Dialects
Gorean speech is no less complex than that of any of the great natural language communities of the Earth nor are its speakers any the less diverse. It is, incidentally, a beautiful language; it can be as subtle as Greek; as direct as Latin; as expressive as Russian; as rich as English; as forceful as German. To the Goreans it is always, simply, The Language, as though there were no others, and those who do not speak it are regarded immediately as barbarians. This sweet, fierce, liquid speech is the common bond that tends to hold together the Gorean world. It is the common property of the Administrator of Ar, a herdsman beside the Vosk, a peasant from Tor, a scribe from Thentis a metalworker from Tharna, a physician from
Priest-Kings of Gor ~ 52
There are several barbarian languages spoken on Gor, usually in more remote areas. Also, some of the dialects of Gorean itself are almost unintelligible. On the other hand, Gorean, in its varieties, serves as the lingua franca of civilized Gor. There are few Goreans who cannot speak it, though with some it is almost a second language. Gorean tends to be rendered more uniform through the minglings and transactions of the great fairs. Too, at certain of these fairs, the caste of scribes, accepted as the arbiters of such matters, stipulate that certain pronounciations and grammatical, formations, and such are to be preferred over others. The Fairs, in their diverse ways, tend to standardize the language, which might otherwise disintegrate into regional variations which, over centuries, might become mutually unintelligible linguistic modalities, in effect and practice, unfortunately, separate languages. The Fairs, and, I think, the will of Priest-Kings, prevents this.
Beasts of Gor ~ 154
There are, of course, many languages spoken on Gor, but that language I have called Gorean, in its various dialects, is the lingua franca of the planet. It is spoken most everywhere, except in remote areas. One of these remote areas, of course, is the equatorial interior
Explorers of Gor ~ 100
Salutations
“Tal,” I said to the man, lifting my arm in the common Gorean greeting.
Outlaw of Gor ~ 70
In the halls we passed many individuals, who would normally, in Gorean fashion, lift the right hand, palm inward, saying “Tal,” which greeting, in turn, we returned
Assassin of Gor ~ 392
“Tal, Kajirae!” cried one of the men, waving.
Captive of Gor ~ 87
Greetings, Ute,” said I, smiling. “Tal, El-in-or,” smiled Ute.
Captive of Gor ~ 245
“Greetings Captain,” said Thurnock.
Hunters of Gor ~ 62
“The Forkbeard greets you!” shouted Ivar. I blinked. The hall was light. I had not understood it to be so large. At the tables, lifting ale and knives to the Forkbeard were more than a thousand men.
Mauraders of Gor ~ 194
“Tal Master,” they said to me.
“Tal Slave Girls,” I said to them.
Tribesmen of Gor ~ 345
“Greetings,” said the captain to him.
“Greetings,” said Hurtha. Hurtha was a friendly Alar.
Mercenaries of Gor ~ 444
“Greetings Citizen,” said the first of my master’s men.
“Greetings,” said the fellow, before whom I knelt.
Dancer of Gor ~ 309
“Hail, Teibar!” called another.
From the latter manner of greeting, I gathered this Teibar might be excellent with the staff, or sword. Such greetings are usually reserved for recognized experts, or champions, at one thing or another. For example, a skilled Kaissa player is sometimes greeted in such a manner. I studied Teibar. I would have suspected his expertise to be with the sword.
Magicians of Gor ~ 52
“Then I wish you prosperity,” I laughed, “and will be on my way.”
Outlaw of Gor ~ 29
The Gorean phrase of farewell came silently to my lips. “I wish you well.”
Outlaw of Gor ~ 170
Gestures
Applause
There was Gorean applause in the room, the striking of the right palm on the left shoulder.
Rogue of Gor ~ 13
Applause of Warriors
There was some polite striking of the left shoulder with the right hand in the room, which is a common Gorean applause, though not of the warriors, who clash weapons.
Raiders of Gor ~ 177
Blowing a kiss
I blew her a kiss in the Gorean fashion, kissing and gesturing, my fingers at the right side of my mouth, almost vertical, then, with the kiss, brushing gently toward her.
Marauders of Gor ~ 134
Salute of a Warrior
Murmillius lifted his blade to me. It was the salute of a Warrior. A Warrior, I thought to myself, he is of the Warriors. I returned the salute.
Assassin of Gor ~ 349
Speaking in Third
“Who betrayed Ute?” she demanded. I shook my head. Ute's fists were excruciating in my hair.
“Who?” she demanded. I could not speak, so terrified I was. She shook my head viciously.
“Who?” she demanded. “I did,” I cried. “I did!” “Speak as a slave!” demanded Ute.
“El-in-or betrayed Ute!” I cried. “El-in-or betrayed Ute!”
“Worthless slave,” I heard a voice behind me say. I turned, as well as I could, and saw, to my dismay, Rask of Treve. I closed my eyes, sobbing.
Captive of Gor ~ 287
Writing
Gorean, I might note, is somewhat similar, and though I speak Gorean fluently,
I find it very difficult to write, largely because of the even-numbered lines which, from my point of view, must be written backwards. Torm, my friend of the Caste of Scribes, never forgave me this and to this day, if he lives, he undoubtedly considers me partly illiterate. As he said, I would never make a Scribe.
“It is simple,” he said. “You just write it forward but in the other direction.”
Priest Kings of Gor ~ 100
Reading
Occasionally heralds, or criers, would pass by, calling out news or announcements. Many on this world, you see, cannot read. Thus the importance of the heralds, the criers, and such. Many things are advertised, too, in such a way, by calling out bargains, the fruits in season, the markets, the cost of cloth, and such. Too, one may hear men, or often boys, for it costs less to hire them, calling out the pleasures of various taverns, and the delights that may be found in within.
Witness of Gor ~ 37
