The Vulcan language (also known as Old Vulcan) was the language of the Vulcan people of the planet Vulcan. (TOS novelization: Star Trek: The Motion Picture)

History and specifics[]

Humans were typically known to have difficulties in reproducing Vulcan speech. (TOS novel: The Patrian Transgression)

The Vulcans of Darien 224 also spoke an archaic form of Vulcan, having been stranded away from the rest of Vulcan culture for two millenia. (EV comic: "Cloak and Dagger") The word "reshek" was a symbol within the Vulcan alphabet of which it was the third. (TOS novel: Corona) In the Vulcan language, the words for science and philosophy sprung from the same route in that both disciplines needed to be pure, logical as well as free of emotions. (TOS novel: Crisis on Vulcan)

In the modern Vulcan language, the word for idiot is derived directly from an older compound word that means "one who fails to participate in civil affairs." (TOS novel: Spock's World) It also contained no word that corresponded to "coincidence". (TOS novel: The Entropy Effect) In addition, there was no Vulcan word for comedian and thus they were forced to use the English version when referring to it. (TOS novel: The Vulcan Academy Murders)

This was evident by the fact that there was no term for joke within the Vulcan language. (TOS novel: Crisis on Vulcan)

It was also stated that there were no curse words within their tongue. (TOS novel: Dreams of the Raven)

In more antiquated Vulcan language, when emotion was still commonplace, was the sentiment, "I grieve with thee". It stated empathy and sympathy for one in turmoil, with no foreseeable answer in logic. (TOS episode: "Amok Time", TOS novel: The Return)

Dialects[]

• Ancient Vulcan (ST novel: The Return)
• High Tongue (TOS novel: Exodus)
• Modern Vulcan (TOS novel: Dwellers in the Crucible)
• Old High Vulcan (TOS novel: The Romulan Way)

Glossary[]

adronn feltara

aelaehih'bili're

Phrase that meant "mind-peace", the act of clearing one's mind from other thoughts. (TTN novel: Taking Wing)

akhra

To do with the practice of Vulcan nomenclature, the akhra name is an extended apellation that may be pronounced aloud by non-Vulcanoids. (TOS novel: Crossroad)

An-Prele

arie'mnu

arivne

A religious term expressing an equivalence between matter, energy, and thought. (TOS novel: Planet of Judgment)

ashv'cezh

Literally, "revenge worse than death". (TOS novel: Spock's World, TOS novel: Vulcan's Glory)

a'Tha

A word referring to the apparent knowledge of the Vulcan people that a higher power (i.e. God) does indeed exist. Falls under the Rule of Silences. (TOS novel: Spock's World)

Av'adeh'dna

The Vulcan equivalent of fate, Klingon Honor or Bajoran pagh. (DS9 - Day of Honor novel: Armageddon Sky)

besaya glantaya

Phrase translates as "stellar observer", name of starship Besaya Glantaya. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)

b'lltarr

bertakk

See bertakk soup.

cthia

Literally defined as "reality-truth" in Vulcan religion/philosophy, methods of emotional self-control and teachings of pacifism. The term cthia is also known simply as logic. (TOS novel: Spock's World)

c'torr

dorli fai-tukh

Phrase translates as "honored knowledge", name of starship Dorli Fai-tukh. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)

DVel'nahr

dwemish Hi-An

eiihu

Enok-Kal Fi Lar

eschak

et'Khior

fai-tukh

Application of word translates as "knowledge", as in the names of the starships Dorli Fai-tukh and Yeht Fai-Tukh. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)

fal chaya

Phrase translates as "noble endeavour", name of starship Fal Chaya. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)

farr-kahli

filrak

forati

See forati sauce.

fullara

heya

mountain. (TOS novel: Spock's World)

ihntya

kah

The Vulcan word for the draw of Pon farr. There is no Human word. (TOS novel: Planet of Judgment)

kah-if-farr

kah-if-fee

The Vulcan command to begin a marriage ceremony. (TOS novel: Planet of Judgment)

kahri-torrafeiaca

ka-ta-pak

kaiidth

Word in the Vulcan language, roughly the equivalent of "What is, is" in Federation Standard. "When one accepts what cannot be changed, one begins to think like a Vulcan." (TOS novel: Dwellers in the Crucible)

kal-toh

kalifee v'rekor

katra

katra-Ut-Bala

kleetanta

koon

Application of word translates as "challenge", as in the names of the koon-ut-kal-if-fee or the starship Tor-ut Koon. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)

koon-ut-kal-if-fee

The "marriage or challenge". (TOS episode: "Amok Time")

klee-et

Vulcan language term used at the start of certain types of combat. (TOS novel: Planet of Judgment)

klee-fah

Basically means, "let's fight." (TOS novel: Planet of Judgment)

krenath

kroykah or kroyka

Vulcan command that literally means, "stop!" or, "halt!" (TOS episode: "Amok Time")

k'vath

Enter, come, proceed. (TOS novel: The Prometheus Design)

lan-dovna

lirt'k

L-Lersa

loshiraq

A physical position, referred to as the "open posture," used by Vulcans during meditation. (TOS novel: Strangers from the Sky)

lunikkh ta-Vik

manil arek

Archaic Vulcan term that meant "swift death". Over the years, the term became distorted in the Romulan language and became known as ma'l Arik. (TOS - Vulcan's Soul novel: Epiphany)

mia-zed

ni var

Term referring to a whole composed of two parts or halves. (TOS - New Voyages 2 short story: "Ni Var")

Later used as the name of a starship Ni'Var and the re-naming of the planet Vulcan, as Ni'Var, after the Romulan reunification.

Nirak

actually a name of an ancient Vulcan soldier who stood guard over the city of Gol and failed to see an army approaching. He was allowed to live and his failure led to his name meaning "fool" in the Vulcan language. (ENT episode: "Kir'Shara")

nehau

Gut feeling, literally vibes. (TOS novel: Spock's World)

pahn-ree

Phrase translates as "pathfinder", name of starship Pahn-Ree. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)

pau

Term when translated meant "Corona". (TOS novel: Corona)

p'laaka

Term referring to places that are prone to unpredictable events. (TOS novel: Crossroad)

plak tow

"Blood fever" rage experienced during pon farr. (VOY episode: "Blood Fever")

pon farr

plomeek

See plomeek soup.

qual-se-tu

Vulcan interrogative phrase asking, "Is it thou?" Depending on the inflection, it's similar to the Latin question, "Et tu, Bruté?" (And you, Brutus?) Julius Caesar's final words. (TOS movie: The Final Frontier , novelization : Star Trek V: The Final Frontier)

s'haile

seheik

Old Vulcan word for "declared". This term was adopted by early Romulans and became djective. in their new language. (TOS novel: The Romulan Way)

shal'tiar

shali bahn

spa'ash

Vulcan word, used as a derogatory adjective. (ENT novel: Age of the Empress)

s'url

Vulcan word for a Surakian school of logic. (ST novel: Captain's Blood)

talal

Application of word translates as "truth", as in the names of the starship Yeht Talal. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)

tarul-etek

t'coraca

tela'at

terau-kashkau-veh-shetau

translated to mean "Our minds are merging, becoming one" and part of the incantation of the Dashaya-Ni'Var ritual which had not been spoken for over two thousand years by 2267. (VAN novel: Open Secrets)

tesare

than'tha

t'hy'la

Vulcan word, in the intimate context of "lover". In casual, as a dear "friend" or "brother" (TOS novelization: Star Trek: The Motion Picture)

tor-ut koon

Phrase translates as "sacred challenge", name of starship Tor-ut Koon. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)

t'Kahr

t'san s'at

tviokh

A word for "neighbor", but used in negative terms (Dr. McCoy states "it's not a nice word", and explains it as preferring your neighbor to be under their land - in other words, dead - rather than living on it). (TOS novel: Spock's World)

val'reth

viltah

v'tosh ka'tur

Term for "...Vulcans without logic." Viewed as outsiders to the traditional Vulcan way of repressing emotions and practicing logical behavior. (ENT episode: "Fusion")

vokau

term for "Remember". (ENT episode: "The Forge")

vrekasht

A word for "outsider", often used as an epithet. (TOS novel: Sarek)

yeht fai-tukh

Phrase translates as "true knowledge", name of starship Yeht Fai-Tukh. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)

yeht talal

Phrase translates as "true discovery", name of starship Yeht Talal. (Decipher RPG module: Starships)

zchliak

Term meaning "friend". Raksha called this word out aboard the starship Nautilus to inform Spock that the yagghorth Nemo was a friendly monster. (TOS novel: Crossroad)

Phrases[]

• "Zero" - when a situation became too complicated, this referred to the need to return to the starting point. For example, "they must zero." It was equivalent to a statement to calm down or relax in other languages. (FASA RPG module: The Orions: Book of Common Knowledge)

Appendices[]

Connections[]

External link[]

• Vulcan language article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.