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[[File:Bajoran script.png|thumb|Bajoran script.]]
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[[File:Bajoran script.png|thumb|Bajoran script (modern)]]
[[File:Bajoran script, Reckoning text.jpg|thumb|Ancient and modern Bajoran, translated into English.]]
 
 
The '''Bajoran language''' family was a group of both extinct and modern [[language]]s and dialects used on [[Bajor]].
 
The '''Bajoran language''' family was a group of both extinct and modern [[language]]s and dialects used on [[Bajor]].
   
 
== Written language ==
 
== Written language ==
 
[[File:Classroom alphabet 2.jpg|thumb|Parts of the Bajoran alphabet (lower right)]]
 
[[File:Classroom alphabet 2.jpg|thumb|Parts of the Bajoran alphabet (lower right)]]
 
[[File:Bajoran script, Reckoning text.jpg|thumb|Ancient Bajoran from the Reckoning Tablet, translated into modern Bajoran and English]]
 
The Bajoran written language consisted of square symbols which were composed of thick lines. There were a large number of different symbols which could be used in any of eight rotations (flipped and rotated each and every way). Bajoran tended to be written in horizontal lines, although it could be written vertically. ({{DS9|Shadows and Symbols}})
 
The Bajoran written language consisted of square symbols which were composed of thick lines. There were a large number of different symbols which could be used in any of eight rotations (flipped and rotated each and every way). Bajoran tended to be written in horizontal lines, although it could be written vertically. ({{DS9|Shadows and Symbols}})
 
 
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[[Keiko O'Brien]]'s [[classroom]] featured a chart depicting the [[English]], the [[Ferengi]], the [[Cardassian]], and the Bajoran alphabet. The chart listed some twenty-five Bajoran language symbols. ({{DS9|The Nagus|In the Hands of the Prophets|Cardassians}})
 
[[Keiko O'Brien]]'s [[classroom]] featured a chart depicting the [[English]], the [[Ferengi]], the [[Cardassian]], and the Bajoran alphabet. The chart listed some twenty-five Bajoran language symbols. ({{DS9|The Nagus|In the Hands of the Prophets|Cardassians}})
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<gallery>
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File:Reckoning tablet.jpg|Ancient Bajoran inscriptions on the [[Reckoning Tablet]]
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File:Book of the Kosst Amojan.jpg|Ancient Bajoran in the ''Book of the Kosst Amojan''
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File:B'hala Rapture.jpg|Ancient Bajoran inscriptions on the ''bantaca'' spire of the lost city of B'hala
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File:Bajoran PADD.jpg|Bajoran & English script on a PADD
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</gallery>
   
 
== Words and phrases ==
 
== Words and phrases ==
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The spoken Bajoran language was often written by [[Ronald D. Moore]]. "''I just make it up,''" he laughed. "''I do it phonetically so it has a certain rhythm and sound in my head that I can tag as the way Bajorans sound.''" In scripts, Moore also provided an English translation of each verbalized use of the language, for the benefit of the actors. (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'', p. 244)
 
The spoken Bajoran language was often written by [[Ronald D. Moore]]. "''I just make it up,''" he laughed. "''I do it phonetically so it has a certain rhythm and sound in my head that I can tag as the way Bajorans sound.''" In scripts, Moore also provided an English translation of each verbalized use of the language, for the benefit of the actors. (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion]]'', p. 244)
   
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[[File:Bajoran ideograms.jpg|thumb|Ancient Bajoran root ideograms (top and third row,) and the split and derived modern characters (second and fourth row)]]
 
The Bajoran script was designed by [[Doug Drexler]], who was senior scenic artist for the ''Deep Space Nine'' series. {{DrexFiles|2010/01/03/ancient-bajoran-starchart/#comment-23419}}
 
The Bajoran script was designed by [[Doug Drexler]], who was senior scenic artist for the ''Deep Space Nine'' series. {{DrexFiles|2010/01/03/ancient-bajoran-starchart/#comment-23419}}
   

Revision as of 11:48, 29 May 2020

Bajoran script

Bajoran script (modern)

The Bajoran language family was a group of both extinct and modern languages and dialects used on Bajor.

Written language

Classroom alphabet 2

Parts of the Bajoran alphabet (lower right)

Bajoran script, Reckoning text

Ancient Bajoran from the Reckoning Tablet, translated into modern Bajoran and English

The Bajoran written language consisted of square symbols which were composed of thick lines. There were a large number of different symbols which could be used in any of eight rotations (flipped and rotated each and every way). Bajoran tended to be written in horizontal lines, although it could be written vertically. (DS9: "Shadows and Symbols")

Bajoran writing was said to be ideographic, that was, each character represented a single thought or word pictured. Most forms of written Bajoran shared some root ideograms, as evidenced by the Reckoning Tablet. Each ancient Bajoran symbol translated into a pair of nearly identical modern Bajoran symbols. (DS9: "The Reckoning")

Bajoran books opened from left to right, though it is not clear that this is related to the direction of writing. (DS9: "The Changing Face of Evil")

Keiko O'Brien's classroom featured a chart depicting the English, the Ferengi, the Cardassian, and the Bajoran alphabet. The chart listed some twenty-five Bajoran language symbols. (DS9: "The Nagus", "In the Hands of the Prophets", "Cardassians")

Words and phrases

Religious terms

Measurements

Examples of spoken language

Raka-ja ut shala morala... ema bo roo kana... uranak... ralanon (NAME)... propeh va nara ehsuk shala-kan vunek...
Do not let him walk alone... guide him on his journey... protect... the one named (NAME)... take him into the gates of heaven...
Duranja lamp prayer for the recently deceased (the translation comes from the script). (DS9: "Shakaar")

Ahn-kay ya, ay-ya vasu. Coh-ma-ra, di-nay-ya...
Bajoran death chant, repeated over and over again for approximately three hours. (DS9: "Battle Lines")

Tesra Peldor impatri bren. Bentel vetan ullon sten...
Presiders address at the Gratitude Festival. (DS9: "Fascination")

Jia'kaja, tre'nu'tol'a rem... La'por i'lanu kos... I'nar tan'a'tali nor...
Prayer to the prophets asking for protection or favor. (DS9: "Starship Down")

Zhia'kala, tar'eh anu suur... te'von, aka'lu rez... ka'vor, mat'ana kel...
Marriage blessing by the Emissary. (DS9: "Accession")

Boray pree hadokee. Tolata impara boresh. Preeya (GROOM'S NAME), Preeya (BRIDE'S NAME), abrem varo atel...
Traditional marriage blessing used in conjunction with a simple ceremony. (DS9: "Call to Arms")

Lata impara no takash... Veshanoo yavar ha iktasho.
With humility and gratitude, we accept this gift... the sacred Orb of Prophecy.
Orb blessing prayer. (DS9: "Resurrection")

(Prayer leader) Tera dak ihsehelm ran embah...
(ALL) de-ram ta-MEEN!
Chanted by Kai Winn and fellow Bajorans in the hours before the Reckoning. (DS9: "The Reckoning")

Meeh rak Dorah Pah-wran... Ee-toi... Velah-slah... Pah-wran amar... Pah-wran Evak-too...
Ancient Bajoran chanted by a Pah-wraith Cult Bajoran Assassin to Benjamin Sisko, before attempting to kill him. (DS9: "Image in the Sand")

Tarna pur-ono ull-kess pah-ran. lano ka'la bo'shar lanu.
Meek rak dorrah Pah-wran... Yelim cha ono kosst amojan... shay ta-hel ter-rah no'vala de-ram... aka'lu far che...
Chants from the Book of the Kosst Amojan (DS9: "What You Leave Behind")

Appendices

Background information

The spoken Bajoran language was often written by Ronald D. Moore. "I just make it up," he laughed. "I do it phonetically so it has a certain rhythm and sound in my head that I can tag as the way Bajorans sound." In scripts, Moore also provided an English translation of each verbalized use of the language, for the benefit of the actors. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 244)

Bajoran ideograms

Ancient Bajoran root ideograms (top and third row,) and the split and derived modern characters (second and fourth row)

The Bajoran script was designed by Doug Drexler, who was senior scenic artist for the Deep Space Nine series. [1](X)

In ultimately unused dialogue from the first draft script of DS9: "The Changing Face of Evil", while Dukat (disguised as Bajoran farmer Anjohl Tennan) was trying to help Winn Adami in her attempt to understand the Book of the Kosst Amojan, Adami skeptically commented, "Since when does a simple farmer know how to read ancient Bajoran?" In reply, Dukat claimed, "I can pick out a few words," though he was thereafter dismissed by Winn.

External link