Jemini

Hello, this is a special chapter for anyone who really wants to know what Eirlathion and the caretaker were saying in Chapter 4 of Key to the Void. I have gone a bit beyond just translating it though. Since it is a fully developed language, it is really not in the form of just 1 word = 1 word in the same order. There are idioms and other things along those lines that really don't translate well between the two languages.

So, I have translated the entire Elven language speaking portions of the chapter 3 times. 1st is a full proper translation. As the author and also the creator of this custom language, I am quite capable of re-interpreting all the idioms and other such thing. As such, I was able to make the "complete cultural translation" become full easy to understand English speech. This version of the translation is for people who only want to know what was said and not much else.

After this, I have the "Literal translation, English syntax" section which leaves all the idioms as they were, and doesn't add in the extra adverbs that are missing from Elven which I'd added in for the previous translation. This version of the translation should be handy for anyone who wants some insight into the Elven culture.

The final of the three translations is another literal translation, but I also arranged the syntax in the same word-order that was used in the chapter. If you actually are of a mind to start learning Elven for yourself, this version of the translation is the one you want. It's the one you would open up next to the actual chapter and try to match words out of the translation to words spoken by the figures in the chapter.

Read however many of the translations appeal to you, I've just provided them with the details that I thought people might like.

Complete cultural translation

Stuff with Levin and Rolwen, no Elven spoken.

Next morning, Aerien still reciting the alphabet and is overheard by caretaker.

Caretaker: “Asa, what are you doing that for? What are you doing Asa?”

The male elf enters the room. Caretaker leaves Asaren with Levin to go greet him.

Caretaker: “Ah, Master Eirlathion. Thank you for coming. The babies have the color of death, and I did not know what to do.”

Eirlathion: “Thank you for calling to tell me about this. I wouldn’t want to let these babies die.”

Eirlathion approaches Levin and Asaren.

Eirlathion: “Please move the human. I need to examine her spirit. His is too strong, it’s interfering.”

Caretaker does as Eirlathion asks, and Eirlathion begins his examination.

Eirlation: “Ah, you are releasing far too much of your spirit for such a small child.” pause for narration. “I do not know how to help you stop this. How do we help you for now though? Well, I guess…” trails off and lets out a sigh.

Eirlathion stands and seems to be talking to himself. “I guess feed her some crushed berries. We need to keep her presence firm. Well, I need to check on your sister now.”

Eirlathion goes to check on Tiaren while Asaren goes into a slight brain haze of thought.

Levin is brought back over to Asaren while the caretaker then separates Rolwen from Tiaren. Eirlathion starts examining Tiaren, but immediately falls on his butt while making a strange noise.

Caretaker: “Master Eirlathion, what happened!?”

Eirlathion: “Well, at least she’s eating. She should not be separated from a human. This kid is consuming a lot of spirit energy.”

Conversation continues, but this is about the point Asaren’s ability to pay attention burns out.

Literal translation with English syntax

Stuff with Levin and Rolwen, no Elven spoken.

Next morning, Aerien still reciting the alphabet and is overheard by caretaker.

Caretaker: “Asa, what doing for? What doing Asa?”

The male elf enters the room. Caretaker leaves Asaren with Levin to go greet him.

Caretaker: “Ah, Master of an art Eirlathion. As the sun to a tree you moved. Babies the color of death, and I don’t know what to do.”

Eirlathion: “As the sun to a tree called me. I to know. And I will not allow Babies die.”

Eirlathion approaches Levin and Asaren.

Eirlathion: “Please move human. I must sense her spirit. He is disruption, his spirit is strong.”

Caretaker does as Eirlathion asks, and Eirlathion begins his examination.

Eirlation: “Ah, you is too frequent spirit baby.” pause for narration. “I don’t know guide to stop. Help you need? Suppose…” trails off and lets out a sigh.

Eirlathion stands and seems to be talking to himself. “Suppose eat crushed small tree fruit. We need for the purpose of you person of firm presence. Well, I chek your sister.”

Eirlathion goes to check on Tiaren while Asaren goes into a slight brain haze of thought.

Levin is brought back over to Asaren while the caretaker then separates Rolwen from Tiaren. Eirlathion starts examining Tiaren, but immediately falls on his butt while making a strange noise.

Caretaker: “Master of an art Eirlathion, what happened!?”

Eirlathion: “Well, for the sake of life she eat. She should not separate human. This child is eat great amount of spirit.”

Conversation continues, but this is about the point Asaren’s ability to pay attention burns out.

Literal translation and original syntax

Stuff with Levin and Rolwen, no Elven spoken.

Next morning, Aerien still reciting the alphabet and is overheard by caretaker.

Caretaker: “Asa, do what for? Do what Asa?”

The male elf enters the room. Caretaker leaves Asaren with Levin to go greet him.

Caretaker: “Ah, Eirlathion master of an art. As the sun to a tree you moved. Babies the color of death, and I don’t know what to do.”

Eirlathion: “As the sun to a tree called me. I to know. Babies die, allow I not.”

Eirlathion approaches Levin and Asaren.

Eirlathion: “Human move please. I her spirit must sense. He is disrupt, he spirit strong.”

Caretaker does as Eirlathion asks, and Eirlathion begins his examination.

Eirlation: “Ah, you too frequent spirit baby is.” pause for narration. “I guide to stop don’t know to do. Suppose to help you need” trails off and lets out a sigh.

Eirlathion stands and seems to be talking to himself. “Suppose crushed small tree fruit eat. We need for the purpose of you person of firm presence. Well, you sister I check.”

Eirlathion goes to check on Tiaren while Asaren goes into a slight brain haze of thought.

Levin is brought back over to Asaren while the caretaker then separates Rolwen from Tiaren. Eirlathion starts examining Tiaren, but immediately falls on his butt while making a strange noise.

Caretaker: “Eirlathion master of an art, to happen what!?”

Eirlathion: “Well, she eat for the sake of life. She should not separate human. Is child eat great amount spirit is.”

Conversation continues, but this is about the point Asaren’s ability to pay attention burns out.

NOTE: The last translated sentence. “Is child eat great amoung spirit is.” Each of those “is” have a different meaning. The first means “to be happening,” and the second is “is the state of things.” These two different meanings of the word “is” are represented by different Elven words.