Talking to each other in the Known World

Just a small precision to begin with and set up the framework of the discussion: the Known World is relatively homogenous in terms of tongues. It is actually mostly covered by a single language, the Criole, which is the result - how quite variegated it can possibly be, however! - of the original language of the Madelascari – the first folk to establish in what yet had to named the Known World – and that of the - not yet named so - Caldo-Anns – the Engliche. The latter were at first rejected in a limited portion of the Known World, then became more and more influent through time and until now, due to the efficient political system of the Governor and their technological advance. The result is that, except some variants which give a local color to the different great regions of the Known World, everybody can talk to anybody and more or less understand each other (lucky!).

Only the Nip’In who, due to their isolation, preserved a more original version of the ancient language of the Madelascari and, at a lesser degree, the inhabitants of some isolated islands in the Archipelago of the Last Loyalty who kept a little more the original language of their people are really difficult to understand and themselves have some difficulties without a proper training and practice.

The Pirate Talkin'

That framework being clarified, what's to be said of the (sharp) tongue of Pirates of the Known World? First of all, it is a Mariners' language, with its own technical terms and a whole jargon which derives from them: this is mostly regarding the Manoeuvring of a Ship, her elements and Navigation. Upon that, each Pirate brings in the Crew the own origins and history and here through, depending on his or her influence in the group, more or less of the own words, expressions and even some peculiar pronunciations. One thus easily imagines the variety of the Pirate Speakin's: that's almost one per Crew, one can say, even if the foundations have a great deal in common too…

Let us try to give some examples, only in order to illustrate what we just explained and without trying to do again what's already done in length in other places… For a more complete study of the topic you can, interested and friendly Reader, easily find many most interesting locations on that virtual sea - the Dobbelyouthree - where the topic is introduced and sometimes discussed from the Bilge to the Crow's Nest. If you are searching for a paper version to take with you on-Board to have the possibility to read it anywhere anytime, we can at least recommend, in Engliche, The Pirate Primer of George Choundras, which makes an excellent and very (the most?) complete ressource available.

Hence, here are some sparse examples however again:

  • Greetings : « Ahoy! Aboard! », « Fair winds and following seas! », « My service to ee. », « I make ya my dooty. », « Ha ! » ;
  • Commands: « Haul yer wind and open yer lugholes! », « All hands to their dooties! And be smart! », « Up and fetch me more grog… and lively! », « Hoist up the Jolly Roger! », « Load the Guns and stand by for a Broadside ! », « Clap on all Sail! », « Cut out the Sails! », « Hands to the Yards! », « Shorten Sail! Weather quarters! », etc.
  • Calls for Battle: « As sure as the Great Z. sees me, Comrades, Boardin’ it’ll be and no quarter! »;
  • Threats: « Do you fancy a swim with the sharks? », « I’ll cleave you to the brisket! ».

A few well-chosen insults for your first Duels

Quickly, your wit of Pirate should know no limit and you’ll flicker your tongue like a sword master a rapier… Though from time to time the best way out might be a low retort! Forget in no case that, if the mastery of the Sabre is important for your success in a Duel, it is by the tongue that you will do the heavy lifting!

Here is a (short) introductory selection from infinitely many a possible insult! Some are simple ones, easily countered, some are more far-fetched and these are of course of the more efficient type to take the better in a Duel, arrrhh:

  • « Landlubber! Dare ya challenge the greatest Pirate o’the Seven Seas!? » (Isn’t that precisely a landlubber’s insult?!)
  • « Tell me honestly: you got your Sabre licence in a lucky bag, that you did, uh? » (Anonymous, which is better for him or her!)
  • « Stop yer yappin’ for the sake o’yer scurvy teeth! » (Titus, the Han’some)
  • « Tailor is your trade, ain’t it? » (Captain Lam)
  • « My barbed harpoon stings more majestically than your moustachioed cutlass! » (Joh-Bou)
  • « Drooling like a neurasthenic invertebrate makes you rust your sword! » (Bon)
  • « Yarr foul breath o’scupper… Is it a tactic for defence or the menu o’las’supper? » (Well-developped Anonymous)
  • « A han'some pickling on my Keel would do so good to yer face o’herrin’! » (Captain Lam)
  • « I feel an existential angst within you: you need immediate surgery… » (Joh-Bou)
  • « Haul the foul winds from your rotten gizzard, chicken-hearted foppish scupperlout! » (Maybe the same Anonymous as above!)

Well, that’s it for now; it is obviously too short but we hope it ignites, Friend Game Master, the fuse of the explosive eloquence of Pirates! The remaining depends on your imagination and that of your Players.

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