Piratese Handbook

From Atlantic Roleplay Wiki

Title: Piratese Handbook

Author: Titus

The topic of this discussion is to try and elaborate on the nature that is pirate speech or "the lingo", as it is known. We will start with some examples and continue as necessary.

Note that "arr" (or some variation thereof) is used many times. This is a natural result of pirate life, and it is vital to note that each "arr" is different, albeit only slightly. A true pirate will recognise the difference between all words. Later on we will discuss the effects of farming on the pirate community.

usage of this dictionary- sign. word: direct, or nearas, translation [what this means] the sign / means ascending from this point (such as /do ray fah so la te doh) means descending.

no sign usually indicates neutral, normal speeach. note that these signs are invisible in speech, not said, and are merely here to help the first time reader.

Arr: hello, how are you doing. [used as a greeting. two pirates meeting for the first time will usually have the following greeting

Arr

Arr

which translates to roughly:

1st pirate: good day, sir pirate.

2nd pirate: hello to you as well.

Arr: bad, less good, no, negative.

Arr: good, better, yes, positive.

so now we've got those three basic words, lets try and get these into a conversation.

Arr

Arr, Arr

Arr

Translates:

Hello, how are you?

Bad. You?

I am good.

So, hopefully this demonstrate how pirates speak. With a basic understanding, here is a following list of words used in common piratese.

Arr? - Question, why, how, what, how etc.

Arr? - Disbelief questioning, ie "surely not?"

Arr? - Sorry, Not understanding the pirate, rather than what he says (can be due to bad grammer, confused statement, poor piratese.

Arrr - I require you[r assistance, attention, help]

ARR - people

ARr - objects

ArR - other (plants, concepts, etc)

Arr! - look out, attention now, beware

So, imagine the scene: A pirate ship floating along, away to come in contact with the admirals ship, who is out hunting for innocent pirates. The captain and the lookout are talking.

c: Arr.

l: /Arr, Arr.

c: /Arr. (pause)

l: Arr!

c: Arr?

l: \Arr, ARR

c: (to all) Arr! \Arr, ARR, Arrr

which translates to this:

captain: how are you, lookout?

lookout: Im fine, my captain. Yourself?

captain: not bad. (pause)

lookout: HEY!

Captain: what?

lookout: Our foe! (literally "bad people")

Captain: (to all the crew) ATTENTION! We have enemies approaching, move! (ie attend to your duties, splice the mainsail, etc)

Although it would talk too long to list every piratese word ever, this should at least let you see its diversity, and give some indication of how to get on in pirate society.