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]].]]

'''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}}

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>

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^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.

 

 

* 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.

* 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^β/. Sometimes some speakers can pronounce it as /w/.

* - is used after h to eliminate confusion by separating syllables. For instance is pronounced as uh-eh as /u:i:/ while uheh as /uħe:/

Ancient words, names, and words of extinct or other Sangheili languages.

:'''Leevrukah''' - [[Guardian]]{{Ref/NoteReuse|phonetic}}<ref>'''[[Hunt the Truth Season 2]]''', ''Episode 04: JACKALS''</ref>

:'''Wort''' - Go

:'''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}}

:'''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]]''

:'''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}}

—Nnse-kooree-koocha nee-ey-mawoo.

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 :

*[[Evan Phillips]]{{Ref/Reuse|gl17}}

*[[Luther Mann]]{{Ref/Reuse|hitd}}

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.

File:Needle_Rifle_Zoom.png|Triangle type symbols found on the [[Gadulo-pattern needle rifle}}|needle rifle]] zoom.

File:Shade_Normal_Triangles.png|{{Pattern|Rizsheda|Shade}} symbols in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.

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: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:Fuel Rod Symbols.png|{{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun}} zoom on off target and on target symbols in ''Halo 4''.

File:Lich Controls.png|{{Pattern|Kmiro'sish|Lich}} control panel with these symbols on it in ''Halo 4''.

File:H5G-FRCzoom-Campaign.png|{{Pattern|Gespu|fuel rod gun}} zoom symbols in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.

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

File:HaloCE-PlasmaGrenade.png|Green {{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}} symbol in ''Halo CE''.

File:Phantom_forerunner_symbol.png|Symbol that appears on the {{Pattern|Ru'swum|Phantom}} in ''Halo Reach''.

File:H2A Render PlasmaGrenade.png|Green {{Pattern|Anskum|plasma grenade}} symbol projecting the symbol for [[Installation 04]].

==Production notes==

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.

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>

File:H4 CovenantTerminal Concept 1.jpg|Concept art of control panels with Sangheili symbols on it.

==Notes==