#topic: language

[cushlamochree]

zeugmas are my favorite figure of speech. two nouns are given the same verb, and they both work, or not. it’s tricky. i can’t explain what i mean. zeugmas take words and twist them up, testing your intelligence and your patience. my heart is learning to beat to an unfamiliar rhythm, and the only thing i know is art doesn’t have to rhyme. i’m going to take two words, resolve on a verb and my mind.

T.M.T

prompt: acrostic - “zanzibar”

for @ample-lighting

[constructionset]

Bosmer

The Bosmer are a light, careless, insubstantial people. They are barely civilized barbarians, living in unheated communal huts in the middle of empty forest wastelands. They are marvelous archers and cunning hunters, but they are worthless as hirelings, having no concept of contract, obligation, or loyalty. They are passionate and spiritually alive, but befuddled by primitive superstitions and shamanistic spirit worship.

The Bosmer are the clanfolk of the Western Valenwood forests. In the Empire, they are called "Wood Elves," but they call themselves the Bosmer, or the 'Tree-Sap' people. They scorn pretense and formality, preferring a romantic, simple existence in harmony with the wild beauty of nature. They are nimble and quick in body and wit, and there are no finer archers in all of Tamriel.

We're small, sharp, and smart. We love wild creatures, wild beauty, and wild life, unlike our dull cousins. We are not very polite, but don't have to be, since we shoot straight and run like the wind.

The Bosmer are foreigners, outlanders. They live in trees and eat nothing but meat. We have no forests here. Why don't they go back where they came from?

[constructionset]

Bal Molagmer

The Bal Molagmer, or "Stone Fire Men," once carried their burning stones from Red Mountain over all of Morrowind, lighting hearth fires and lanterns. It is said that their fires brought the light of justice. They vanished many years ago.

The Bal Molagmer, or "Stone Fire Men," once carried their burning stones from Red Mountain over all of Morrowind, lighting hearth fires and lanterns. Are those Bal Molagmer gloves? Those are priceless historical treasures.

There is a legend about "Stone Fire Men" who brought the light of justice to the land. Though the Bal Molagmer were thieves, they stole only from the unjust and gave to those in need. They vanished early in the Third Era, and have not been seen since. I believe it is time for the Bal Molagmer to return. Here--these gloves were used by the Bal Molagmer to carry their burning stones from the Red Mountain. When you are ready to rekindle the fires of the Bal Molagmer, wear the gloves and speak with me again.

Unlike most Dunmer, the Bal Molagmer opposed slavery. I want you to steal Brallion's ring.

[constructionset]

Altmer

Altmer are the tall, light-skinned Elves of the West. They were once like us, but they became soft and foolish. They abandoned their ancestors and put their faith in big buildings and sorcery. The greatfathers of our greatfathers were kin of the Altmer, but the Prophet Veloth led us out of the West and brought us here so our rites and customs could remain pure.

We Altmer are proud, wise, and beautiful. The Empire is built on the arts, crafts, and sciences of the High Elves. Our pure blood protects us from disease, and makes us superior spellcrafters.

Altmer are the light-skinned, tall Elven peoples of the Summerset Isles. 'High' is taken to mean variously 'tall,' 'proud,' and 'culturally snobbish.' In the Empire, 'High Elves' is the common usage. They consider themselves the most civilized culture of Tamriel, and, in truth, the common tongue of the Empire, Tamrielic, is based on their speech and writing, and most of the Empire's arts, crafts, and sciences are derived from High Elven traditions.

Altmer -- literally, 'the High, or Cultured People,' or 'High Elves' -- are the light-skinned, tall Elven peoples of the Summerset Isles. 'High' is taken to mean variously 'tall,' 'proud,' and 'culturally snobbish.' In the Empire, 'High Elves' is the common usage.

The Altmer are proud, conceited, and decadent. Their clothes, manners, arts, and crafts are highly refined, but they are godless and spiritually empty. They content themselves with reliving the aged glories of their martial traditions and their mastery of sorcery and enchantment. Their achievements are admirable, but their culture no longer serves any vital purpose.

Traditionally, the Altmer have used the goblins to reinforce their armies. Why, I do not know. Rumor has it that Helseth has contracted two Altmer to train his goblin army. If you find these Altmer, it would be a service to rid the city of them as well.

[constructionset]

Aldmeris

Aldmeris is the original Elvish language, still spoken as a first language among isolated Elven communities, and spoken and written by all educated Elves, and the language of the Elven arts. The root '-mer' is analogous with the root '-man' or '-men' in human language; thus, the Elves are mer as Humans are men.

[radbookquotes]

Because I think the definitions of many males false and limited, I am suspicious of resolving any conflict of meaning in favour of males. I have yet to be convinced that many of them are in the position of having a wide range of evidence to draw upon. It is in this sense that I believe women have potential power because their experience as muted group has given them access to a broader range of meanings, which they can begin to use. It is also why I believe it would be unsatisfactory for women to become the dominant group: it fosters the growth of false meanings. Marginality can be productive.

Dale Spender, Man Made Language