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}}

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.

 

 

/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.

* 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.

* gh corresponds to /ɢ/ or /ɢ^h/ depending on the speaker's preference. When followed by e (thus forming ghee) the resulting sounds will be /ɢ^je̞:/ and /ɢ^he̞:/. When followed by ei (thus forming ghei) the resulting sounds will be /ɢ^je̞ɪ/, /ɢ^he̞ɪ/, /ɢ^ji:/ and /ɢ^he:/.

* 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>

:'''[[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}}

:'''Sangayri''' - Sangheili

:'''Kigyaa''' - Kig-Yar

:'''[[Kaidon|Kaydon]]''' - Clan leader<ref name="Cole">'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]'''</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.}}

:'''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]]''

:'''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}}

—Nnse-kooree-koocha nee-ey-mawoo.

Nntahbonwon sayoh.

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.

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}}

*[[Melody Azikiwe]]

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>

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:Halo 3 Sangheili Armor Symbol Patterns.png|The ''Halo 3'' campaign [[Combat harness|Sangheili combat harness]] triangle symbols.

File:Assembly glyphs.png|Glyph patterns that change one by one on [[Assembly]] in ''Halo 3''.

File:Package bomb countdown.png|Most of the known countdown of an [[antimatter charge]] in ''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''.

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: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''.

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.  

==== Weapons and vehicles ====

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: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:Covenantsigil.png|Covenant symbol found on weapon variants in ''Halo 5: Guardians''.

</gallery>

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

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.

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]].

File:Ancient Sangheili vadam flags.png|Ancient Sangheili on [[House of 'Vadam|Vadam]] flags in the ''Halo 2: Anniversary Terminals''.

==Production notes==

 

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''.

 

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

**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''

**''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''

==Notes==

{{Ref/Notes}}

{{Ref/Sources|2}}