh-hahdeh.

Kaidon sohruh kaysuhtah.

Neeshoh eesah Aabeetah tay shee shoh hyuhmahnn. 'Mdama wooeeee kehnndoh. 

Nnrah kahwah ahkeeteh yoh-uh yoh-uh.

Sheennshee roh-ehtahmahnay. Kraken bayoh-hoh.

Promethean ee-hahshee-hoo 'Mdama eerayrah cheennshee. Wahrahtsuah uhtohkah nohkoh eekahtahtah rohkehmah.

Ruhnahshuh ee-hah sheewoo Sangheili ruh-ahnee. Prophet ruh-ah-ee.

Suhrahnahkah sohkuhfoo sohruhsuh.

Gay uhsoh. 'Mdama zurahnahkahgah zohkuh-oh beechee.

Nn-ee eeseh kaysah. 

Nn-nee nnseh shuhkohroh.

Didact sah-ee nay.

==Non-native speakers of Sangheili==
Several species, including [[human]]s,<ref name="gl17">'''Halo: Glasslands''', ''page 17''</ref> [[Mgalekgolo]],<ref>'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn'''</ref> [[Unggoy]],<ref>'''Halo 4'''</ref> and [[Kig-Yar]]<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''' ''page 92''</ref> are able to speak Sangheili. Not all races can speak the same language due to evolutionary design restrictions; for example, the [[Yanme'e]] could only communicate through a cacophony of high-pitched clicks and screeches.<ref name="Contact">'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 311''</ref><ref name="ENC">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''pages 148-149''</ref> To facilitate easier communications between member species, [[translation software]] is used on Covenant ships to decipher words.<ref>'''Halo: Broken Circle''', ''page 277'' (Google Play edition)</ref> During and after the [[Human-Covenant War]], several humans were able to understand Sangheili :
*[[Catherine Halsey]]<ref name="Spops8">'''Spartan Ops''', [[S1/Expendable|S1E8 ''Expendable'']]</ref>
*[[Evan Phillips]]{{Ref/Reuse|gl17}}
*[[Luther Mann]]{{Ref/Reuse|hitd}}
*[[Melody Azikiwe]]
*[[Mike Spenser]]<ref>'''Halo: Mortal Dictata''', ''page 394''</ref>
*[[Olympia Vale]]<ref name="hitd">'''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'''</ref>
*[[Jacob Keyes]]<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', ''Truth and Reconciliation''</ref>
{{Clear}}

==Symbol types==
There are four known written types of the Sangheili language.

===Triangle type (original cipher)===
This triangle variant of the written language has a few key features. They are a big triangle surrounded by numerous smaller triangles. These smaller triangles are known to be closer to the corners of the bigger triangle, and can either be floating above the corner, or very close to it. The direction of the bigger triangle is not set, leading to there being numerous possibilities to what one symbol could mean. The bigger triangle is also known to have semi-circles cut out of the middle of its sides, sometimes filled with circles. Sometimes the triangles points are not there and are replaced by a circle. Sometimes rectangles are involved in the symbols. There is also thinner and longer triangle symbols in this type of symbols. These can have a smaller triangle at its smaller side or not.

There are a few different translations for these types of symbols. They are seen often in transmissions and on control panels. These have been in use as early as [[2531#February|February 4th 2531]] in transmissions during the [[Harvest Campaign]].<ref>'''[[Halo Wars Launch Site]]''' ''Original Source Defunct''</ref>

====Triangle alphabet 1====
<gallery>
File:Alphabetcovenantsy1.jpg|Covenant alphabet used in several systems and consoles.
File:Halo wars site main 1.jpg|A Covenant system over [[Harvest]] that uses this alphabet.
File:Control_Pannel_Halo_4_Spartan_Ops.png|A control panel with the symbols on it. The words "Activated Shild" appear on this.
</gallery>

====Triangle alphabet 2====
<gallery>
File:H2 Wallpaper Master Chief and ODST.png|A ''Halo 2'' wallpaper with Covenant symbols.
File:H2 Wallpaper Tartarus and Brutes.png|A ''Halo 2'' wallpaper with Covenant symbols.
File:H2 Wallpaper Covenant translations.png|Translations of the two ''Halo 2'' wallpapers.
</gallery>

====Other triangular characters====
<gallery>
File:Halo 2 Prima Guide Symbols.png|Symbols for the Covenant vehicles in ''Halo 2's Prima Guide''.
File:Halo 3 Sangheili Armor Symbol Patterns.png|The ''Halo 3'' campaign [[Combat harness|Sangheili combat harness]] triangle symbols.
File:Halo 3 Elite HUD Zoom.png|Sangheili combat harness [[HUD]] magnification system with these symbols on it in ''Halo 3''.
File:Assembly glyphs.png|Glyph patterns that change one by one on [[Assembly]] in ''Halo 3''.
File:All symbols that appear in Uprising.png|All symbols that appear in ''[[Halo: Uprising]]''.
File:Halo_Uprising_Covenant_Speech.png|The Covenant speech in ''Halo: Uprising''.
File:Package bomb countdown.png|Most of the known countdown of an [[antimatter charge]] in ''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''.
File:Allianz Zahlen.png|From left to right: Assumed Covenant numbers 0,1,3, 4, and 5.
File:Covenant_symbol.png|Symbol used on the ''Halo Reach'' project page.
File:Covenant LogoHD.png|The symbol of the [[Covenant]].
File:H5Covenant Logo.png|The Sangheili scripture for the word Covenant. First seen on Sunaion. Notice that it is a mirrored version of the previous image. The image is a Photoshop recreation.
File:Covenant SymbolHorizontal.png|Horizontal version of the Symbol of the Covenant.
File:Halo Reach Sangheili Symbols.png|Symbols that appear on the armor of Sangheili in ''Halo Reach's'' campaign.
File:Halo Reach Sangheili compass.png|The ''Halo Reach'' Sangheili combat harness compass. Big triangle with the point up is North, big triangle with the point down is South.
File:Halo_Reach_Sangheili_Armor_Zoom.png|The ''Halo Reach'' Sangheili combat harness zoom.
File:Jackel symbol.png|Symbol at the back of [[Kig-Yar|Jackals]] in ''Halo Reach''.
File:Skirmisher Symbol.png|Symbol that appears on the shoulder armor of [[Skirmisher]]s in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Halo_Reach_Weapon_Symbols.png|Symbols on weapons in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Halo Reach Vehicle symbols.png|Symbols on vehicles in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Covenant Switch.png|Triangle type around a Forerunner type symbol in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Symbols_found_on_covenant_corvette.PNG|Another look at the previous symbols.
File:Com_node_symbols.png|Triangle type seen on a [[Covenant communication node]] in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Needle_Rifle_Zoom.png|Triangle type symbols found on the [[Gadulo-pattern needle rifle}}|needle rifle]] zoom.
File:Baricade_symbols.png|Triangle type symbols seen on a Covenant vehicle fuel storage unit in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Covenant_box_symbols.png|Triangle type symbols seen on a [[Covenant supply case]] in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Halseys Journal Covenant Language Symbols.png|One of [[Catherine Halsey|Doctor Halsey's]] attempt to understand the Covenant language, documented in [[Dr. Halsey's personal journal|her journal]].
File:Sword triangle.png|Energy sword triangle symbols.
File:Halo 4 Spartan Ops Jul transmission.png|[[Jul 'Mdama]] contacting Doctor Halsey in ''[[Spartan Ops]]''.
File:Dead Arbiter symbols.png|Casket for a dead [[Arbiter]] in ''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Halo 2: Anniversary's Terminals]]''. 
File:Shade_Normal_Triangles.png|{{Pattern|Rizsheda|Shade}} symbols in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
</gallery>

===Bumped triangles type===
These triangle symbols are similar to the base triangle type. They are big triangles with a spike coming out near the corners. Smaller triangles, unlike the triangle type symbols, are closer to the middle of the sides, touching the spike coming out near the corner.

There is sometimes a smaller triangle taken out the sides of the bigger triangles, and sometimes triangle taken out the middle of them also.

These are often seen in transmissions and also on control panels. These have been in use as early as [[2526|April 26, 2526]]  in transmissions during the [[Battle of Circinius IV]].<ref>'''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn'''</ref>
====Normal use====
<gallery>
File:H5G The Sprint Covenant Font.png|Covenant Alphanumerical Forms
File:H4 Carbine numbers.png|Numbers 00 to 18 that appear on the {{Pattern|Mosa|carbine}} in ''Halo 4''.
File:HP Bumbed_Covenant_Alphabet.png|
File:H4FUD Covenant glyphs.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:FUD_CovenantCode.jpg|Bumped triangle type used prior to the battle of Circinius IV in ''Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''.
File:FUD CovenantCode2.jpg|Another view of the code prior to the battle of Circinius IV in Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn''.
File:Soft Patch.png|Mark VI soft patch for Covenant [[armor abilities]] in ''Halo 4''. From left to right it writes: 1, 2, 3, Covenant armor Camouflage, 117.
File:Control Pannel Bumped triangle.png|A control panel with the symbols on it in ''Halo 4''.
File:Halo trailer symbols.png|Bumped triangles in numerous ''Halo 4'' and ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' marketing.
File:Spiked glyph Escalation.png|Bumped triangles in ''[[Halo: Escalation]]''. The door panel reads: Opens. 
File:Sagnheili Data Pad.png|Sangheili [[data pad]] in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
File:Halo_5_Truth_control_panels.png|Control panels with the symbols on them on the map Truth in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
File:Truth_control_panels_2.png|Control panels with the symbols on them on the map Truth in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
File:Truthsigils.png|Closer look on a couple of the symbols on a control panel.
File:Sunion Control Panel.png|[[Sunaion]] control panel.
File:Commedation Covenant.png|Covenant symbol for the Commendations in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
File:H5_forge_sangheili_glyphs.png|A texture sheet for Bumped Triangle type script from Halo 5: Forge
</gallery>

==== Weapons and vehicles ====
<gallery>
File:Halo 5 weapon symbols.png|In normal symbols for weapon status in ''Halo 4'' and ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
File:Strom_Rifle_overheat.png|{{Pattern|Kelos'vaarda|storm rifle}} temperature symbol in ''Halo 4''.
File:Type-27 Beam rifle zoom.png|{{Pattern|Zubo|beam rifle}} zoom symbols in ''Halo 4''.
File:Carbine Zoom.png|Type-51 carbine zoom symbols in ''Halo 4''.
File:Fuel Rod Symbols.png|{{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun}} zoom on off target and on target symbols in ''Halo 4''.
File:Halo_4_Ghost_symbols.png|Ghost patterns related to this type of symbols in ''Halo 4''.
File:Lich Controls.png|{{Pattern|Kmiro'sish|Lich}} control panel with these symbols on it in ''Halo 4''.
File:Plasmagrenadesigils.JPG|Covenant symbols on a plasma grenade.
File:Shade_Symbols.png|Type-26 Shade symbols in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
File:H5G-FRCzoom-Campaign.png|{{Pattern|Gespu|fuel rod gun}} zoom symbols in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
File:Target.JPG|Logogram that indicates that a target is inside the weapon's reticule.
File:TempBatery.JPG|From left to right: temperature and energy/battery level/battery sigils. The temperature one can also be found upside down when zoomed. 
File:Halo 5 covenant weapon symbols.png|All base ''Halo 5: Guardians'' Covenant weapon symbols
File:Halo 5.6.jpg|Covenant symbols on a storm rifle, notice the temperature symbol glowing red.
File:Covenantsigil.png|Covenant symbol found on weapon variants in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
</gallery>

====Armor====
These are all the symbols and patterns related to them.
<gallery>
File:Elite storm symbols and patterns.png|[[Sangheili Storm]] symbols and patterns in ''Halo 4''.
File:Zealot_symbols_and_patterns.png|[[Sangheili Zealot]] symbols and patterns in ''Halo 4''.
File:SangheiliWarriorsymbolsandpatterns.png|[[Sangheili Warrior]] symbols and patterns in ''Halo 4''.
File:Elite_Commander_symbols_and_patterns.png|[[Commander (Covenant)|Commander]] symbols and patterns in ''Halo 4''.
File:Ranger elite.png|[[Sangheili Ranger]] symbols and patterns in ''Halo 4''.
File:Jackel storm symbols and patterns.png|[[Kig-Yar Storm]] symbols and patterns in ''Halo 4''.
File:Jackel heavy symbols and patterns.png|[[Kig-Yar Heavy]] symbols and patterns in ''Halo 4''.
File:Grunt_storm_symbols_and_patterns.png|[[Unggoy Storm]] symbols and patterns in ''Halo 4''.
File:Grunt_heavy_symbols_and_patterns.png|[[Unggoy Heavy]] symbols and patterns in ''Halo 4''.
File:Ranger_grunt_symbols_and_patterns.png|[[Unggoy Ranger]] symbols and patterns in ''Halo 4''.
File:Halo 5 Grunt symbol.png|[[Unggoy]] armor symbol in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.
</gallery>

===Forerunner symbol type===
These symbols are often borrowed or adapted from actual [[Forerunner symbols]] for use in speech, on [[Combat harness|Sangheili armor]], and even on Covenant technology.
====External====
<gallery>
File:Halo2.com_Forerunner_symbols.png||Covenant Forerunner symbols as seen on ''[[Halo2.com]]''.
File:Covenant Line symbols.png|Forerunner small line type symbols as seen on a ''Halo 2'' marketing poster.
File:Mark_of_Shame.jpg|[[Mark of Shame]].
File:Speaking_Elite.jpg|Sangheili speech represented by Forerunner glyphs.
File:Harvest Covenent chatter.png|Symbol pattern used by the Covenant for [[Harvest]].
File:Covenant Switch.png|Cyan symbol that appears on a switch in ''Halo Reach''.
File:Glyph of Faith.JPG|The Glyph of Faith.
File:Covenant_Node_Halo_CE.png|Two Forerunner type glyphs appearing on a [[Covenant communication node]].
</gallery>

====Armor====
<gallery>
File:Elitesymbol1.png|The non-glowing cyan symbol is found on the back of [[Stealth Sangheili]] and [[Sangheili Zealot]]s.
File:Covenant_Halo_3_Elite_Symbols_forerunner.png|[[Sangheili Minor]] harnesses emblazoned with Forerunner glyphs.
File:Sangheili forerunner symbol.png|White symbol that appears on the Sangheili armor in ''Halo Reach''.
File:Grunt Symbol.png|White symbol that appears on Grunts in numerous games.
File:Halo 2 anniversary Armor Glyphs.png|Two symbols painted on Sangheili armor.
File:Prophet_chair_symbol.png|Symbol used on the Prophets' [[anti-gravity chair]]s.
File:Security footage Sangheili glyphs.png|Symbols imprinted on the combat harness of a Sangheili Minor.
</gallery>

====Weapons and vehicles====
<gallery>
File:HaloCE-PlasmaGrenade.png|Green {{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}} symbol in ''Halo CE''.
File:H2-PlasmaGrenade.png|Green plasma grenade symbol in ''Halo 2''.
File:PlasGren.png|Green plasma grenade symbol in ''Halo 3''.
File:Sword_Study_HRB_1.jpg|Energy sword hilt with Forerunner symbols on it.
File:Reach T1 Plas Grenade.png|Green plasma grenade symbol in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Forerunner_symbols_Covenant_weapons.png|Weapons in ''Halo Reach'' with Forerunner symbols on them.
File:Phantom_forerunner_symbol.png|Symbol that appears on the {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}} in ''Halo Reach''.
File:Halseys Journal Covenant IRIS symbol.png|A symbol that appears in the inner workings of the [[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet]] that closely resembles that of the [[Iris]] artifact glyphs.
File:Halo 4 Sword Symbols.png|Energy sword symbols in ''Halo 4''.
File:H2A Render PlasmaGrenade.png|Green {{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}} symbol projecting the symbol for [[Installation 04]].
</gallery>

===Sunaion and Sangheili ruins symbols===
====Ancient Sangheili triangle type====
An ancient version of the Sangheili script appears in Sangheili ruins and ceremonial [[curveblade]]s. Symbols similar to the modern triangular symbols appear. They can also be seen on modern [[Swords of Sanghelios]] flags.
<gallery>
File:Halo 5 animated poster ancient sangheili.png|Ancient Sangheili on the ''Halo 5: Guardians'' animated poster.
File:Ancient Sangheili vadam flags.png|Ancient Sangheili on [[House of 'Vadam|Vadam]] flags in the ''Halo 2: Anniversary Terminals''.
File:Curve Blade.png|Ancient Sangheili on a curveblade.
File:SangheiliScripture.png|Ancient Sangheili on Sangheili ruins.
File:Sunaion Triangle symbols.png|This appears throughout Sunaion.
File:Triangle_Shield.png|These appear on barriers throughout Sunaion.
File:H5ancientsangheili.png|A collage of Ancient Sangheili Triangle Type script found on textures in Halo 5
</gallery>

====Ancient Sangheili circle type====
Usually next to ancient Sangheili triangle types on ancient Sangheili scriptures.
<gallery>
File:Ancient Sangheili circles.png|Numerous circles found on several scriptures.
</gallery>

====Mural type====
This type is numerous symbols and images.
<gallery>
File:Ruins Mural 1.png|A mural found in Sangheili ruins.
File:Ruins_Mural_2.png|A mural found in Sangheili ruins.
File:Ruins Mural 3.png|A mural found in Sangheili ruins.
File:Ruins_Mural_4.png|A mural found in Sangheili ruins.
File:Ruins Mural 5.png|A mural found in Sangheili ruins.
File:Ruins_Mural_6.png|A mural found in Sangheili ruins.
File:Ruins Mural 7.png|A mural found in Sangheili ruins.
File:Ruins_Mural_8.png|A mural found in Sangheili ruins.
File:Ruins Mural 9.png|A mural found in Sangheili ruins.
File:Burial Murals.png|A mural found in Sangheili burial ruins.
File:Sunaion Consol.png|Murals on a console that can be used.
File:Sunaion_Murals_and_symbols.png|Symbols and murals throughout Sunaion and Sangheili ruins.
File:Sunaion_Murals_and_symbols 2.png|Symbols and murals throughout Sunaion and Sangheili ruins.
File:Sunaion Mural.png|A big mural on Sunaion.
File:Sunaion Guardian Symbol.png|A mural that has a version of the [[Guardian]] symbol on it.
File:H5G_TsunamiStationWriting_Concept.jpg|Concept art for a mural in Sunaion.
</gallery>

==Production notes==
{{Listen|title=Deleted material: Elite speech from [[Deliver Hope]]
|filename=Elite speech.ogg
}}
Before the release of ''[[Halo 2]]'', the official website at [[Halo2.com]] was [[Halo2.com (Covenant)|made to look like a Covenant computer]] complete with the Sangheili language. This language was a simple cipher with the triangular characters. In addition to Halo2.com, a released wallpaper contained triangular characters that made use of this cipher. After the Halo2.com site, the cipher changed. Two wallpapers were released with an entirely new cipher still using the triangular characters. Neither this cipher or the previous one have been used subsequently, though the triangular characters are still commonly used.

The Covenant speech in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' is actually able to be translated.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/4cd2gy/hi_im_marty_odonnell_audio_director_and_composer/d1ibbbz/ Marty O'Donnell AMA]</ref> A common useful word to understand in gameplay is "awugapu," which is used to announce that a grenade is being thrown.

The languages in their original form are heard in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''. In ''Halo 2'', their words are translated for the convenience of the player. Elites in ''Halo: CE'' spoke a deep, warbling tongue. This was achieved by reversing the voice acting of [[David Scully]]. The ever-popular "Wort, wort, wort!" shouted by many Elites during gameplay is actually [[Sergeant Johnson]]’s famous "Go, go, go!" reversed and sped up.<ref name="gogogo">[http://forums.bungie.org/halo/archive5.pl?read=105659 EliteSpeak]</ref> The hissing-like language of the Jackals is actually the English language reversed. This, and the other Covenant languages ([[Yanme'e|Drones]], [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]]), have remained the same since ''Halo 2''.

According to voice actor [[Wikipedia:David Sobolov|David Sobolov]], who played [[Ripa 'Moramee]] in [[Halo Wars]] and [[Jul 'Mdama]] in [[Halo 4]], the fictional language spoken by the Elites in Halo 4 was a "made-up language that was based on Japanese," that started out as being improvised by the voice actors. Except due to legal concerns, the voice lines and language were intentionally scripted instead. Because of the complexity of the fictional language, "it took almost ten minutes per line to record" and required extra time to record than usual.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqimsG-eGpQ Youtube - TFcon: Halo 4 had its own Language w/Bumblebee voice actors David Sobolov & Jon Bailey]</ref>

In ''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'', Sangheili hieroglyphics were inspired by [[:Wikipedia:Islamic art|Islamic]], [[:Wikipedia:Culture of Mongolia#Fine arts|Mongolian]], and [[:Wikipedia:Indian art|Indian art]], as well as [[:Wikipedia:Egyptian hieroglyphs|Egyptian]] and [[:Wikipedia:Maya script|Mayan hieroglyphics]].<ref>'''[[The Art of Halo 5: Guardians]]''', ''page 82''</ref>

A [[Sangheili (language)/Silver|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].

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Sangheili vowels.png|Sangheili vowels as pronounced in the games and live action films by Sangheili.
File:H4 CovenantTerminal Concept 1.jpg|Concept art of control panels with Sangheili symbols on it.
File:Halo 4 Emblem Covie Sigil.png|Emblem of a Covenant symbol in ''Halo 4''.
</gallery>

== List of appearances ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Landfall]]''
**''[[Halo: Arms Race]]''
**''[[Halo: Combat]]''
**''[[Halo: Last One Standing]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
{{col-2}}
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Stomping on the Heels of a Fuss]]''
**''[[Blunt Instruments]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
**''[[The Return]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo: Nightfall]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadow of Intent]]''
*''[[Halo: Tales from Slipspace]]''
**''[[Hunting Party]]''
**''[[Knight Takes Bishop]]''
*''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
**''[[Contact]]''
**''[[Unbound]]''
**''[[Emergence]]''
**''[[Homecoming (TV Series)|Homecoming]]'' 
**''[[Transcendence]]''
*''[[Halo: The Rubicon Protocol]]''
{{col-end}}

==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}

== Sources ==
{{Ref/Sources|2}}

[[Category:Languages]]
[[Category:Sangheili culture]]