Ancient language or Alteran language are the names given to the language spoken and written by the Alterans that consist of two factions: The Ancients/The Ancestors/Lanteans and the Ori. The language was given to Earth humans in the past where it eventually evolved into Latin. Both languages are little similar to each other.
The alphabet and numeral system used by the Alterans have interesting and special appearances: the symbols consist of squarish dots, and as a "full symbol" there are 24 squares with 8 on each diagonal row, except the letter k. Just like the Latin alphabet in English, the Alteran alphabet has all of its letters, while both f and u have the same symbol. Classical Latin did not have j and w, but came later and can be used for names.
In Atlantis, the letters and numbers of the Alteran alphabet appear both upright and upside down and variate in direction. This is likely an error in production - telling the correct way up is difficult if you don't know the language. From (SG1: "Reckoning, Part 2"), it's clear that Ancient text upside-down would be recognized by the Ancients and would be fixed, hinting that it is simply a goof.
Speakers[]
Several people at Stargate Command were successful in understanding written and spoken Alteran. Dr. Daniel Jackson was the one who unlocked the mysteries of the language, so that more could learn it, and gained an innate understanding after his Ascension and subsequent decension. Other people who are fluent in the language or at least understand it at a reasonable level are Jonas Quinn, Dr. Rodney McKay, Dr. Elizabeth Weir, Colonel Samantha Carter, Colonel Harold Maybourne, Dr. Nicholas Rush, Eli Wallace, Dr. Adam Brody, Dr. Dale Volker, Dr. Lisa Park, Dr. Amanda Perry, Dr. Lindsay and several other. (SG1: "The Fifth Race", "Full Circle", "Fallen", "Avalon, Part 1", SGA: "Hide and Seek", "The Gift", SGU: "Air, Part 1", "Darkness")
Also, on two occasions, Lt. General Jack O'Neill was able to speak it after having the entire knowledge base of the Alterans downloaded into his mind through the Repository of knowledge; each time, the Asgard erased it to save his life (SG1, "The Fifth Race", "Lost City, Part 1", "Lost City, Part 2", "New Order, Part 2"). O'Neill and Teal'c may understand some Alteran as they were forced to learn and memorize it when they were stuck in a 10-hour time loop for several months (SG1: "Window of Opportunity").
To protect his computer systems, Anubis used elaborate ciphers coded in the oldest known Alteran dialect. Despite the Goa'uld's long known history of acquiring Alteran relics, the Tok'ra were unable to translate them. (SG1: "Fallen", "Prototype")
The Asgard have a significant understanding of Alteran, and have provided some translations of early Alteran to the SGC. (SG1: "Fallen")
Some of the Athosians have displayed knowledge of Alteran, and some give prayers in Alteran. (SGA: "Hide and Seek")
The Wraith language is derived from Alteran. (SGA: "The Gift")
Words upside down can have different meanings. Letters that can be turned into another while upside down are j and r. (SG1: "Reckoning, Part 2")
Words[]
Latin | Ancient | Pronunciation | English | Episode |
---|---|---|---|---|
deficere | abiceerum | ah-bih-seh-eh-rum | give up | (SG1: "Window of Opportunity") |
adventus | adventus | ad-ven-tus | approaching, coming | (SG1: "Window of Opportunity") |
alii (mpl), alteri (mpl) | NN (unknown in Alteran; only known in English as "Alteran") | NN | Alterans, the Others |
(SG1: "Avalon, Part 1") |
amicus (m) | amacus | ah-mah-kus | friend | (SG1: "Lost City, Part 2") |
Antiquitas (f) | Anquietas | ang-kwih-eh-tas | The Ancients | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
armarium (n), arca (f) | armeria | ar-meh-rih-ah | ark | (SG1: "The Ark of Truth") |
Armarium Veritatis | Armeria Verimas | ar-meh-rih-ah veh-rih-mas | Ark of Truth | (SG1: "The Ark of Truth") |
adiumentum (n), ordo (m) | asordo | ah-sor-doh | help | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
Porta Stellarum (gen. pl. of stella (f), "star"; synonym astrum (n)) | Astria Porta | as-trih-ah por-tah | Stargate | (SG1: "Avalon, Part 1") |
Atlantis (f) | Atlantus | at-lan-tus | Atlantis | (SG1: "Lost City, Part 2") |
ave (sg), avete (pl) (ave/avete means "greetings" and rarily "goodbye"), vale (sg), valete (pl) (vale/valete means "goodbye", "farewell") | aveo | ah-veh-oh | goodbye, farewell | (SG1: "Lost City, Part 2") |
clavis (f) | clavia | klah-vih-ah | key | (SG1: "The Quest, Part 1") |
clementia (f) | clementia | kleh-men-tih-ah | mercy | (SG1: "The Ark of Truth") |
colonia (f) | colonian | coh-loh-nih-an | colony | (SG1: "Window of Opportunity") |
quaeso (adv), amabo te, commodus (adj) | comdo | com-doh | please | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
contagio (f), contagium (n; pl contagia) | contagia | con-tah-gih-ah | disease, contagion | (SG1: "The Quest, Part 1") |
crura (pl of crus, n) | cozars | koh-zars | legs | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
vitiosus, curvus | cruvus | krooh-vus | wrong | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
deductus (m), -a (f), -um (n), deducatus (m), -a (f), -um (n) | deductavum | deh-duk-tah-vum | (to have been) taken away | (SG1: "Window of Opportunity") |
demens | derentis | deh-ren-tis | crazy, insane | (SG1: "Lost City, Part 1") |
desiderare | deserdi | deh-ser-dih | to desire, to seek, to wish | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
Di/Dei,[1] orti (pl of ortus)[1] | Ori | oh-rih | Ori, in English "gods" and/or "god" | (SG1: "Avalon, Part 1") |
discere | disce | dis-keh | to learn | (SG1: "Flesh and Blood") |
dominus (m), magister (m) | domivaitus | doh-mih-vy-tus | master | (SG1: "Window of Opportunity") |
dormire, dormitare | dormata | dor-mah-tah | sleep | (SG1: "Lost City, Part 2") |
egeo ("I need"; infinitive egere), indigeo ("I need", infinitive indigere) | indeo | in-deh-oh | (I) need | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
ego | ego | eh-goh | I | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
aeternus | eteri | eh-teh-rih | eternal | (SGA: "Hide and Seek") |
bene (adv of bonus, "good"), eugae (adv, "bravo"), euge (adv, "bravo") | euge | ev-geh | good | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
facultas (f) | fallatus | fal-lah-tus | ability | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
finit (v; "he/she/it is finished/done"), facit (v; "he/she/it does") | fargit | far-git | (to be) finished, done | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
frons (f) | fron | fron | (fore)head | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
glacies (f) | glacius | glah-kih-ooh-seh | ice | (SG1: "Lost City, Part 2") |
hic | hic | hik | place, here | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
illac (adv.), via (f) | illac | il-lak | path, way | (SG1: "Talion") |
impetus (m), incursus (m) | incursus | ing-kur-sus | attack, invasion | (SGA: "Echoes") |
infinitas (f) | infinitas | in-fih-nih-tas | infinite | (SG1: "Memento Mori") |
celatus, latens | lacun | lah-kun | lost, hidden | (SG1: "Fallen") |
locus (m) | locas | loh-kas | location | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
lux (f), lumen (n) | lume | looh-meh | light | (SGA: "Hide and Seek") |
Merlinus | Moros | moh-ros | Merlin | (SG1: "The Pegasus Project") |
Morgan Le Fay (no Latin name) | Ganos Lal | gah-nos lal | Morgan Le Fay | (SG1: "The Quest, Part 2") |
mundus (m) | mundus | mun-dus | world | (SGU: "Common Descent") |
novus | navo, novus |
nah-voh, noh-vus |
new | (SG1: "The Fifth Race"), (SGU: "Common Descent") |
necessarius (adj; adv necesse) | netario | neh-tah-ri-oh | necessary | (SG1: "Avalon, Part 1") |
nos | nou | noh-ooh | we | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
omnes (pl of omnis) | omnes | om-nes | all | (SG1: "Flesh and Blood") |
patres (pl of pater) | pare | pah-reh | fathers | (SGA: "Hide and Seek") |
Perditus Igne | Praclarush Taonas | proh-clah-rush tah-oh-nas | Lost in Fire | (SG1: "Lost City, Part 2") |
putare | puta | pooh-tah | believe, think | (SG1: "Avalon, Part 1") |
regnum (n) | renin | reh-nin | kingdom | (SG1: "Talion") |
sanctus | sanctus | sank-tus | hallowed, sacred | (SG1: "Beachhead") |
ita, sic, etiam | etium | eh-tih-um | yes | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
Sol | Sau | sao | Sun | (SG1: "Window of Opportunity") |
sub | subo | soo-boh | under, below | (SG1: "Lost City, Part 2") |
esse, anima (f) | ani | ah-nih | to be | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
tempus (n) | tempus | tem-pus | time | (SG1: "Window of Opportunity") |
templum (n) | tempo | tem-poh | temple | (SGA: "Hide and Seek") |
Terra Tener | Tenara | teh-nah-rah | The Land of the Young or The Land of Young | (SGU: "Common Descent") |
Tellus (f), Terra (f) | Terra | ter-rah | Earth, Tau'ri homeworld. | (SG1: "Lost City, Part 2") |
thesaurus (m) | thessara | tes-sah-rah | treasure | (SG1: "Memento Mori") |
universum (n) | avernakis | ah-ver-nah-kis | universe | (SG1: "The Fourth Horseman, Part 2") |
unus (m), una (f), unum (n) | uno | ooh-noh | one (1) | (SG1: "Flesh and Blood") |
Vis Urbs (vis is in gen.sg.; "energy"; urbs, "city") | Vis Uban | vis oo-ban | Place of Great Power | (SG1: "Fallen") |
ventus (m) | ventio | ven-tih-oh | wind | (SG1: "The Quest, Part 1") |
veritas (f) | verimas | veh-rih-mas | truth | (SG1: "The Ark of Truth") |
Via Lactea | Avalon | ah-vah-lon | Milky Way | (SG1: "Avalon, Part 1") |
videmur (v.),[2] videre,[2] visio (f),[2] visus[2] | videum | vih-deh-um | legacy | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
Phrases and sentences[]
Ancient | Latin Latin equivalents of the English sentences |
English | Episode |
---|---|---|---|
Aveo amacus. | Valete/Salvete amici mei. | Goodbye/Farewell, my friends. | (SG1: "Lost City, Part 2") |
Clava Thessara Infinitas. | Clavis Ad Thesaurum Infinitum. | Key to infinite treasure. | (SG1: "Memento Mori") |
Calium videre essit, et eraos ad sidera tollere vultus. | Quando eam vides, caelum vides, et illis in Tellure facies ad stellas tollendae sunt. like the Alteran sentence: Caelum videre iussit, et erectos ad sidera tollere vultus. | When you see her, you see the sky, and those on earth must lift their faces toward the stars. | (SG1: "Flesh and Blood") |
Domivaitus vestul motobilum | Magister incertorum praeteritorum | Master of uncertain past | (SG1: "Window of Opportunity") |
Comdo asordo. | Quaeso adiuva. | Please help. | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
Ego deserde asordo. | Adiumenti egeo. like the Alteran sentence: Ego desiderare adiumentum. | I seek/desire help. | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
Ego indeo navo locas. | Locus novus egeo. | I need a new location. | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
Enim lupin purnum pravus intus. | Nam peccator corruptus expurgabitur. like the Alteran sentence: Enim lupus purum pravus intus. | Verily, the corrupted sinner will be cleansed from within. | (SG1: "The Ark of Truth") |
Ex uno disce omnes. | Ex uno omnes discunt. | From one, all learn. | (SG1: "Flesh and Blood") |
Hic qua videum. | Locus hereditatis nostrae. like the Alteran sentence: Hic qua visus. | The place of our legacy.[3] | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
Illac Renin | Regnum Viae like the Alteran sentence: Illac Regni | Kingdom of the Path | (SG1: "Talion") |
Mia clementia, denar esto. | Clementiam habe. Caecus eram, sed nunc video. like the Alteran sentence: Mea clementia, negare esto. | Have mercy. I was blind, but now I see. | (SG1: "The Ark of Truth") |
Nou ani Anquietas. | Antiqui sumus. like the Alteran sentence: Nos sumus Antiquitas. | We are the Ancient Ones. | (SG1: "The Fifth Race") |
Onna matta netario. | Hoc recte necesse non est. like the Alteran sentence: Non ocurrere necessitas. | This is really unnecessary. | (SG1: "Avalon, Part 1") |
Pare lume tempo eteri. | Patres lucis templi aeterni. like the Alteran sentence: Pater lux templo aeterni. | Fathers of light of the everlasting temple. | (SGA: "Hide and Seek") |
Sanctus Ori. | Sacrati sunt Orti. like the Alteran sentence: Sancti Orti. | Hallowed are the Ori. | (SG1: "Beachhead") |
Tua puta ego. | Tibi credo. like the Alteran sentence: Tu putare ego. | I believe you. | (SG1: "Avalon, Part 1") |
Verus Gen Bree. | Terra Veritatis Regalis. like the Alteran sentence: Vera Brevia Gentis. | Land of royal truth. | (SG1: "Morpheus") |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Not a direct translation.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Videum is not a direct translation. Videmur means we are seen, referring to the passing-on method of the Alterans' Repository of knowledge. Videmur is first person plural passive of the verb videre ("to see"). Other words to mention are its first person singular, video ("I see"), visio, "vision", and visus, "seen". The German word for Knowledge, Wissen, is derived from the same root: the Proto-Indo-European word *wid- meaning to see, or metaphorically to know.
- ↑ Dr. Daniel Jackson offered a less likely translation: "A piece of our leg", but this was disregarded due to the former translation fitting more accurately given the context. "A piece of our leg" in Latin is "pars cruris nostri".