Jump to content


In a hole in the ground there lived...



Photo

Learning Matoran: Lesson 6

Posted by Tolkien , in Matoran Language, Long Entries, linguistics, Language and Etymology, Bionicle Feb 12 2013 · 68 views

LEARNING MATORAN

- LESSON 6 -

 
Well, it’s been a long time. Time makes for changes. Change is scary. But after a long hiatus, I’ve worked up the motivation to post another installment of this project. Recently, I have actually been surprised to see some interest in the continuation of this endeavor, and for that I am grateful.
 
I’m afraid the changes to this conception of the Matoran Language have been significant--enough so that some of the previous lessons are now a bit outdated. This installment will deal with a more in-depth description of verbs in Matoran. Luckily, I never delved too deeply into the verbal system in previous lessons, so the changes won’t really be apparent. The pronominal system is largely intact, so check out Lesson 5 if you need a refresher. Nouns won’t make an appearance at all, so you don’t have to worry about them. One extremely minor change: I have been using the macron diacritic over a vowel to indicate a long vowel (ā, ē, ō, etc.), mainly as a space-saving convention. A double vowel is technically more in line with the orthography of Bionicle names, and it can still be used.
 
One final note: the tone of this “revised” lesson may be slightly less user-friendly than the tone of prior lessons. I’m afraid that that is an unfortunate result of the more in-depth nature of the topics discussed here. If you are really interested in learning more about some particular facet of this version of the Matoran Language, but find that the discussion here is worded obtusely or in a confusing manner, or if you have any general questions at all, feel free to leave a comment and let me know or send me a PM. Otherwise, have fun.
 
I. Verbs: Overview.
 
Verbs in Matoran are different from the typical English verb. They are made up of a stem and a verbal particle. There are three major verbal particles that will be mentioned here: ha, ya, and ma. These particles basically serve to indicate that the stem with which they are paired is of the category “verb” (rather than another category, such as “noun” or “adjective”). Some examples of common verbs are ka ma “to move”, ora ha “to speak”, and mat ya “to use/master”.
 
The combination of stem+particle will be referred to as the verbal complex.  This complex does not always form a rigid unit, since the particle can be separated from the stem in many cases. A few examples will illustrate (recall that the first person subject pronoun is o “I”):
 
1) a. o ka ma   “I move.”
    b. o ma ka   “I do move.”
    c. o ora ha   “I speak.”
    d. o ha ora   “I do speak.”
 
(1a) compared to (1b) and (1c) compared to (1d) show one particular difference in the positioning of the particle with respect to the stem. If the particle is placed before the stem, it serves to emphasize the “reality” of the event described, much as in English. Placing the particle after the verb is the more standard procedure, however. Note that, in both cases, the subject (o “I”) precedes the entire verbal complex (stem+particle). It is a general rule for subjects to precede the verbal complex (especially when they are pronominal).
 
The particle ya is slightly irregular compared to ha and ma. When it is positioned before the stem, it is essentially “split”, leaving behind a vowel i, while a is displaced before the stem as usual (mat ya > a mat i).
 
In writing, the stem and particle can be written either as separate units (as above), as a single unit (i.e., kama, maka), or as separate units joined by a dash (ka-ma, ma-ka). It is usually standard procedure to write the stem and particle as a single unit when the particle follows the stem (kama), but as separate units (joined by a dash or not) when the particle precedes the stem (ma ka, ma-ka, but not usually maka). These are not hard-and-fast rules, but I will follow them in most cases for the sake of clarity in the discussions that follow.
 
II. Verbs: Inflection.
 
Verbs in Matoran are inflected for Tense and Aspect. Tense takes the form of Present Tense, Past Tense, and Future Tense. Aspect takes the form of Imperfective Aspect (non-completed action) and Perfective Aspect  (completed action).
 
IIa. Tense.
 
Tense is encoded on the verbal particle by modification of the basic form of the particle.
 
Present Tense is the simplest, with no change to the particle:
 
2) a. oraha > o oraha “I speak.”
    b. matya > o matya “I use (smthg.)”
    c. kama > o kama “I move/go.”
 
Past Tense changes the vowel of the particle to -ō (can be written -oo or just -o in shorthand; -ō develops from earlier -ā, showing that the formation of the past tense was originally just lengthening of the particle vowel a > ā):
 
3) a. ora ha > o orahō “I spoke.”
    b. mat ya > o matyō “I used (smthg.)”
    c. ka ma > o kamō “I moved/went.”
 
Future Tense changes the vowel of the particle to -ē (can be written -ee or just -e in shorthand; -ē develops from an earlier diphthong -ae, showing that the formation of the future tense was originally the addition of a vowel -e to the particle vowel -a > -ae).
 
4) a. ora ha > o orahē “I will speak.”
    b. mat ya > o matyē “I will use (smthg.)”
    c. ka ma > o kamē “I will move/go.”
 
Tense inflection can also occur with the reversed particle+stem configuration, in which case the tense-marked particle is simply displaced before the stem (e.g., orahō > hō-ora, matyē > ē-mati, etc.).
 
IIb. Aspect.
 
Aspect is encoded by the addition of an aspectual particle to the verbal complex. If no aspectual particle is added, the interpretation is ambiguous between the different types of aspect (e.g., imperfective, perfective, etc.). Aspectual particles always follow the verbal complex, regardless of whether or not the complex is stem+particle (e.g., ora ha) or particle+stem (ha ora):
 
Imperfective Aspect is equivalent in meaning to the progressive construction in English (be+...-ing: "I am/was/will be playing with Legos."). It is indicated by the addition of the particle ana to the verbal complex. This particle frequently merges with the stem or particle preceding it, taking on the form of a suffix more than an independent particle. In such cases, it can be written either as -na or -‘na. The imperfective particle can be used with all tenses: present, past, and future:
 
5) With present tense:
    a. ora ha > o oraha ana > o orahana OR o oraha’na “I am speaking.”
    b. mat ya > o matya ana > o matyana OR o matya’na  “I am using (smthg.)”
    c. ka ma > o kama ana > o kamana OR o kama’na “I am moving/going.”
 
6) With past tense:
    a. ora ha > o orahō ana > o orahōna OR o orahō’na “I was speaking.”
    b. mat ya > o matyō ana > o matyōna OR o matyō’na  “I was using (smthg.)”
    c. ka ma > o kamō ana > o kamōna OR o kamō’na “I was moving/going.”
 
7) With future tense:
    a. ora ha > o orahē ana > o orahēna OR o orahē’na “I will be speaking.”
    b. mat ya > o matyē ana > o matyēna OR o matyē’na  “I will be using (smthg.)”
    c. ka ma > o kamē ana > o kamēna OR o kamē’na “I will be moving/going.”
 
These tense/aspect combinations can also occur with the reversed particle+stem configuration, in which case the aspectual particle still follows the verbal complex and instead attaches to the stem itself (rather than the particle):
 
8) With present tense:
    a. ha-ora > o ha-ora ana > o ha-orana OR o ha-ora’na   “I am speaking.”
    b. a-mati > o a-mati ana > o a-matyana   “I am using (smthg.)”
    c. ma-ka > o ma-ka ana > o ma-kana OR o ma-ka’na   “I am moving/going.”
 
9) With past tense:
    a. ha-ora > o hō-ora ana > o hō-orana OR o hō-ora’na   “I was speaking.”
    b. a-mati > o ō-mati ana > o ō-matyana   “I was using (smthg.)”
    c. ma-ka > o mō-ka ana > o mō-kana OR o mō-ka’na   “I was moving/going.”
 
10) With future tense:
    a. ha-ora > o hē-ora ana > o hē-orana OR o hē-ora’na   “I will be speaking.”
    b. a-mati > o ē-mati ana > o ē-matyana   “I will be using (smthg.)”
    c. ma-ka > o mē-ka ana > o mē-kana OR o mē-ka’na “I will be moving/going.”
 
Perfective Aspect is equivalent in meaning to the perfect construction in English (have+...-ed: "I have/had/will have played with Legos."). It is indicated by the addition of the particle anga to the verbal complex. This particle frequently merges with the stem or particle preceding it, taking on the form of a suffix more than an independent particle. In such cases, it can be written either as -nga or -‘nga. The perfective particle can also be used with all tenses: present, past, and future:
 
11) With present tense:
    a. ora ha > o oraha anga > o orahanga OR o oraha’nga “I have spoken.”
    b. mat ya > o matya anga > o matyanga OR o matya’nga  “I have used (smthg.)”
    c. ka ma > o kama anga > o kamanga OR o kama’nga “I have moved/gone.”
 
12) With past tense:
    a. ora ha > o orahō anga > o orahōnga OR o orahō’nga “I had spoken.”
    b. mat ya > o matyō anga > o matyōnga OR o matyō’nga  “I had used (smthg.)”
    c. ka ma > o kamō anga > o kamōnga OR o kamō’nga “I had moved/gone.”
 
13) With future tense:
    a. ora ha > o orahē anga > o orahēnga OR o orahē’nga “I will have spoken.”
    b. mat ya > o matyē anga > o matyēnga OR o matyē’nga  “I will have used (smthg.)”
    c. ka ma > o kamē anga > o kamēnga OR o kamē’nga “I will have moved/gone.”
 
These tense/aspect combinations can also occur with the reversed particle+stem configuration, in which case the aspectual particle still follows the verbal complex and instead attaches to the stem itself (rather than the particle):
 
14) With present tense:
    a. ha-ora > o ha-ora anga > o ha-oranga OR o ha-ora’nga   “I have spoken.”
    b. a-mati > o a-mati anga > o a-matyanga   “I have used (smthg.)”
    c. ma-ka > o ma-ka anga > o ma-kanga OR o ma-ka’nga   “I have moved/gone.”
 
15) With past tense:
    a. ha-ora > o hō-ora anga > o hō-oranga OR o hō-ora’nga   “I had spoken.”
    b. a-mati > o ō-mati anga > o ō-matyanga   “I had used (smthg.)”
    c. ma-ka > o mō-ka anga > o mō-kanga OR o mō-ka’nga   “I had moved/gone.”
 
16) With future tense:
    a. ha-ora > o hē-ora anga > o hē-oranga OR o hē-ora’nga   “I will have spoken.”
    b. a-mati > o ē-mati anga > o ē-matyanga   “I will have used (smthg.)”
    c. ma-ka > o mē-ka anga > o mē-kanga OR o mē-ka’nga “I will have moved/gone.”
 
IIc. Stem changes and irregularities.
 
Oh dear! You thought you were going to get off easy, didn’t you? Well, don’t be too nervous: most of these “irregularities” are pretty straightforward:
 
- Verbal complexes containing the particle ha exhibit a strengthening of h to kh when it occurs between vowels. Thus:
 
17) a. ora ha > orakha (basic present tense)
       b. ha ora > ha-ora (basic present tense, particle+stem order, no strengthening)
       c. ora ha ana > orakhana (present imperfective)
       d. ha-ora ana > ha-orana (present imperf., particle+stem order, no strengthening)
 
- Verbal complexes containing the particle ma in which the stem ends in a vowel (e.g., ka ma “to move/go” but not jut ma “to decay”) exhibit an assimilation of m to n in the presence of the imperfective particle ana, along with an overall reduction of the verbal complex itself. This only occurs in the present tense:
 
18) a. ka ma ana > kamana > kanna (present imperf.)
       b. ka mō ana > kamōna (past imperf., no assimilation/reduction)
       c. jut ma ana > jutmana  (present imperf., no assimilation/reduction)
 
[Does (17a) look familiar? How about (18a)? If you’re familiar with the previous Lessons (Lesson 3, to be precise), you may recognize that these “irregularities” are essentially the same as the “stem gradation” of older versions of the Matoran Language. The end result is very similar, but the original system of “stem gradation” had no real etymological basis, so it was significantly revised. Is it a blast from the past, or just a horrible over-complication? I don’t know!*]
 
*I don’t care!



Read Full Entry →
0 Comments

Photo

Example (4a)

Posted by Tolkien , in Bionicle, linguistics Oct 30 2012 · 79 views
treeees
Posted Image

Just a placeholder example from a journal article in the works. Disregard the surrounding jargon. It’s pretty bad, but I thought I’d share it anyways (yay semantico-syntactic treeees). I’m considering just leaving the example in there to see what kind of “huh?” reaction it gets out of an editor. Could be fun...

JRRT



Read Full Entry →
4 Comments

Photo

"The End" Explained

Posted by Tolkien , in Writing??, Long Entries, Bionicle Oct 24 2012 · 156 views
the end, short story, explanation
A few of you may have read a short story I posted at the end of last year, entitled “The End”. If you haven’t...well, this blog post won’t make much sense to you at all. So, in the interest of understanding, why not...go...read it? You might like it. (Shameful plug. Yeah, shameful.)

Regardless, I’ve always considered “The End” to be one of the most cryptic things I’ve written, probably to its own detriment. That’s been the consensus of the reviews, at least, and it’s my fault. The story is very vague about some very important points, and I’ve never given any clear description of the back-story or the idea behind the story itself (although there is a consistent storyline. I promise!). Well, now it’s time to end (!) the silence, and spoil it all. Read on if you care.

------------------

Basically, “The End” is set in an alternate Bionicle universe. That much, at least, has been stated before. Events progress in basically the same way that they did in the primary Bionicle reality, with a few significant changes. These differences are referenced (in an admittedly very vague way) in a series of passages near the end of the story. To start off, I’ll quote the passage of primary interest in full.

[Note: I am assuming that you’ve read the story, and are somewhat familiar with the plot, so I won’t be doing an in-depth summary of anything up to this point].

Nga-ro remembered the time before…a time when he had had a different place, a different name. What had his name been? He remembered the voices of his companions, his people. All around him, working and laboring. Filling the world with their voices and their life as he looked on from a distance.

And then it started to fade, and he felt weary…so weary…A dark figure arose on the horizon of the world. Black and immense, his laughter echoed in the skies. He lifted a hand upward, and sleep took hold of Nga-ro. Endless sleep. But Nga-ro had no relief, for the duty tortured him in his slumber. Make it right. Make it right.

He glimpsed the black one—the one who called himself Nothing—saw how he took hold of the world, sought to drain it of its life and its light. No, no, no. He had to make it right…but he was slipping away, slipping away into the darkness beyond all darkness. The darkness of death, and suddenly his spirit was alone in the cold, and harsh stars shed their alien light upon him. He had lost his destination, the point toward which he had always directed his steps. His guiding star. Nga-ro…no, surely that was not his name then…he had lost himself.

No! It must not be so! He turned back toward the world of the living, clawed his way back from the darkness. But he could not return to his former place. He was cast out, alone and unseen, as the world—his world—fell into chaos. Even the dark one could not stop it. He had not known what the consequences would be.

But then Nga-ro looked within himself, and a plan formed. Back, back, back to the City. The city still filled with life, with light. The dark one had fled, cowering, trying to escape. Even he was fearful, who had called himself Master of Fear, even he feared to become nothing in the end.

But Nga-ro had a plan. He had walked upon the solid ground and looked upon the solid sights of the City, and around him the people had gathered and they had seen him as he was—like them. Small, perhaps, but very alive. And he had told them his plan, as darkness fell over the world:

Sleep.

Sleep.

All must sleep.

And I will keep watch, until the darkness is over, and the light is found again.

Sleep, now.

Until I make all things right…


Okay, so (spoilers!) Nga-ro is actually the Great Spirit in Matoran form. At the end of the story, he “awakens” the Matoran (and, presumably, the rest of the universe), and the journey of the MU continues on toward Spherus Magna. This passage provides the backstory for how things came to be as they are at the time of “The End”. Nga-ro is alone, having forgotten almost everything. Metru Nui is in shambles. Everything is dark and dead. What leads up to this?

Nga-ro remembered the time before…a time when he had had a different place, a different name. What had his name been? He remembered the voices of his companions, his people. All around him, working and laboring. Filling the world with their voices and their life as he looked on from a distance.


The Great Spirit watches the Matoran—his people—“from a distance”. Pretty straightforward.

And then it started to fade, and he felt weary…so weary…A dark figure arose on the horizon of the world. Black and immense, his laughter echoed in the skies. He lifted a hand upward, and sleep took hold of Nga-ro. Endless sleep. But Nga-ro had no relief, for the duty tortured him in his slumber. Make it right. Make it right.


Mata Nui feels “weary”, a “dark figure” appears, and Mata Nui falls asleep. Also pretty straightforward. It should be clear that the “dark figure” is Makuta. Recall that there’s already been a discussion of someone who was called “Nothing” (but who must have had a more “original” name) earlier in the story.

He glimpsed the black one—the one who called himself Nothing—saw how he took hold of the world, sought to drain it of its life and its light. No, no, no. He had to make it right…but he was slipping away, slipping away into the darkness beyond all darkness. The darkness of death, and suddenly his spirit was alone in the cold, and harsh stars shed their alien light upon him. He had lost his destination, the point toward which he had always directed his steps. His guiding star. Nga-ro…no, surely that was not his name then…he had lost himself.


Mata Nui dreams as Makuta takes over the universe. And eventually, he slips into the “darkness of death”, having lost “his destination” (what is Mata Nui’s destination? Spherus Magna: a “guiding star”).

At this point, a summary/clarification of events is in order:
- First (this is implied but never stated), the MU never crashes into Aqua Magna after Mata Nui falls asleep. Therefore, the Great Cataclysm doesn’t necessarily happen in the same way. Why does that matter? It does. I promise.

- Second, Mata Nui falls asleep, and Makuta begins to take over the universe. Mata Nui dreams about this (he is “tortured” by his duty).

- Mata Nui eventually dies, same as in the primary Bionicle reality. He is “alone in the cold, and harsh stars shed their alien light upon him.” At this point, he has also lost his destination, Spherus Magna.

- This is where the second significant change comes into play, and events progress differently from there. Continuing on:

He turned back toward the world of the living, clawed his way back from the darkness.


Pretty straightforward. Mata Nui’s spirit returns.

But he could not return to his former place. He was cast out, alone and unseen, as the world—his world—fell into chaos.


Mata Nui’s death means that the MU is shutting down (falling into chaos). Mata Nui is only a spirit though, and cannot (or doesn’t remember how) to gain control of the MU again.

Even the dark one could not stop it. He had not known what the consequences would be.


This is an aside concerning Makuta. We know that, at some point, Makuta didn’t know that Mata Nui would die. So the MU shutting down was a wrinkle in his plan.

But then Nga-ro looked within himself, and a plan formed. Back, back, back to the City. The city still filled with life, with light.


The City is Metru Nui. Easy enough. Mata Nui has a plan.

The dark one had fled, cowering, trying to escape. Even he was fearful, who had called himself Master of Fear, even he feared to become nothing in the end.


Another aside concerning the fate of Makuta. Failing to prevent the shutdown of the universe, he flees.

But Nga-ro had a plan. He had walked upon the solid ground and looked upon the solid sights of the City, and around him the people had gathered and they had seen him as he was—like them. Small, perhaps, but very alive. And he had told them his plan, as darkness fell over the world:


This was probably the vaguest point of the entire story (although it is clarified slightly by a later passage). Basically, it’s implied that Mata Nui regains a physical form in Metru Nui (“walked upon the solid ground and looked upon the solid sights of the City”). The Matoran see him “as he was—like them. Small, perhaps, but very alive.” Implication is that he has become a Matoran. He tells them his plan, as the universe shuts down:

Sleep.

Sleep.

All must sleep.

And I will keep watch, until the darkness is over, and the light is found again.

Sleep, now.

Until I make all things right…


Basically, the universe (or maybe just the Matoran in Metru Nui?) goes into hibernation/stasis. Mata Nui alone remains, trying to figure out how to “make things right”.

This is probably the central concept of the story: a reversal of Mata Nui and the Matoran. Mata Nui has become a Matoran, and the Matoran themselves are all asleep, while Mata Nui remains awake trying to awaken them once more.

Alright, so the flashback ends, and we shift forward. Nga-ro awakens on the floor of the Great Temple. He has remembered his past, and suddenly he sees a star in the sky above him:

Because there was a light. There above him. A speck. A single point of white. His eyes strained, eyes that had been unused for so many millennia. It was almost too painful to look.

But he did not close his eyes. Suddenly it resolved, and all became clear. It was a light, far, far above him, immeasurably far away. A star, a single star in all that blackness of night. How could he see it?

The roof of the Great Temple was broken. He could see the outline where the stones had fallen in. Just enough for him to glimpse the sky. After all this time, one tiny point of light…a single star.

He knew that star.


Mata Nui has found Spherus Magna (his “guiding star”) once again.

There was the Symbol again, the constant reminder of his duty.


The concept of Mata Nui’s duty comes up once again. This “constant reminder” harkens back to the passage:

But what of his destination? That must be where the end would come. Yes, he remembered something about it. It drew him...as if someone had written its pattern upon his mind. And no matter how long he lived or how far he went, it was always there, pushing at him, prodding him, as if to say, Make it right.


The fact that the Symbol is actually a map of the Spherus Magna system, and that it is actually physically carved into the MU by the Blade Burrowers is, I admit, a really obtuse piece of trivia. Sorry.

He placed his hand upon the middle of the three circles, flattened his palm. Words came to him, words that he had spoken in the time when time still ran true and straight. Words that he had spoken to his people when he had found his way back from the darkness of sleep and death.

Who am I? he had asked. Who indeed? Shading his eyes as he had stumbled from the entrance to the Great Temple, dazed, confused. Limited. He had not lived within a body so small before…


This is the clarifying passage I noted above. Maybe it’s not so clarifying...Anyways, after regaining physical form (“finding his way back”), Mata Nui “stumbled from the entrance to the Great Temple.” He is disoriented: “...dazed, confused. Limited. He had not lived within a body so small before...” (hint hint!). He asks the Matoran a question: “Who am I?”

And what had they answered? What had they said to him when they turned their faces upon him, faces filled with fear as the light of their universe faded? What had they said when they saw the light of his eyes and knew him?


Basically a clarification of the situation. The Matoran recognize him as the Great Spirit, as their universe continues to crumble. The answer to his question is given a bit later, at the climax of the story, where it is revealed that Nga-ro is Mata Nui. Mata Nui then reawakens the universe, and continues on toward Spherus Magna.

And I think that should cover it. If you got this far, you're a trooper. I appreciate your time. Hopefully, this has made "The End" just slightly less cryptic and bizarre of a story to read. If so, success.

Glad I got that off my chest.

JRRT



Read Full Entry →
0 Comments

Photo

It's New

Posted by Tolkien , in Writing??, Life, BZPower, Bionicle Jun 02 2012 · 159 views
once whole, short story
Hi. Remember that story I mentioned in the last entry?

There it is. Title: "Once Whole."

Any and all comments/critiques are welcome.

Regarding the Flash Fiction Marathon (which is still ongoing, btw--enter here or vote here), I'm excited to see such a large influx of entries for this contest. Over 20 in just the first round! Go BZP library-folks.

Also, 'tis (edit: 'twas) my birthday. Thanks for the well-wishings people.

JRRT



Read Full Entry →
2 Comments

Photo

The End

Posted by Tolkien , in Bionicle, Writing?? Dec 31 2011 · 57 views
symbolism?!, new years and 1 more...

THE END


A new Short Story. Thought I'd squeeze one more in before the end of the year. Get it? Heh...

No seriously, a bit of background: This began as an exercise in description, using as a basis a character who was blind. Interesting things transpired, and eventually I realized that the direction of the story was actually quite applicable to this time of year--that is, New Years. Endings and all that. Honestly, I think this is one of the stranger stories that I've written. It's another alternate universe concept, and hopefully the vital differences between this universe and the main Bionicle universe aren't too obscured. I wanted to leave things a bit of a mystery, in the end.

Hope you like it, folks. I appreciate any and all comments. See you next year.

JRRT



Read Full Entry →
0 Comments

Photo

Windows Through The Void - A Serial

Posted by Tolkien , in Bionicle, Windows Through the Void, Writing?? Dec 16 2011 · 61 views
serial, epic, takanuva, wttv1

“Go.”


The voice echoed in the dry air of the chamber. Helryx’s voice was terse, thick with urgency. She stepped forward and pressed something into his hand. It was the gnomon—a piece of the ancient sundial he had unlocked. What did it mean? He could not say.

Takanuva glanced to his left. The Silent Toa still stood motionless, his eyes grim. Krakua was a strange Toa, Takanuva thought; but, of the three beings which surrounded him in this dim chamber, he trusted him the most.

Krakua nodded, his voice echoing in Takanuva’s mind: “Go.”

The other being was there too: Brutaka, the traitor, the one whom they said had despaired, once.

“Once condemned, but now redeemed,” Helryx had said. The scarred mask upon Brutaka’s face flickered with a dangerous light. The Olmak was perilous. A thing that could open doors…gateways.

Windows through the Void.

There was nothing for it now. No other task, no other cause.

No other duty.

“Go!”

Takanuva faced forward now, steeling his nerves, eyes wide against the terrible light of what loomed before him.

The portal gaped.

He stepped forward.



Windows Through the Void


- A serial -


Main Topic : Review Topic


Okay, after a brief delay caused by the awesomeness of LEGO LotR, here is an official blog entry for this epic. This story is meant to mirror the Bioniclestory.com serials of the past, taking especial inspiration from "Takanuva's Blog," in which the various travels of Takanuva on his way to Karda Nui were described.

Each entry will be posted in the main topic, but I will also add a corresponding update to this blog, featuring a portion of the entry (not the whole thing, of course) and a link to the new post. Why is this? Visibility, mainly. And also so that a record of the serial is preserved as a category in this blog. At the time of writing this, I have enough material for every-other-week updates for the next couple of months, meaning that this'll last a while.

As always, your comments and criticism are very welcome, but, above all, your readership is most appreciated. Stay tuned.

JRRT



Read Full Entry →
0 Comments

Photo

The World Is Changed

Posted by Tolkien , in LEGO, Tolkien Mythos, Bionicle Dec 16 2011 · 81 views
LEGO, LotR and 2 more...
Well, I was going to post about the new serial/epic I posted. But something came up. Something much more important. Something near and dear to my heart.

Yes, LEGO is doing LotR/the Hobbit.

I have waited 10+ years for this. I was waiting for this long before Bionicle even existed, and it has finally, finally happened. Ah, memories of building Gandalf and the Balrog at Khazad Dûm...I confess, I haven't bought System LEGO sets for a long time. Like, maybe seven or so years, but if there was anything that could get me back into buying System, it was LotR. Words can hardly express my excitement, so punctuation will have to do.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JRRT



Read Full Entry →
1 Comments

Photo

About That Short Story...

Posted by Tolkien , in Writing??, Bionicle Nov 28 2011 · 58 views
SSC8, Short Stories Contest 8 and 1 more...

Hehey, remember that Short Stories contest? The eighth one? Yeah, yeah, that's it. Well, there's this one entry--I don't know if you've read it before--but it's still out there, floating around, and I just thought, you know, if you were interested in taking some time, you might, like, think about sending a comment its way. Maybe.


I actually think that the guy who wrote it would appreciate it. Really I do.


What? Did he ask me to ask you?


No no...I came up with this on my own.


Honest.


----


The Coming of the Toa


SSC8 entry.


Shameless plug.


JRRT





Read Full Entry →
1 Comments

Photo

The Thanksgiving Entry

Posted by Tolkien , in Bionicle, Holidays, Long Entries, Life Nov 24 2011 · 57 views
Thanksgiving, Bionicle and 1 more...
Hey people.

Today is Thanksgiving, and I was trying to think up something to post that would be somehow related to that event. In doing the aforementioned thinking-up, I remembered that two years ago wasn't just any Thanksgiving--it was also the announcement of Bionicle's end. Hmmm, didn't I write something about that before? Yeah, yeah I did, and it still seems appropriate now. So here it is again, from 2009's Thanksgiving-related entry, All Things Come to an End:


As a fan who was there at the beginning, who watched the dawn of Bionicle and reveled in its mythic light, I can say that I am fully satisfied as it comes to an end. Bionicle has had a long and excellent run, and its tenth anniversary is a fitting time to bring things to a close. I look back over the entirety of the universe that Lego has created for us, and I can say that all the little things that irked me in the past cannot shine as bright as the things that enthralled and inspired me.

There was a time when I spent a great deal of effort and energy raging against the great problems and failures and mistakes that I perceived in the storyline of Bionicle. It bugged me. I wrote books of mental criticism in my head about how the storyline should have happened, how it could have been done better, how the magic of the first years of Bionicle could have been preserved! But no! The story team was too callous--they didn't listen. It was all ruined, and I had to just move on.

But as time passed, I realized that all these things that had built up ultimately did not matter. They didn't take away from the underlying themes that drew me to Bionicle and kept me there. In fact, they were mostly all superficial, and even if they were a part of the "official" storyline, they didn't have to be a part of my imagination. That is what has kept me an avid fan for nearly a decade--the fact that, as a fan, I don't have to follow the canon absolutely. This is a pretty simplistic idea, that one can simply ignore those elements of the storyline that one dislikes. But the thing that truly brought this home to me was the realization that the "foundations" of Bionicle that I love were not touched by these "bad things", even if I don't ignore them.

The themes are still there. The same themes of Good vs. Evil, the same cosmic struggle of powers, the same inner struggle within an individual: to give in to the flawed evil within us all, or to follow Morality.
And, most importantly: the struggle to regain the good that was lost through deception. The Toa strive to awaken their Great Spirit and return their microscosmic universe to its original, if flawed, state and purpose, while in the macrocosmic universe Mata Nui must ultimately seek to repair Paradise: Spherus Magna.

What is the reason for pointing out these things? Perhaps simply to illustrate why I am not one of those fans who will inevitably say "Oh, I'm glad it's finally over." Those who have been jaded by all the "problems" that they perceive. Honestly, I've seen enough of that tripe written here, and it annoys me to no end. As if the people who say such things are so high up on their pedestals as to look down on the thing that they enjoyed so immensely in the past and say "Good riddance!" Really? Is that really what you want? How pathetic. What is your motivation?  I don't deny that there are certainly missed opportunities galore in the Bionicle storyline, but these pale in comparison to the bigger picture.

But enough of that. The real reason for this entry was to look back over the entire body of the Bionicle storyline and remember all the aspects that attracted me at the beginning, and to marvel at how I will remember the good far longer than any of the bad. It is remarkable that the truly mythological elements--that mysterious atmosphere that drew me and so many other fans to the line in the first place--is ultimately preserved if one goes over the storyline in summary form, perhaps because that feeling was never actually gone. I suppose it's also fitting, then that this announcement (and thus, this entry) comes at Thanksgiving.

Thanks, Bionicle. Thanks for a decade of memories. I'm glad I'm still here, here at the end of all things...




...Sorry, I just couldn't resist.



Thanks (!) for reading. I know I know, re-quoting an old entry is pretty much the laziest thing ever, but I think it works here. And I still have a lot of important eating to do, so I couldn't spend that much time on this. We good? Good.

JRRT



Read Full Entry →
1 Comments

Photo

= A Matoran Dictionary: Volume I, A - L =

Posted by Tolkien , in Matoran Language, Language and Etymology, Bionicle Apr 22 2011 · 353 views
matoran language
[Bump'd, 4/21/11. Because I wanted to. So there.]

[Wouldn't you know it: I go to add new material to this, and it tells me I've reached the limit for a blog entry. So be it. I've thus split this "dictionary" into two "volumes" (because "volume" just sounds so much more important).
In terms of describing the content of this "update": I've added around 120-130 new entries in all, in addition to modifying and revising older entries. Most of the words have to do with plants, landforms, colors, and the Matoran body. So enjoy, if you will. I know I did.]


=ll=

A Dictionary and Etymology of the Matoran Language

=l Volume I l=

As inscribed by the Scholar Ihu of the Knowledge Tower Oroko in Ko-Metru in the Great City of Metru Nui.

This record being written in the ninth century of the Golden Age of Metru Nui:  the year 79908 since the Beginning and the Time of the Great Beings.

Prefatory Notes:
The organization of this dictionary is according to the order of the first letter of the Matoran word, in the sequence in which these letters appear in the Alphabet of the Matoran. Thus Volume I begins with those words which start with A and continues until L, while Volume II begins with M and continues to Z.
Each entry gives a description of the basic meaning and classification of a word, followed by a more thorough explanation of the word's usage, as well as its etymological history, form, and development. Those words whose etymologies are uncertain are labeled as such.

-A-

aan,  n. being, individual [etymology uncertain; also used as the name for the letter a]
aavel¹, n. brightness, shining [Derived from the elemental word avo "elemental light"; it originates from an ancient stem modification involving the suffix -li and the reduplication of the stem vowel as a prefix, forming the hypothetical form *aavoli, eventually to aaveli, with usual vowel change of o > e and eventual loss of -i, finally becoming aavel]
aavel², adj. bright, shining, luminous [Originates as an adjectival form of the noun aavel¹ (see entry); used frequently in compounds]
aka,  n. power, ability [An independent augmented form of the original element ka (see entry ka)]
akaku,  n. cmpnd. the power of vision [From the elements aka "power, ability" and aku "sight, vision"]
aki,  n.  courage, bravery, ambition; (honorific) leader, lord [Historically a conjunction of the semantic suffix -ak, at the time meaning something like "active" or "intensified" (although now it has come to have negative connotations), and the general nounal suffix -i; basically synonomous with the term tai (see entry)]
aku,  n. sight, vision
akuavo, n. sun, star; title of one of the twin suns of Metru Nui [Originates as a conjunction of the ancient elemental stem avoi "light" and the term aku "sight, vision". The word's usage as a title for one of the twin suns in the city of Metru Nui is probably historically based upon the fact that vision is given through light (as in the light of the eyes of the Matoran), and more colloquially upon the idea that the twin suns somehow represent the "eyes of Mata Nui", an idea which is afforded very little credence by the educated community]
akuhii, n.  lit. things of sight; eye(s) [Formed from the elements aku "sight" and the suffix -hii "thing, object, place"]
amahti, n. hand, grip; lit. "thing that holds, grips" [From the modified stem (a)mat "hold, grip, contain" with addition of the suffix -hii "thing, object, place"]
amakii, n. finger; lit. "part of hand/grip" [From the modified stem (a)mat "hold, grip, contain" with addition of the suffix -ki(i) "part/piece of"]
amakii-ovo, n. cmpnd. fingertip [A compound formed from the elements amakii "finger" and -ovo "end, finish"]
apalikavo, n. cmpnd.  lit. light-power in hardness; lightstone [Originates from the archaic word apali "hardness, rigidity" (see entry opoli) and the compound form kaavo "light power/energy"(from the elements ka "energy" and avo "elemental light")]  
arratu, n. resonating musical instrument [From the word coinage artra (see entry) with addition of the nounal suffix -tu, denoting a thing or concept that embodies the stem meaning]
arta, n. refuge, haven
arti, n. prison; banishment
ar(t)ra, n. echo, resonance [From a word coinage artra, based on a reversible syllable structure meant to reflect the sound of an echo; variants include eastern ardra, ardro and southern arthra, arthro]
ar(t)rau, adj. echoing, resonant [From the word coinage artra (see entry) with addition of the adjectival suffix -u]  
aso, n. sand [Derived from the stem aes "sand, gravel, dirt" with addition of the suffix -o denoting a substance or physical concept; also appears as a variant form aswe with alternate suffix -we]
aso-mahri, n. cmpnd. sea-shore, beach [Formed from the elements aso "sand" and mahri "ocean, sea"; also see synonymous entry asorho]
asorho, n. beach; lit. "sand-shore" [Formed from the element aso "sand" and the suffix/prefix rho "line, edge"; also see synonymous entry aso-mahri]
aswe; see entry aso
atu,  n. mind, will [etymology uncertain; it appears that the word atu may have diverged from the ancient stem maet "mind, thought" at a very early point. In meaning it refers specifically to the Will of an individual, as distinct from thought or intellect (ideas associated with the similar term metye (see entry))]
atuma, v.  to think, consider [Formed from the element atu "mind, thought, will" with addition of the verbal suffix -ma]
avaku, n. sun, star; title of one of the twin suns of Metru Nui [Originates as a conjunction of the ancient elemental prefix av(o)- "light" and the term aku "sight, vision"; also see entry akuavo for further discussion of origin and usage]
avenerui, n. lightvine [Originates as a conjunction of the ancient elemental prefix av(o)- "light" and the term enerui "vine, creeper"]
avo(h),  n. elemental light [Originally avoi, still attested in some rare cases; also found as the adjectival prefixes av- and avo-]
av(o)ta, n. (a) light, torch [From the elemental word avo "elemental light" with addition of the nounal suffix -ta, denoting a concept or thing that embodies the stem meaning]

-B-

barra, n. war, conflict
Barraki, n. cmpnd. lit. war-leader; (honorific) Warlord [From the elements barra "war, conflict" and aki "leader, lord" (see entries)]
bohye, n. vigilance, watchfulness [From the ancient stem bo "vigilance, watchfulness" with addition of the nounal suffix -hye, denoting a general universal concept; also realized simply as boh]
bora, n. watcher, guard [From the ancient stem bo "vigilance, watchfulness" with addition of the agental suffix -ra]

-D-

daika, n. note, music [Originally a compound of the ancient stem dae (an augmented form of the elemental word dei "elemental sound") and the element ka "creative power" with development of the diphthong ae > ai]
deh, n. elemental sound [Originally dei, still attested in some rare cases; also found as the adjectival prefix de-]
dema, v. to make noise/sound (base-stem) [From the stem deh "elemental sound" (older dei) with addition of the general verbal suffix -ma]
deta, n.  voice, mouth [From the elemental word deh "elemental sound" (older dei) with addition of the suffix -ta, denoting a thing or concept that embodies the stem meaning]
detarui n. cmpnd. jaw; lit. "joint of mouth" [Composed of the elements deta "mouth" and -rui "joint" (see entry)]
dika¹, n. whistle, tune; rahi-noise, cry [A further progression from the term daika "note, music" (see entry) with development of the original diphthong ae > ai > i]
dika², n. rahi, beast [Developed from the similar dika¹, meaning "whistle" or "tune", but more importantly "rahi-noise, cry" (see entry), eventually embodying the concept of a beast or a thing that makes rahi-noises; also found as diika]

-E-

edrai, v. to control, rule (ai-stem, e-declens.) [Derived historically from the ya-stem verb terya "to influence, persuade" (see entry; originally from the obscure ancient word form ter(e)n "guidance, direction, purpose") with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned fully outward (tereya > eterai > etrai > edrai)  
ehel, n.  flow, course, current [Historically from elemental word gae; it derives from an ancient stem modification involving the suffix -li and the reduplication of the stem vowel as a prefix, forming the hypothetical form *agali, eventually to egeli, with usual vowel change of a > e and loss of -i, finally becoming ehel (with eventual weakening of intervocalic g)]
ekama,  v. to move (something); to send (away) (base-stem, e-declens.) [Derived from the base-stem verb kama "to move" with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned outward]
ekurma, v. to anger, enrage (base-stem, e-declens.) [Derived from the base-stem verb kurma "to rage, be angry" with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned outward]
elesma, v. to listen; eavesdrop (base-stem, e-declens.) [Derived from the base-stem verb lesma "to hear" (see entry) with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned outward]
emaima, v. to lift, raise (base-stem, e-declens.) [Derived from the base-stem verb maima "to rise" (see entry) with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned outward]
ematya, v. to take, possess (ya-stem, e-declens.) [Derived from the ya-stem matya "to master, use" with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned outward]
eneh, n. stem [Derived from the ancient elemental stem nei "elemental plant-life" (modern neh)]
eneh-palnehu, n. cmpnd. bamboo, tree-trunk; lit. "woody-stem" [Composed of the noun eneh "stem" and the adjective palnehu "woody"]
enerui, n. cmpnd. vine, creeper; lit. "jointed stem" [Composed of the elements eneh "stem" and -rui "joint" (see entry)]
eterma, v. to plan, arrange (base-stem, e-declens.) [Derived historically from the base-stem verb terma "to guide" with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned fully outward]
ezai,  v.  to attack, strike at (ai-stem, e-declens.) [Supplanted older archaic zya; originally from the same root zaa "violence, retribution" with addition of the prefix e-, denoting that the action is turned outward, along with the verbal suffix -ya, forming the hypothetical *ezaaya > *ezaai > ezai]

-F/PH -

fanne, n.  sky; ceiling, roof
phantoka, n. cmpnd (archaic) lit. spirits of the sky; birds, flying things [From the older element phane "sky" (see modern fanne) and -tika "spirit, form, shape" with alteration of -tika to -toka in accordance with historical vowel pattern a-o-a]

-G-

gah,  n.  elemental water [Also has connotations of peace, purity, and serenity; Originally gae, still attested in some rare cases; also found as the adjectival prefix ga-]
gahre, n.  weight, mass, importance [From older garahye, originally from the ancient stem gar(a), with addition of the suffix -hye, denoting a generally universal concept; also attested as garye]
galinyohi, n. cmpnd. jungle; lit. "wet-forest" [Composed of the elements gal- "wet" and inyohi "forest"; also found as galinyo-wahi]
galinyo-wahi; see entry galinyohi
galno; see entry galnu
galnu, n. mud, swampy earth [Contracted from an older compound gal-onu "wet earth"; also found as a variant galno]
galonuhi n. swamp; lit. "watery earth" [Derived from the older compound gal-onu with addition of the nounal suffix -hii "thing, place"]
galonu-wahi; see entry galonuhi
garai, v. 1 (phys.) to weigh  2 (meta.) to consider, weigh, ponder [From the ancient stem gar(a) with original addition of the verbal suffix -ya (garaya > garai)]
garye; see entry gahre
gauru, adj.  discordant, conflicting; separate [Probably derived from an intermediary term *gauur (elemental gah and suffix -uur, see entry guur) with adjectival suffix -u]
gea(-o), adj. blue [Originally from an augmented form of gae "elemental water" with addition of the usual adjectival color-suffix -o]
gehel,  n.  river, stream [Contracted from the original compound ga-ehel "flow, current of water" (see entry ehel)]
graal, n.  rahi bear; Ash Bear [Originally an onomatopoeic word symbolizing the roar of the Ash Bear]
gukko, n.  rahi bird species [The term is a southern dialectal form of the original word goko (still used in some dialects), which was historically gokua; goko is used to define a specific species of rahi bird, including the kahu, kewa (or goko-kahu) and taku and originates as a compound of the onomatopoeic word goh (imitating the call of the kahu subspecies) and the element kua "flying thing" (related to stem kua "free, free-flowing, flying")]
guur,  n. discord, fragmentation, separation [A perversion of the elemental word gae with addition of the negative suffix -uur]

-H-

hah, adj. calm, peaceful [From the stem hah "peace, calm, safety"]
hahu, adj. calm, peaceful [From the stem hah "peace, calm, safety" with addition of the general adjectival suffix -u]
hara n. rope; flax [etymology uncertain; may be descended from a hypothetical stem *haar(a) "fiber, weave"]
harakeke, n. cmpnd. lit. "flax-bush" or "rope-bush" [Composed of the elements hara "flax, rope" and keke "bush, shrub"]
hau, adj.  defending, protecting; used as the name of the Kanohi Mask of Shielding [Originates from the ancient stem haa (also attested as hoh) "protection, defense" with addition of the adjectival suffix -u, denoting an "active" or "outwardly focused" meaning]
haye, peace, security, calm [From the stem hah "peace, calm, safety" with addition of the nounal suffix -hye, denoting a universal concept]
hoi, n.  shield, protecting thing [Originally hohii, from the ancient stem hoh "protection, defense" with addition of the suffix -hii "thing". Originally used in reference to the protective Kanohi shell of the Hoi Turtle, the first of which were actually Kanohi Hau (to which the word hoi is etymologically related)]

-I-

ihnenu, n. tall/high grass [Formed from a conjunction of the elements iih "high, high up" and nenu "grass"]
ihneye, n. tree [Formed from a conjunction of the elements iih "high, high up" and neye "plant"; also found as contracted forms inye, inyo (see entries)]
i(h)no; see entry ihnu
ihnu, n. hill/mound [Formed from the conjunction of the elements iih "height, high up" and (o)nu "elemental earth"; also attested as later forms ihno and ino]
iihe, n.  high place; mountain-top [From the stem iih "height, high up" and the suffix -hii with alteration of -hii to -he due to the presence of preceding long i in the stem; also see related entries iiho and iiho-nuyo]
iiho, n. peak, crest [From the stem iih "height, high up" with the nounal suffix -o, denoting a physical concept; also see related entries iihe and iiho-nuyo]
iiho-nuyo, n. cmpnd.  mountain peak, crest [Composed of the elements iiho "peak, crest" and nuyo "mountain"; also see related entries iihe and iiho]
iiho-yehonu, n. cmpnd. ridge [Composed of the elements iiho "peak, crest" and yehonu "slope, incline"]
iihu, n.  high, far-seeing; wise, transcending (as a proper noun) [From the stem iih "height, high up" with addition of the adjectival suffix -u]
ik(i),  adj.  high, tall; happy [A Le-Matoran dialectal convention derived from the stem iih "high up"; also found as ikh(i) and ih(i)]
Inai(tea), n. the Red Star [From the stem inaeh "star", along with the adjectival tea-o "red, fiery"; also attested as Initeo]
ini,  n. star [Historically inaeh or iniih]
inihe,  n. lit. star-places, the heavens [Formed from the modified stem iniih "star" (descended from an earlier inaeh) and the suffix -hii with alteration of -hii to -he due to the presence of a preceding (historically) long i in the stem.]
inika,  n. cmpnd. lit. star-energy/power, energy of a star [Formed from the elements ini "star" and ka "power, energy"]
ino-nui, n. cmpnd mountain [Composed of the noun ino "hill, mound" (from ihno) and the adjective nui "great, mighty, vast". Synonyms: (o)nuiwe, (o)nuyo]
inye n. tree [Contracted from the older ihneye "tree"; also found as a variant inyo]
inyo; see entries ihneye, inye
inyo-galnu swamp tree
inyohi n. forest, wood [A more modern term derived from the word inyo "tree" (itself contracted originally from the earlier ihneye) with addition of the nounal suffix -hii "thing, place"; also found as a variant compound inyo-wahi]
inyo-wahi; see entry inyohi

-J-

jaga, n.  rahi scorpion
johve, n.  subtlety, cleverness [From older jovohye, originally from the ancient stem jov(o), with addition of the suffix -hye, denoting a generally universal concept; also attested as jovye]
jota, n.  detail, complexity [Originally from the ancient stem jov(o) with addition of the suffix -ta, denoting a thing or concept that embodies the stem meaning]
jovye; see entry johve
jutma, v.  to collapse, decay

-K-

ka,  n. power, energy; ability, (creative) potential [Theoretically is may have developed from a form *kae; also spelled cah or ca (using the old orthographic c); also realized as aka, akha, kan, kar, kha(r ) and in very rare cases as the prefix gah- (separate from the elemental ga-)]
kaatu, n. color [Derived from a hypothetical root *kaa "energy, light, color" (related to ancient stem *kae) with addition of the abstract nounal suffix -tu]
kaatuhi, n. flower [Derived from the word kaatu "color" with addition of the suffix -hii "thing, object"]
kai, n.  skill, talent, ability [An augmented form of ka "power, ability, potential" (see entry) with addition of general abstract suffix -i]
kaihe, n.  Unity [Developed from the older compound form ka "energy, potential", the adjectival form yi "together, combined", and the nounal suffix -hye, denoting a universal concept; also see analogous entry kaita]
kai-o, adj. colorful [Originally from an augmented form of ka "power, energy, light" with addition of the usual adjectival color-suffix -o]
kaita, n.  lit. potential combined/together; unity [Developed from the older compound form kayita, which is composed of the elements ka "energy, potential", the adjectival form yi "together, combined", and the abstract, nounal suffix -ta; also see analogous entry kaihe]
kama¹, v. to move [From the element ka "energy, potential" with addition of the general verbal suffix -ma]
kama², n. motion, speed [Originates as an abstract nounal form of the verb kama¹ (see entry)]
kan; see entry ka
kane,  n. energy, passion; rahi bull [This term has come to be associated principally with the species of rahi-bull; kane  "power, energy, passion" is formed of the element kan "power, energy" and the general nounal suffix -e]
Kane-ra, n. cmpnd. wild bull [Used to describe the Kane-ra species of bull; it is formed of the word kane "bull" (see entry) and the term ra "wild" used here as a type of adjectival compound]
kano,  n. mask [Used as an alternate term for kanohi; the term kano originated as a craft-word used by those of the mask-making profession and only passed into common use after the origination of the kanoka disks, in which word it is used (see entry kanoka for further historical notes)]  
kanohi,  n. cmpnd.  mask of power [Formed from the word nohi "face, mask" and the element ka "power, ability"]
kanoka,  n. cmpnd.  disk of power [The etymology of this term is rather complex. When the first of the disks of power, from which Kanohi masks are more easily forged, were created, the Scholars decided upon the term kanoka by considering the history of the word kanohi, since the two objects—disk and mask—are closely related. Kanohi comes originally from nohi, which means both "face" and "mask". And nohi, in turn, derives from its ancient form noihii, made up of the elements -hii "thing, object" and noi, the elemental word for the substance of Protodermis. The Scholars chose to form a new word—noka—from the elements noi and ka "power" to define the concept of the disks, which, in essence, utilize the power of Protodermis, and they made the further addition of the element ka to better distinguish the Disks of Power as unique. Thus, the term kanoka was formed and has since passed entirely into common use.]
kar; see entry ka
kara; see entry kharra
karahe, adj.  passionate, rash, reckless; unstable [From the compound element ka-ra (ka "energy", ra "wild, untamed") and the adjectival suffix -he "having"]
karda,  n. heart, core, engine [From the element kar "energy, power" (see entry ka) and the suffix -ta, denoting a concept or thing that embodies the meaning of the stem, with eventual assimilation of t > d, due to the preceding r]
kau, n.  breath [From the element kau "breathing, free-flowing"]
kea,  n. rahi shark
keke, n. bush, shrub [etymology uncertain]
kha(r ); see entry ka
kharma, v.  to make, form [Originally from the element khar "energy, ability, potential" with addition of the verbal suffix -ma]
kharra, n.  maker, builder, shaper [Formed from the element khar "energy, ability, potential" and the agental suffix -ra; also attested in a simplified form kara]
kh(i)ye, n.  that/the place, thence [A grammatical function word. It originates historically from a conjunction of the suffixes -hii "place" and -hye "abstract concept", forming the hypothetical compound *hiihye, which was then later contracted and strengthened to khiye]
kini,  n. temple
koh,  n. elemental ice [Also has connotations of sternness, and severity, as well as silence, calm, and composure; originally koi, still attested in some rare cases; also found as the adjectival prefix ko-]
koro, n. village, town; walled city  [Originally from a stem (o)kor "wall, barrier, landform", which is derived from an older hypothetical form *kaer "hinder, repulse" under influence of a coeval stem rho(k) "boundary, ring, edge". The term has gradually shifted its meaning from "wall, barrier" to a "walled city" and thence to "village, town"; see related entry korwe]
korwe, n. wall, barrier [Originally from a stem (o)kor "wall, barrier, landform" (see entry koro for full etymology) with addition of the nounal suffix -we "substance, physical concept"]
korwe-mahri, n. cmpnd. sea cliff [Composed of elements korwe "wall, barrier[/i] and mahri "sea, ocean"]
kou adv. external, outside; around [etymology uncertain]
koyo, adj. white [Originally from an augmented form of koi "elemental ice" with addition of the usual adjectival color-suffix -o]
kraah, n. elemental shadow [Originally krae; also found as the adjectival prefix kraa-]]
kraahkan, n. cmpnd. power/energy of shadow [From the elements kraah "elemental shadow" and kan "energy, power"]
kraata, n. cmpnd  the will of shadow [Formed from the elements kraah "elemental shadow" and atu "will, mind, thought", with eventual assimilation of final -u to -a]
kua, n.  bird, flying thing; liberty, independence
ku-amahi, n. cmpnd. palm; lit. "mid-palm" [Composed of the initial element (u)ku "middle, half" (modified from an older stem keu(n)) and the form amahi, contracted from amahti "hand" (see entry)]
ku-ino, n. cmpnd valley; lit. "between hills" [Composed of the initial element (u)ku "middle, half" (modified from an older stem keu(n)) and the form ino "hill" a variant of ihno (see entry)]
ku-mirehe, n. cmpnd. elbow; lit. "mid-arm" [Composed of the initial element (u)ku "middle, half" (modified from an older stem keu(n)) and the word [i]mirehe[/i] "arm" (see entry)]
ku-noiwe, [i]n. cmpnd.[/i] see entry [i]ku-noyo[/i]
ku-noyo, [i]n. cmpnd.[/i] waist, lit. "mid-body" [Composed of the initial element [i](u)ku[/i] "middle, half" (modified from an older stem [i]keu(n)[/i]) and the word [i]noyo[/i] "body" (see entry); also appears as a variant form [i]ku-noiwe[/i]]
kuta,  [i]n.[/i] knowledge
kur, [i]n.[/i]  anger, rage [A perversion of the elemental word [i]koi[/i] with addition of the negative suffix [i]-uur[/i]]
kurma, [i]v.[/i] to rage, be angry (base-stem) [From the stem [i]kur[/i] "anger, rage" with addition of the general verbal suffix [i]-ma[/i]]
ku-warehe, [i]n. cmpnd.[/i] knee; lit. "mid-leg" [Composed of the initial element [i](u)ku[/i] "middle, half" (modified from an older stem [i]keu(n)[/i]) and the word [i]warehe[/i] "leg" (see entry)]

-L-

leh, [i]n.[/i] elemental air [Originally [i]lei[/i], still attested in some rare cases; also found as the adjectival prefix [i]le-[/i]]
ler, [i]n.[/i] acid, poison; sickness, illness [A perversion of the elemental word [i]lei[/i] with addition of the negative suffix [i]-uur[/i]; also found as [i]luur[/i]]
leru, [i]adj.[/i] acidic [From the stem [i]ler[/i] with addition of the general adjectival suffix [i]-u[/i]]
lehel, [i]n.[/i] wind, breeze, wind current [Contracted from the original compound [i]le-ehel[/i] "flow, current of air" (see entry [i]ehel[/i]); synonymous with the later term [i]lehelye[/i] (see entry)]
lehelye; see entry [i]lehel[/i] [A synonymous term for "wind, breeze" derived from [i]lehel[/i] with the abstract nounal suffix [i]-hye[/i]]
leo, [i]adj.[/i] green [Originally from an augmented form of [i]lei[/i] "elemental air" with addition of the usual adjectival color-suffix [i]-o[/i]; also found as [i]ly[/i] in southern dialects (with shift of diphthong [i]eo > y[/i]]
lesma, [i]v.[/i] to hear (base-stem) [From the verbal stem [i]les[/i] "hear" (from [i]lus[/i], older [i]lues[/i]) with addition of the general verbal suffix [i]-ma[/i]]
lhihke, [i]n.[/i] righteousness, virtue, honor [From the stem [i]lhi(k)[/i] "virtue, justice" with addition of the nounal suffix [i]-hye[/i] ([i]lhihkye > lhihke[/i])]  
lhii, [i]adj.[/i] virtuous, right, honorable [From the stem [i]lhi(k)[/i] "virtue, justice" with addition of the adjectival suffix [i]-ii[/i]; also found as [i]hli[/i] in some compounds and as a feature of Le-Matoran dialects (see entry)]
lhikhe, [i]n.[/i] just, fair [From the stem [i]lhi(k)[/i] "virtue, justice" with addition of the adjectival suffix [i]-he[/i]]
lusak, [i]n.[/i] deafness [A more colloquial word used to describe deafness that is unnatural or was caused by something and has negative results; originates from the stem [i]lus[/i] "hearing" (older [i]lues[/i]) with addition of the negative suffix [i]-ak[/i]; common southern dialect forms include [i]lesek[/i] (with common alteration of [i]-ak[/i] to [i]-ek[/i]) and shorter [i]lesk[/i] ([i]lek[/i] in compounds or names); also see entry [i]lusuur[/i]]
lusse, [i]n.[/i]  listening, hearing [From the stem [i]lus[/i] "hearing" (older [i]lues[/i]) with addition of the general abstract suffix [i]-e[/i]]
lusta, [i]n.[/i] ear [From the stem [i]lus[/i] "hearing" (older [i]lues[/i]) with addition of the suffix [i]-ta[/i], denoting a thing or concept that embodies the stem meaning]
lusuur, [i]n.[/i] deafness [From the stem [i]lus[/i] "hearing" (older [i]lues[/i]) with addition of the negative suffix [i]-uur[/i]; primarily used as a scientific or medical term; also see entry [i]lusak[/i]]

Here ends Volume I. Volume II continues with entries M-Z.

JRRT



Read Full Entry →
8 Comments





Chapter I

Posted Image


=ll=


"Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a blog-hole, and that means comfort."

=ll=

A Short Bio of the...Author?

=ll=

The author of this blog currently resides in the rather dry, bare, sandy climate of the southwest United States. He is currently taking a break from school, having completed an M.A. in English Linguistics, and looks forward to starting a PhD. in the near future.

His primary interests include such -ologies as mythology, philology, etymology, syntax, and phonology, along with a healthy passion for historical linguistics binding all these bewildering fields together. Some less academic hobbies include reading classical literature and mythology, high and epic fantasy, science fiction, and the occasional Tolkien biography, as well as attempting (and mostly failing) to write fiction modeled after these genres. His taste in music ranges from classical arrangements to modern film scores (especially when there is not much difference between the two).

In addition to these things, he also harbors the deep-set enjoyment of the Bionicle sets and storyline essential to any hapless LEGO geek who has made the decision to become a member of the BZPower community. Without it, he obviously wouldn't be here writing this, and you wouldn't be reading it. This fact is, in part, what inspired his lasting interest in the art of pixeling, a skill that he apparently isn't all that bad at, although you might never know it, seeing as his severe lack of motivation and excess of procrastination usually prevents him from producing anything much at all.
 

=l=

0 user(s) viewing

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users

Recent Comments

= Some Writings =

=ll=


Unknowledge [Review] - (Epic) Finalist in Epics Contest #7: Murder Mysteries. Unknowledge centers around the mysterious death of Toa Moihu and ensuing investigation by Toa Ros, interwoven with the quest to uncover the reality behind the dark nature of the Dedh-See Scroll. Ultimately, the truth that Ros discovers and is forced to confront may be darker than anyone could have imagined.

Judgement [Review] - (Epic) Judgement opens with a death sentence pronounced upon Toa Jor, watch-Toa of Metru Nui. It then follows the events leading up to this shocking scene, with the arrival of Toa Jovan, bearing grave news concerning the fate of the universe itself, as well as a plan to stop it.

Windows Through the Void [Review] - (Epic) Windows is a serial inspired by the old online serials of Bioniclestory.com. Serial 1 follows Takanuva, Toa of Light, as he journeys across the void to a world of dark trees and night, only to find that he must accomplish another task before his original quest can be completed.

The Time - (SS) A semi-mythic account of the origin of Avan, the first Matoran, in the Time Before Time--the Time of the Great Beings.

Despair - (SS) 1st Place winner of the 2010 Library Summer Olympics (SS category). "Despair" is a prequel to the epic Unknowledge, beginning with the arrival of a mysterious Toa in the city of Moa, deep within the Waste. His motives are unknown, as the nature of the dark Kanohi he wears. But the subsequent arrival of Toa Ros soon sets things in motion, leading up to an epic confrontation between hope and despair.

Dust - (SS) The Dark Hunter Devastator returns to Karzahni, his native land. He must find the Matoran called the Builder and retrieve a stolen tablet, but along the way his encounters with the crazed, broken Matoran and the dreaded Karzahni himself provide him with a sliver of new perspective in this land of dust and living death.

A Storm is Coming - (SS) Entrant in the (now stalled) Lesovikk's Hiatus contest. It tells the tale of Toa Lesovikk's three-day battle with a Rock Lion in a strange land where it never rains and the encounter he has there with the castaway Toa Jovan. Can Lesovikk find the strength to finish his task, or will the memories of his past defeat him? A storm is about to break.

Remember [Archive] - (SS) The Mountains of the Matoran are a strange place, but even stranger are the discoveries to be made within them. Two Agori venture deep into the heart of the mountains, and soon their plight becomes a struggle for survival as they try to escape the strange corridors of this dark place. But at the end of their journey lies a revelation more shocking than they could ever have imagined.

The Coming of the Toa - (SS) 3rd place Judges' Choice winner of Short Stories Contest #8. A glimpse into an alternate history of Bionicle, where something has gone terribly wrong. Kua seeks to discover what it is that the Matoran have lost, the darkness in their past. But can even he resist the power of the darkness that lies beneath?

The End - (SS) Nga-Ro has waited for so long in the darkness and cold of the ruined city. He has forgotten much. But now...even he must find the strength to resist the darkness of death and remember his duty. For the end has come...

The Sight - (SS) 1st place winner in the 2012 Flash Fiction Marathon (Visions Category).

The Power - (SS) 1st place winner of the 2012 Library Summer Olympics: Artistic Gymnastics Reimagine (Bionicle category).

Once Whole - (SS)

Hue #1471 - (SS)
 
Looming - (SS)
 
Static [Review] - (Co-authored Epic, OTC) Gold medalist in the 2012 Library Summer Olympics: Epics Unlimited Prompt Relay. Co-authored with Grant-Sud Rises, Velox, and Legolover-361.

Ever Up - (SS, OTC)

Long Day - (SS, OTC)
 
Beyond the Ridge of Tears - (SS, OTC)
 
The Trumpet Sounds - (SS, Blog)


=ll=

  1. BZPower Forums
  2. → Community Blog
  3. → In a hole in the ground there lived...
  4. → Bionicle
  5. Privacy Policy
  6. BZPower Rules & Guidelines ·