Chakobsa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chakobsa is a fictional language used by the Fremen people of Frank Herbert's science fiction series Dune. In the series, the language is said to be based on another fictitious language, the Bhotani Jib.
Examples of the language from the books are actually a mixture of Roma (or gypsy) language, from a gypsy magic textbook Herbert used for reference, one sentence in Serbo-Croat and various Arabic terms, with definitions altered slightly to suggest the passage of time.
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[edit] History
The Dune Encyclopedia includes lengthy descriptions of the Fremen Language, but it is only based upon the original first four books, and has been declared non-canon by the estate of Frank Herbert.
[edit] Recent Usage
In 2003, the Sci Fi Channel released their sequel TV miniseries entitled Children of Dune. Notably, the official soundtrack of the miniseries included a song entitled "Inama Nushif", which has lyrics sung in Fremen. It was transcribed from Frank Herbert's texts by composer Brian Tyler. [1]
[edit] Textual Example
An example of Chakobsa is seen in the ancient funeral ritual of the Fremen in which "water" (blood) of a dead tribesman is magically blessed: "Ekkeri-akairi, fillissin-follas. Kivi a-kavi, nakalas! Nakalas! Ukair-an ... jan, jan, jan ... .[1]
(Translation "This is the water of (the new owner). Never the more to be measured or counted by the heartbeats of (the old owner). Go, go, go...")
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Dune, pp. 315.
[edit] References
- Herbert, Frank. Dune. New York City: Berkley Books, 1965
- McNelly, Dr. Willis E. The Dune Encyclopedia
