Matoran (Language)
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| This article is about Matoran Language. You may be looking for the species or the alphabet. |
Parent Page: Society
| Matoran (Language) | |
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| Location(s) | Matoran Universe |
| Purpose(s) | Communication |
| Effects | N/A |
The Matoran language is the language used by the Matoran and other beings in the Matoran Universe. The language itself is primarily displayed in English for readers and fans to understand the storyline, although certain words and prefixes remain untranslated.
Most beings outside of the Matoran Universe would not understand this language as it is a programming language of sorts for the Great Beings.
The Matoran language is complex and has many dialects. These dialects are often kept similar enough so that Matoran, or other Matoran-speaking beings, can understand each other. Chutespeak (later known as Treespeak on the island of Mata Nui), which is spoken by the Le-Matoran of Metru Nui, is a form of Matoran slang.
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Words
Much of the language is similar to the Earth-based language of English. However, most objects, places, and beings have more bizarre and foreign-sounding names. There are a few Matoran words which meanings can be translated into English:
Nouns
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Verbs
- Zya
- Attack (archaic)
Prefixes/Suffixes
- Av
- The prefix meaning "Light"
- De
- The prefix meaning "Sonics"
- Fe
- The prefix meaning "Iron"
- Ga
- The prefix meaning "Water"
- Ko
- The prefix meaning "Ice"
- Le
- The prefix meaning "Air"
- Nui (NOO-ee)
- The prefix and suffix meaning "Great"
- Onu
- The prefix meaning "Earth"
- Po
- The prefix meaning "Stone"
- Ta
- The prefix meaning "Fire"
Several complex terms can now be created, such as Kini-Nui (Great Temple), Onu-Wahi (Earth Region), Mata Nui (Great Spirit), Kanoka Nui (Great Disks), Ta-Suva (Fire Shrine) and Nui-Kopen (Great wasp).
Kanohi
The various names of Kanohi mean the powers of the masks, not the shapes. As such:
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Each of the above terms, coupled with the word "Kanohi" before it, describes a certain mask. Many BIONICLE fans often disregard this rule in conversation because these words don't resemble any Earth language. Also, the context is often enough to understand what the speaker is saying.
Slang and Miscellaneous
- Akilini-Head/Kolhii-Head - An expression indicating a dolt or fool
- Bioquake - A synonym for earthquake
- Biostorm - A synonym for a destructive storm
- Brother/Sister – A title that roughly means 'partner' or 'comrade in arms'. The title is normally used by those who work closely together, or fight for the same cause, usually in the same group. Nearly all Toa call other members of their team brother or sister, and often continue to call each other by the title after becoming Turaga. Artakha and Karzahni also refer to each other as 'brother', though Karzahni uses the term bitterly.
- City of Legends - A nickname for Metru Nui. This term was coined by the Shadowed One during the Toa/Dark Hunter War, as he claimed "well and truly a city of legends since, as is well known, most legends are about the dead."
- Dermis shell weather - An expression which indicates bad weather, predicted by Dermis Turtles when they hide in their shells for no apparent reason
- Foolish as a Sand Snipe - An expression based on the behaviour of Sand Snipes, who characteristically drown in Liquid Protodermis while attempting to drink it
- Fire-spitter - A Le-Matoran slur for Ta-Matoran, sometimes used in a friendly context
- Goatdog - A nickname for the Pahrak Va
- Hold your Rahi - An expression which means to slow down
- Kill two Gukko with one stone - An expression which means to eliminate two objectives in one action
- Like a wild Rahi in a Knowledge Tower - An expression which indicates an out-of-control force in a fragile area
- Makutaverse - A nickname Makuta Teridax has given to the Matoran Universe whilst under his control
- M&D - Visorak shorthand for "mutation and disposal"
- Not the brightest mask in the storehouse/Not the brightest Lightstone in Onu-Koro - An expression which indicates that a being has less than average intelligence
- Nuparu's Folly - A nickname given to the Kralhi
- Old War Rahi - A veteran of war and battles
- Pohatu - Following his destruction of the Odina Fortress, the Toa Nuva of Stone's name has become slang for causing random havoc, i.e. "when in doubt, smash everything and hope you’re somewhere else when it all goes boom."
- Rahaga - The name given to the Toa Hagah when they were mutated to look like small Rahkshi-headed creatures. This name was made up by Roodaka (Rahkshi + Hagah).
- Roodaka - The name of this Vortixx has become a slang word for treachery due to her betraying of both the Dark Hunters and the Brotherhood of Makuta.
- Shambler - A nickname for a Matoran under the effect of the Vahki Vorzakh's Staff of Erasing
- Spiriah - The name of this Makuta has become a slang word for failure due to his unsuccessful experiment on the Skakdi.
- Stalking Kinloka - A nickname given to the Kinloka used on Zakaz to set off traps ahead so that the Skakdi will have a clear path
- Surfacer - An Onu-Matoran nickname for a Matoran from another region
- Tarakava Bait - An expression which indicates 'as good as dead'
- Tip of the statue - A Po-Matoran expression meaning 'just the beginning'
- Toa of Twilight - A nickname coined by Radiak for Takanuva after his Shadow Leech attack due to him possessing both Light and Shadow powers.
- Tunnel Fox - A nickname for the Nuhvok Va
- Vahki Bones/Makuta Bones/Lava Bones/Rahi Bones - an expression which indicates that someone is as good as dead
- What are you waiting for? Naming Day? - An expression intended to prompt someone to move faster or accomplish something quicker
- Whistling past Makuta's lair - An expression which means to speak excessively or constantly, sometimes about one's courageous acts, to draw attention away from the fact that the speaker is afraid
Chutespeak/Treespeak
Chutespeak is Matoran slang often used by Le-Matoran of Metru Nui. It was renamed to Treespeak on Mata Nui.
Grammar
The grammar of the Matoran language is similar, but not completely identical, to English. Plurals are the major difference; any Matoran-based word seemingly has no plural form, and therefore it must be taken from context whether they are talking about an individual or a number of creatures. Also descriptives words are sometimes placed after the word described, as in Metru Nui, which is translated as "Great City" not "City Great."
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