MGoT: Dodging death in Dothraki

In the latest Making Game of Thrones feature, HBO Dothraki language creator David J. Peterson shows us what words may or may not allow one to keep one’s head during an encounter with a Dothraki fonakasar whilst traveling on the Havazh. A snippet:

Achrakh yeroon zireyesee hrazef anni, zhey ifak!”

(“Your stink offends my horse, foreigner!”)

Responding in just the right way is crucial. One should be respectful, yet firm. Offend a Dothraki lajak (warrior), and he is likely to respond with his arakh; come across as weak or submissive, though, and one will likely find oneself taken as a slave. One possible response might be:

“Athchomar chomakea, zhey lajaki vezhveni. Anha goshok mehrazef shafki athiroe; me haja lekhaan k’athtihari.”

(“Respect to you, great warriors. I’m sure your horse will survive; he seems strong enough.”)

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of one’s own martial skill, or the skill of one’s bodyguards. I’m not exactly certain this will keep the chains off of one’s wrists, so to speak, but it probably depends on how intimidating you could look.

You can read the entire article HERE.

Fire And Blood: I would probably handle the situation differently. First off, I would seriously question what in the name of holy sanity I was doing on the freaking Dothraki Sea. The task would have to be pretty important, especially given the fact that open plains do not have all of the comforts that I, like Illyrio Mopatis, have become accustomed to, like high-definition television, my 6′ couch, and Milk Duds.

Once I had my wits about me I would probably need the Dothraki translation for: “Khaleesi promised her phone number. I come to take it.”

If that didn’t look like it would work on this scowling fonakasar, I would then challenge the mightiest looking warrior amongst them to single combat to the death. I would need the Dothraki translation for “That is no braid I see. That is the hair taken from the heads of a hundred squealing little girls and weaved together. A Lhazareen would use it to hold you at bay while he forced you to service his sheep with your womanly face, but because it is a false braid it would come off in his hand, allowing you to flee like the coward you surely are. One cut from me will prove how bald you should be.”

I would then hope he is so angry he kills me quickly and cleanly.

Anyone else have any particular pain-saving responses to this situation?

• Published on 01/28/2011 at 9:47 PM CDT
• Last updated on 10/20/2016 at 6:04 PM CDT