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[[File:Ferengi script.png|thumb|Ferengi script.]]
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The '''Ferengi language''' is the spoken and written [[language]] of the [[Ferengi]], from [[Ferenginar]].
 +
The '''Ferengi language''' was the spoken and written [[language]] of the [[Ferengi]] used on [[Ferenginar]].
   
−
=== Written language ===
 +
== Written language ==
  +
[[File:Classroom alphabet 2.jpg|thumb|The Ferengi alphabet (center)]]
−
[[Image:Ferengitext.GIF|thumb|ferengi script]]
  
  ⚫
[[File:Ferengi written message.jpg|thumb|A hand-written message by [[Rom]]: "''Dear Quark, Used parts from your disruptor to fix the replicators. Will return them soon. – Rom.''"]]
−
Ferengi writing looks much like a flowchart, with many 60 degree angles. Text radiates from the center outward, which would indicate the direction of writing as well. Ferengi text can be written with or without a central hexagon, radiating from one side of an hexagon only and in single horizontal lines on signs and short notes. ({{TNG|Ménage à Troi}}; {{DS9|Body Parts}}).
 +
Ferengi writing looked much like a flowchart, with many sixty degree angles. Text radiated from the center outward, which indicated the direction of writing as well. Ferengi text could be written with or without a central hexagon, radiating from one side of a hexagon only and in single horizontal lines on signs and short notes. ({{TNG|Ménage à Troi}}; {{DS9|Body Parts}}).
   
−
[[Keiko O'Brien]]'s school room featured a chart depicting the [[English]] alphabet and three different alien languages. The chart listed some sixty plus Ferengi language symbols ({{DS9|The Nagus|Cardassians}})
 +
[[Keiko O'Brien]]'s [[classroom]] featured a chart depicting the [[English]], the [[Bajoran]], the [[Cardassian]], and the Ferengi alphabets. The chart listed some sixty-plus Ferengi language symbols. ({{DS9|The Nagus|In the Hands of the Prophets|Cardassians}})
   
  +
[[Odo]] could read written Ferengi. ({{DS9|The Way of the Warrior}})
⚫
=== Ferengi Lexis ===
  
−
* There is no word for ''crisp'', since all food gets mushy on [[Ferenginar]]. ({{DS9|Let He Who Is Without Sin...}})
  
   
  +
== Spoken language ==
⚫
*'''[[DaiMon]]''' - rank given to one in charge of a starship; roughly analagous to Federation Captain. ({{TNG|The Last Outpost}})
  
  +
Because Ferenginar experienced near constant [[rain]]storms, there were 178 different Ferengi words for types of rain. Because of the high humidity, there was also no word for "crisp" in Ferengi. ({{DS9|Let He Who Is Without Sin...}})
   
  +
=== Words and phrases ===
⚫
*'''[[Grand Nagus|Nagus]]''' - title of authority; esp. Grand Nagus, leader of the [[Ferengi Alliance]]. This is, presumably, an English translation, as certain Earth leaders (i.e. those of Ethiopia) have also borne the title of Nagus. ({{DS9|The Nagus}})
  
  ⚫
*'''[[DaiMon]]''' – a rank given to one in charge of a [[starship]]; roughly analogous to a [[Federation]] {{dis|captain|rank}}. ({{TNG|The Last Outpost}})
  +
*'''Gren''' – You ({{DS9|Little Green Men}})
  ⚫
*'''glebbening''' – an especially severe rainstorm ({{DS9|Let He Who Is Without Sin...}})
  +
{{bginfo|Based on Quark's context ("''…it's glebbening''") it's not clear whether the -ing is part of the Ferengi word, or an English present participle suffix.}}
  +
*'''Kora noosa?''' – Anything? ({{ENT|Acquisition}})
  +
*'''Lahje''' – here ({{ENT|Acquisition}})
  +
*'''Lat''' – to (such as between the names of a sender and recipient, when hailing someone.) ({{ENT|Acquisition}})
  +
*'''[[Latinum]]''' – Ferengi currency. ({{ENT|Acquisition}})
  ⚫
*'''[[Lobeling]]''' – a child. ({{DS9|Profit and Lace}})
  +
{{bginfo|Lobeling may not be a true Ferengi word, but an English translation consisting of "lobe" (how Ferengi refer to their ears) and the suffix "-ling," (little.)}}
  ⚫
*'''[[Moogie]]''' – (informal) "mom" or mother. ({{DS9|Family Business}})
  ⚫
*'''[[Grand Nagus|Nagus]]''' – a title of authority; esp. Grand Nagus, leader of the [[Ferengi Alliance]]. ({{DS9|The Nagus}})
  +
{{bginfo|Nagus was presumably an English translation, as certain Earth leaders (i.e. those of Ethiopia) also bore the similar title of [[wikipedia:Negus|Negus]].}}
  +
*'''NanDi''' – Excellent ({{ENT|Acquisition}})
  +
*'''Nass''' – No ({{ENT|Acquisition}})
  ⚫
*'''Neep-gren''' – Thank you ({{DS9|Little Green Men}})
  ⚫
*'''[[oo-mox]]''' – [[massage]] of the [[ear]]s, a [[foreplay|sexual practice]]. There was no non-Ferengi translation for this word. ({{TNG|Ménage à Troi}})
  +
*'''Yoba''' – [[Brother]] ({{DS9|Little Green Men}})
  +
*'''Yop''' – I ({{DS9|Little Green Men}})
  ⚫
*'''Yop-im too''' – I'm sorry ({{DS9|Little Green Men}})
   
  +
=== Examples of spoken language ===
⚫
*'''Lobeling''': Child ({{DS9|Profit and Lace}})
  
  ⚫
:''The following comes from the script for {{TNG|Ménage à Troi}}'':
   
  ⚫
'''Keh-ee Yoor-ee Dah-teh-ee…'''
⚫
*'''Moogie''' : Mom or mother ({{DS9|Family Business}})
  
   
  +
:The first part of [[Tog]]'s computer security access code.
⚫
*'''[[oo-mox]]''' - [[massage]] of the [[ear]]s, a [[sex]]ual practice. There is no non-Ferengi translation for the word. ({{TNG|Ménage à Troi}})
  
   
  ⚫
{{bginfo|Presumably the syllables are either the names of Ferengi letters, or words, i.e numbers.|This sequence is an [[in-joke]], making reference to the anime series ''Dirty Pair''. Kei and Yuri are characters that appear in the series, and in Japanese, the names Kei and Yuri and Dirty Pair would be pronounced '''ke-i yu-ri dah-te-i pe-ah'''. The names of Kei and Yuri also appear written in Japanese in the [[Iconian language|Iconian written language]].}}
−
=== Established words ===
  
⚫
[[File:Ferengi written message.jpg|thumb|A hand-written message by [[Rom]]]]
  
−
:'''Yop''' : "I"
  
⚫
:'''Yop-im too''' : "I'm sorry"
  
−
:'''Gren''' : "You"
  
⚫
:'''Neep-gren''' : "Thank you"
  
−
:'''Yoba''' : Brother
  
−  
⚫
==== Rain ====
  
−
There are 178 different Ferengi words for [[rain]].
  
−  
⚫
'''glebbening''' - an especially severe rainstorm
  
−
*{{DS9|Let He Who Is Without Sin...}}
  
−  
−
=== Established Dialogue ===
  
⚫
:''The following comes from the script for {{TNG|Ménage à Troi}}:
  
−  
⚫
'''Keh-ee Yoor-ee Dah-teh-ee...'''
 
−  
−
The first part of [[Tog]]'s computer security access code. ''Presumably the syllables are either the names of Ferengi letters, or words, i.e numbers.''
  
−  
⚫
:''This sequence is an in-joke making reference to the Anime series "Dirty Pair". Kei and Yuri are characters that appear in the series, and in Japanese the names Kei and Yuri and Dirty Pair would be pronounced '''ke-i yu-ri dah-te-i pe-ah'''. The names of Kei and Yuri also appear written in Japanese in the [[Iconian language|Iconian written language]].''
  
   
 
----
  
----
−
:''The following examples are from the script for {{DS9|Little Green Men}}''
 +
:''The following examples are from the script for {{DS9|Little Green Men}}'':
   
 
{| width = "100%"
  
{| width = "100%"
 
| width = "49%" | '''Pip im gren tovat. Yop bree gren skin law po far.'''
 
| width = "49%" | '''Pip im gren tovat. Yop bree gren skin law po far.'''
−
:''This is all your fault. I told you to check the ship''
 +
:''This is all your fault. I told you to check the ship.''
 
'''Yop im too, yoba. Yop sko ta yop ma.'''
 
'''Yop im too, yoba. Yop sko ta yop ma.'''
−
:''I'm sorry, brother. I did the best I could''
 +
:''I'm sorry, brother. I did the best I could.''
 
| width = "2%" style="border-right: 2px solid; border-top: 2px solid; border-bottom: 2px solid;" |  
  
| width = "2%" style="border-right: 2px solid; border-top: 2px solid; border-bottom: 2px solid;" |  
 
| width = "49%" |   {{audio|file=Ferengi language.ogg}}
  
| width = "49%" |   {{audio|file=Ferengi language.ogg}}
 
|}
  
|}
   
−
'''Goss uff wok ton. Goss uff wok ton.'''
+
'''Goss uff wok ton.'''
−
:''Let us out of here. Let us out of here''
 +
:''Let us out of here.''
   
−
'''Brik yop tal hopdrew, ki los hoem bog?'''
+
'''Brik yop tal hopdrew, ki los hoem bog?'''
 
:''If I jumped off a roof, would you do that, too?''
  
:''If I jumped off a roof, would you do that, too?''
   
Line 74: Line 76:
   
 
'''Yop triska gleep do-sta gren-la.'''
 
'''Yop triska gleep do-sta gren-la.'''
−
:''I need that metal thing you're holding''
 +
:''I need that metal thing you're holding.''
   
 
'''Neep-gren.'''
 
'''Neep-gren.'''
−
:''Thank you''
 +
:''Thank you.''
   
 
----
  
----
−
:''The following examples are from the script for {{ENT|Acquisition}}. It is possible these lines are in a different dialect/language than that used by the Ferengi on ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''.''
 +
:''The following examples are from the script for {{ENT|Acquisition}}.''
   
−
'''Kora-noosa'''
 +
'''Irr zoun nagool ahsp.'''
  ⚫
:''They're not responding to hails.''
−
:''Anything?''
  
−  
−
'''Irr zoun nagool ahsp'''
  
⚫
:''They're not respoding to hails''
  
   
 
'''Cucht eeta ekrajhn-voy?'''
  
'''Cucht eeta ekrajhn-voy?'''
−
:''What do [your/the] scans say?''
 +
:''What do your scans say?''
   
−
'''Irr gnales, nohm setron. Quetsivoo!'''
 +
'''Irr gnales. Nohm setron quetsivoo!'''
−
:''They're alive, but unconscious. It worked!''
 +
:''They're alive, but unconscious. It worked!''
   
−
'''Nandi'''
 +
'''Vaneeday.'''
−
:''Excellent''
 +
:''Take us in.''
   
−
'''Vanay'eday'''
 +
'''Cucht nee va zeh?'''
−
:''Take us in''
 +
:''Do you know this species?''
   
  +
'''Y-solah-na.'''
−
'''Tenda sout bazul, ningor!'''
  
  +
:''This way.''
−
:''It's not on this deck. Let's go!''
  
   
−
'''Konah see-oh-mahj irr zoon'''
 +
'''Tenda sout bazul. Ningor.'''
−
:''The fools never knew what they were hit by''
+
:''It's not on this deck. Let's go.''
   
−
'''Oooh, gar-dey latinum sou-tah'''
 +
'''Gar-day latinum sou-tah!'''
−
:''Oooh, this is worth its weight in latinum''
 +
:''This is worth its weight in latinum.''
   
  +
'''Sapa-moul!'''
−
== External link ==
  
  +
:''Don't touch it!''
⚫
*{{NCwiki}}
  
  +
  +
'''Ehj saf-rey tomen-dee.'''
  +
:''I know how to deactivate it.''
  +
  +
'''Konah see-oh-mahj irr zoon.'''
  +
:''The fools never knew what hit them.''
  +
  +
'''Orink!'''
  +
:''Look at this!''
  +
  +
'''Senpa tah-moy. Lorala rrela!'''
  +
:''She's beautiful. Exquisite lobes!''
  +
  +
{{bginfo|Additionally, two Ferengi phrases that were scripted for "Acquisition" but omitted from the episode also include the word "rrela". Together with what was used on screen implies the word was intended to mean "lobes".}}
  +
  +
'''Latinum soun teyvalah'''
  +
:''She's probably worth a thousand bars of latinum.''
  +
  +
'''Ulis tenda vool.'''
  +
:''Ulis is waiting to hear from us.''
  +
  +
'''Sop moepree.'''
  +
:''We're clear.''
  +
  +
'''La-voy Daemon.'''
  +
:''This looks like the captain.''
  +
  +
'''Letra deemo mirra!'''
  +
:''Don't touch anything!''
  +
  +
'''Klaxut.'''
  +
:''Go ahead.''
  +
  +
'''Feesha vou dole!'''
  +
:''We hit the jackpot!''
  +
  +
'''Ree-jahvey.'''
  +
:''We'll be right here.''
  +
  +
'''Guzah puh naam.'''
  +
:''Their medicines might be valuable.''
  +
  +
'''Sel tre-oght da-techt.'''
  +
:''Roughly "Take all possible."''
  +
  +
{{bginfo|This phrase was scripted as "''Sel tre-oght irra sul da-techt,''" meaning, "''Take all you can.''" However, the sentence is edited in the final version of "Acquisition".}}
  +
  +
'''Ehj ocuuz sahfi?'''
  +
:''What about the equipment?''
  +
  +
'''Guzah louz.'''
  +
:''Medicine first.''
  +
  +
'''Ingala habi.'''
  +
:''Wake him.''
  +
  +
'''Ingala duk habi?'''
  +
:''Do you command this ship?''
  +
  +
'''Duk habi nakustra?'''
  +
:''Are you the Captain?''
  +
  +
'''Bok megoron duk…?'''
  +
:(Roughly ''Do you understand…?'')
  +
  +
{{bginfo|In the script of "Acquisition", these three Ferengi words were untranslated. In both the script and the actual episode, the words begin a sentence that starts being translated midway through, ending with the English words, "''…what I'm saying?''"}}
  +
  +
== Appendices ==
  +
=== Background information ===
  +
The spoken Ferengi from {{s|DS9}} seems constructed differently than that spoken in {{ENT|Acquisition}}, though the two may be different dialects/languages.
  +
  +
Ferengi statements that were scripted for but don't feature in "Acquisition" include:
  +
  +
'''Lir rrela toh teepah.'''
  +
:''Their lobes are so small.''
  +
  +
'''Yrutu mahs.'''
  +
:''She's mine.''
  +
  +
'''Ehj voyet!'''
  +
:''I saw her first!''
  +
  +
'''Rrela pik'tabol…'''
  +
:''With those lobes…''
  +
  +
'''Sen-pah tou!'''
  +
:''I found another pretty one!''
  +
  ⚫
=== Apocrypha ===
  +
According to [[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Pocket)]] novel ''[[The 34th Rule]]'', the Ferengi language has fifty-seven words for "customer." According to the novel ''[[Time's Enemy]]'', there are also several words for "no," depending on how much negotiation it will take to change someone's mind.
  +
  +
''Frinx'' was a Ferengi expletive used in a number of different novels, including ''[[The Fall of Terok Nor]]'', ''[[Inferno]]'', and the [[Star Trek: Titan]] novel ''[[Orion's Hounds]]''.
  +
  ⚫
=== External link ===
  ⚫
* {{mbeta}}
   
⚫
[[Category:Ferenginar]]
  
⚫
[[Category:Languages]]
  
   
 
[[de:Ferengi (Sprache)]]
  
[[de:Ferengi (Sprache)]]
  +
[[fr:Ferengi (langue)]]
  ⚫
[[Category:Ferenginar]]
  ⚫
[[Category:Languages]]

Revision as of 10:42, 31 August 2020

Ferengi script

Ferengi script.

The Ferengi language was the spoken and written language of the Ferengi used on Ferenginar.

Written language

Classroom alphabet 2

The Ferengi alphabet (center)

Ferengi written message

A hand-written message by Rom: "Dear Quark, Used parts from your disruptor to fix the replicators. Will return them soon. – Rom."

Ferengi writing looked much like a flowchart, with many sixty degree angles. Text radiated from the center outward, which indicated the direction of writing as well. Ferengi text could be written with or without a central hexagon, radiating from one side of a hexagon only and in single horizontal lines on signs and short notes. (TNG: "Ménage à Troi"; DS9: "Body Parts").

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

Odo could read written Ferengi. (DS9: "The Way of the Warrior")

Spoken language

Because Ferenginar experienced near constant rainstorms, there were 178 different Ferengi words for types of rain. Because of the high humidity, there was also no word for "crisp" in Ferengi. (DS9: "Let He Who Is Without Sin...")

Words and phrases

Based on Quark's context ("…it's glebbening") it's not clear whether the -ing is part of the Ferengi word, or an English present participle suffix.
Lobeling may not be a true Ferengi word, but an English translation consisting of "lobe" (how Ferengi refer to their ears) and the suffix "-ling," (little.)
Nagus was presumably an English translation, as certain Earth leaders (i.e. those of Ethiopia) also bore the similar title of Negus.

Examples of spoken language

The following comes from the script for TNG: "Ménage à Troi":

Keh-ee Yoor-ee Dah-teh-ee…

The first part of Tog's computer security access code.
Presumably the syllables are either the names of Ferengi letters, or words, i.e numbers.
This sequence is an in-joke, making reference to the anime series Dirty Pair. Kei and Yuri are characters that appear in the series, and in Japanese, the names Kei and Yuri and Dirty Pair would be pronounced ke-i yu-ri dah-te-i pe-ah. The names of Kei and Yuri also appear written in Japanese in the Iconian written language.
The following examples are from the script for DS9: "Little Green Men":
Pip im gren tovat. Yop bree gren skin law po far.
This is all your fault. I told you to check the ship.

Yop im too, yoba. Yop sko ta yop ma.

I'm sorry, brother. I did the best I could.
     Listen file info

Goss uff wok ton.

Let us out of here.

Brik yop tal hopdrew, ki los hoem bog?

If I jumped off a roof, would you do that, too?

Gren fatarik oo-mox?

Unknown, may mean something like "What do you say I teach you how to oo-mox?"

Ya ta fa?

Unknown, may mean "Is that a yes?"

Gren fa hoe loth pex-pil?

Haven't you got that translator fixed yet?

Vo yop toe pah?

Can I have that?

Yop triska gleep do-sta gren-la.

I need that metal thing you're holding.

Neep-gren.

Thank you.
The following examples are from the script for ENT: "Acquisition".

Irr zoun nagool ahsp.

They're not responding to hails.

Cucht eeta ekrajhn-voy?

What do your scans say?

Irr gnales. Nohm setron quetsivoo!

They're alive, but unconscious. It worked!

Vaneeday.

Take us in.

Cucht nee va zeh?

Do you know this species?

Y-solah-na.

This way.

Tenda sout bazul. Ningor.

It's not on this deck. Let's go.

Gar-day latinum sou-tah!

This is worth its weight in latinum.

Sapa-moul!

Don't touch it!

Ehj saf-rey tomen-dee.

I know how to deactivate it.

Konah see-oh-mahj irr zoon.

The fools never knew what hit them.

Orink!

Look at this!

Senpa tah-moy. Lorala rrela!

She's beautiful. Exquisite lobes!
Additionally, two Ferengi phrases that were scripted for "Acquisition" but omitted from the episode also include the word "rrela". Together with what was used on screen implies the word was intended to mean "lobes".

Latinum soun teyvalah

She's probably worth a thousand bars of latinum.

Ulis tenda vool.

Ulis is waiting to hear from us.

Sop moepree.

We're clear.

La-voy Daemon.

This looks like the captain.

Letra deemo mirra!

Don't touch anything!

Klaxut.

Go ahead.

Feesha vou dole!

We hit the jackpot!

Ree-jahvey.

We'll be right here.

Guzah puh naam.

Their medicines might be valuable.

Sel tre-oght da-techt.

Roughly "Take all possible."
This phrase was scripted as "Sel tre-oght irra sul da-techt," meaning, "Take all you can." However, the sentence is edited in the final version of "Acquisition".

Ehj ocuuz sahfi?

What about the equipment?

Guzah louz.

Medicine first.

Ingala habi.

Wake him.

Ingala duk habi?

Do you command this ship?

Duk habi nakustra?

Are you the Captain?

Bok megoron duk…?

(Roughly Do you understand…?)
In the script of "Acquisition", these three Ferengi words were untranslated. In both the script and the actual episode, the words begin a sentence that starts being translated midway through, ending with the English words, "…what I'm saying?"

Appendices

Background information

The spoken Ferengi from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine seems constructed differently than that spoken in ENT: "Acquisition", though the two may be different dialects/languages.

Ferengi statements that were scripted for but don't feature in "Acquisition" include:

Lir rrela toh teepah.

Their lobes are so small.

Yrutu mahs.

She's mine.

Ehj voyet!

I saw her first!

Rrela pik'tabol…

With those lobes…

Sen-pah tou!

I found another pretty one!

Apocrypha

According to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Pocket) novel The 34th Rule, the Ferengi language has fifty-seven words for "customer." According to the novel Time's Enemy, there are also several words for "no," depending on how much negotiation it will take to change someone's mind.

Frinx was a Ferengi expletive used in a number of different novels, including The Fall of Terok Nor, Inferno, and the Star Trek: Titan novel Orion's Hounds.

External link

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