Living Language Dothraki
Learning a new language has always been the gateway into experiencing a culture, but why would you want to learn about one of those boring normal languages. French? Non! German? Nein! What you want to learn is Dothraki, and now Game of Thrones fans can do just that, with the help of Living Language Dothraki: A Conversational Language Course Based on the Hit Original HBO Series Game of Thrones (on sale now!)
As the popularity of the television series, based on George R.R. Martin’s bestselling A Song of Ice and Fire books, has skyrocketed, fans have eagerly looked for any and all information on the Dothraki characters and culture – creating their own online communities to catalogue Dothraki dialogue, vocabulary, and grammar from show scripts, along with their own instructional language videos on YouTube. There are already nearly 150 self-identified Dothraki speakers on the popular “Tongues of Ice and Fire” Wiki.
Now, for the first time, viewers and readers have access to an official guide to Dothraki compiled by acclaimed language and culture consultant David J. Peterson. With more than 500 words and phrases, and including never-before-heard material and words coined exclusively for the Living Language Dothraki course, fans will have the chance to master the language and join Daenerys on her march toward King’s Landing to reclaim the Iron Throne.
Like a traditional language course, users will learn vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and even cultural notes, which lay out context as well as dos and don’ts. For example, since horses are so central to Dothraki culture, many phrases have their roots in the equestrian. Whatever you do, never call a Dothraki warrior an ifak (walker): the ultimate insult since it implies he can no longer ride his horse.
Peterson narrates the course’s lessons and dialogues, giving fans the opportunity to learn Dothraki straight from the source.
“I’m thrilled to be working with Living Language to produce the first official Dothraki text,” says Peterson. “This book will take you from arakh to zhavvorsa in no time, and the audio samples will help you perfect your pronunciation. I often get the question, ‘When will there be a Dothraki guide I can buy?’ The answer is now, thanks to Living Language. Me nem nesa!”
The course, Living Language’s first for a created language, is available in three editions:
- Living Language Dothraki (£16.99), which includes a language guide and audio CD featuring 200 words and phrases, available at the HBO Shop (hboshopeu.com) and at physical and online retailers worldwide
- Living Language Dothraki Expanded Online Course (approx. £18), covering additional vocabulary and grammar including 500 words and phrases, plus interactive quizzes and games, available at livinglanguage.com
- Living Language Dothraki Companion Mobile App (approx. £2.40), featuring 15 thematic flash card decks, available on the App Store? for iPhone®, iPad® and iPod touch®
For more information on each edition of the course, visit www.livinglanguage.com/dothraki.
