Topic: Mandalorian language

I'm not sure this was posted before, if it has been, I apologize. I just find this insane. It is basically like, Fett fans are so crazy, they might as well be like the Klingon fans of Star Wars. Here's what I found cruising wikipedia today:

Mandalorian (Mando’a) is a fictional language spoken by the Mandalorians of Star Wars. It is currently being developed into a working language by Karen Traviss.

Portions exist in the Republic Commando video game and its spin-off books, Republic Commando: Hard Contact and the sequel, Republic Commando: Triple Zero. Online samples include fan-created dictionaries, web logs by Traviss, and two downloadable guides from StarWars.com. A recent article in Star Wars Insider contained a guide to the language, and online audio clips have been released as well.

The language started as Republic Commando game lyrics by Jesse Harlin at LucasArts, and it is from that that Traviss has begun developing the language.

This entry on the Mandalorian language is from here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandalorian_language

Further discussion here by Karen herself:

http://boards.theforce.net/literature/b10003/21531491/p1/?439

(I think she should come here to talk about it, personally.)

http://www.karentraviss.com//sound_files/Bistro.mp3
http://www.karentraviss.com//sound_files/Cop.mp3
http://www.karentraviss.com//sound_files/Sith.mp3

Some audio lessons on Mandalorian.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Mando%27a

Really big word list and much more info on SW's wiki.

Yeah.  I remember hearing on the news one time that a college in Washington state was offering a course in Klingon.  I can see it now.  "What are you taking this semester?"  "Oh, I signed up for Mando'a."

:-)

I also found a new word for us Fett fans, that I guess has been coined.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Fandalorians

I think I'm the only one, but I don't really like this that we now have an enitre Mandalorian language we can learn. I mean, I guess it's fine and I'll eventually learn it. But this just kinda sucks for me cause I've spent probably four years trying to learn Huttese (on and off, so I haven't accomplished too much), and now instead of a full Huttese language we get a Mandalorian one. I mean, I am glad they decided to make one. But why call it Mando'a? That just sounds stupid to me. Even in KOTOR they call the Mandalorian language "Mandalorian". Oh, well.

What's wrong with English? Mandalorians seem to have ALWAYS spoke it until I just found all this new stuff coming out. Come on, those old Marvel comics about Mandalorians were in English. They never had a different language. Until now. If you think about Star Wars, doesn't only the non-Humans have different languages? Hutts, Rodians, etc?

Miba, do yourself a favor and learn an actual language. One we use on Earth. I think it is more important, is all.

Eric, Why do you have your own rank system?

I believe the context is that it is called Mando'a in the Mandalorians own language.  When they talk to outsiders, they speak BASIC, so they call it Mandalorian.  Because, that is the BASIC translation of the word Mando'a.  When Germans speak to English speaking people, they call the language German.  However, the actual name for it is Deutsch (did I spell that right?--it's been so long since high school), in the actual German language.  It's just the same principle as that, is all.

Oops, never thought of that. That's a good point, thank you.

I can do anything, dude!

It's good to be the King, eh?

:-p

Basic Mando'a writing if knowbody knows it.....
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i2/True_Warrior/mando.jpg

{MW} TW

I have delved into Mando'a myself!  I like it!  It's fun to try to use...however, languages were never my strongest point and just learning Spanish (which I dont' know much of anyway) was a chore after vocab.  I have also looked up the Mandalorian written script--it kinda reminds me of some sort of cuneiform of the ancient Sumerians.  OH this is just soo much fun!!  Ahhh--Aurabesh!  Anyone here know it fairly well?  I know most of the letters by now.

Huttese?? now that's one Star Wars language I know very, very little of.

I like the whole mando language they've come up with....in fact, im getting ready to change my name from MandalorianSpy9 to something mandalorian. I'll letcha guys know it's me when i get it. :)  until then... Vode An

                                                        MS9

Mandalorian language...that's way too cool!

Ah! Im dying to know what it is! :P

TW

It's fun to practice.  One online pal of mine and I used to send phrases back and forth in Mando'a and translate them.  It was great practice, not to mention a lot of fun!

Here ya go TW....Beskaryc Beroya - armored bounty hunter       yup  its pretty awesome....i LUUUUUV it   yessssssss   ok   the reason i didn't tell ya righta way is because i didn't want anyone to take it    kinda like the whole T-Visa thing....so  anyways.   so  JUST TO LET EVERYONE KNOW       BESKARYC BEROYA USED TO BE MANDALORIANSPY9     ok   had to let that out...

                                                               BB*

Mando'ade Darasuum---Mandalorians Eternity (kinda wanting it to be Eternally or Forever--ish)  I'm not perfect with languages, but I thought in Mando'a it sounded okay.   :-)

She has way to much time on her hands....

I have only played one sound bite so far--I have dial-up, so dl'ing anything like movies or sounds sometimes takes a while.  I heard the one with the police officer, but my media player cut it off short for some reason.

Anyway, the language is just as interesting to listen to as it is to read.  Even though it is fictional, I agree to something previously mentioned in this thread---I also see it comparable to Klingon.   Ahhh--I have an idea for a discussion topic for another thread....hehehhe

I have Learning Mando'a on the TO DO list, but I'm trying to finish two more books out of a three book proposal first.  I figure it's a nice fall task, when the nights get long. Thanks for the links, BTW.

I have mixed feelings about this whole language arts thing. As a Fett Fan, I feel obligated to at least listen and give it a shot at learning. But I do feel weird about this invented language. Then again, all of Star Wars is invented, so that shoots the argument out of the water.  The DH cotninually teases me by making up words and telling me he's speaking Mando'a. He likes to do this in public places, like the mall and Chili's. (And he's 42!!!) So I figure I'm at least getting some entertainment value out of the whole experience.

Of note: my local SUNY campus offers Klingon as a language credited course (Got to love NY state), and yes, Eric, Fett Fans are 'so crazy'. It's a nice kind of mania, actually, and proof that not all obsessions end badly.

That's awesome, lol. Maybe soon we will see weddings conducted in Mando'a? :P Whatever the case, this is news to me...

Yup   the whole thing is pretty awesome.    I'm not sure if it is quite a full language yet though, to me it seems to be only bits and pieces.....  so  i'm looking forward to a finished piece that Karen Traviss will probably put out soon....   Vode An!

                                           Beskaryc Beroya

Mandálii kote, su'van ca'atrë! - Mandalorian glory, our strength unmatched!

Hey, I'm going to spend the last weeks of my summer learning Mando'a, now that I've come back from Europe and had to speak Portuguese and Spanish (and Espantoguese, oi ve!) all month.  It's going to be a relief to learn a language without having native speakers listening and giving me stupid looks when I say something wrong (even in Russian class we have a native Russian lady helping us.)  Reasons to learn Mando'a?  1)You can do it in the convenience of your own home.  2)No one knows if you're saying anything wrong.  3)All the information is easily available on the internet.  4)I guarantee you, it's easier than any real language out there.  5)It will increase your capacity for learning languages, making it easier in the future to learn real ones.  6)It will make you better at English by teaching you parts of speech, grammar, etc.

Reasons not to: It's not practical, geeky, and really stupid (sorry just my opinion.)

Wait just a minute there.  What is the difference between wasting your time being geeky and unpractical by posting on this website, and learning a fake language?  At least the latter boosts your I.Q. and can help you get work as a novelist.  I don't see what the purpose of posting on the BFFC is besides entertainment--the exact same purpose as learning Mando'a.

Sorry if I sounded negative there, everybody.  I really don't think the BFFC is a waste of time.  I was just trying to prove a point.

What's wrong with being geeky? Isn't it unpractical and geeky that you made a Boba costume? Why waste time making a costume for a fake character? Why not do something more realistic like making medevil armor or something? Like Chrys, just trying to make a point.

I, too, think that learning Mando'a would be a cool idea. If only for practice to help you learn other languages. When I was a kid I tried to learn Spanish and I did very well, and I think that's really helped me be able to pick up bits and peices of other languages, fake or real. And besides, even if you do learn a real language what's the garuntee that it really will help you later in life? The tiny bits of spanish I still remember hasn't helped me one bit, whereas Huttese has helped me better understand many things. (How many people here can honestly say they understand almost everything the security droid on Jabba's door said in the beginning of ROTJ? I can.)

Besides, it's an entertainment thing. Why watch a fake movie? Entertainment. Why learn a fake language? Entertainment. Nothing wrong with that.

Miba,I can't add anything else.You covered all the points so well.Congrats.And as the Mandalorians say,su'varía, scévii la'duthlam.

Well, this is the SERIOUS GEEKING section, right?

:-p

Serious Geeking???!!  LOL  You bet it is!!   And I know I'm one of the serious geeks! :P

I actually didn't pick up on languages as easily as I did sciences.  I did well my first year of Spanish, but just about flunked my second year (we started getting picky with grammar--first year was vocab), so I'm surprised I'm finding Mando'a easier to pick up (though it isn't an actual wordly language--it is still fun I agree!!).  I would also like to learn German--my mom knows some German from her time over there, and as we have some German heritage in our family, that makes me want to learn it more.

"Munit ca'nara, ne'haa'tayli"--------- long time, no see (from me anyway... lol)

Just to screw with him, I should demand we renew our vows in full Mando. Just for kicks, though, I will invite a few Klingons.

Being a Geek rules. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. The best part about being a geek?  You learn early to follow your bliss and say 'to hell' with the crowd. Boba Fett fans are particularly excellent geeks, and strong individuals.

speak on revren!! :P Your absolutly right!!! :D

TW

Oya!!    Nicely put!

lol

Hhmmm...wedding vows in Mando'a---cool idea!  Now I gotta find a guy as big a fan as I am... :P