Monday 5 December 2016

5th Lexember Word

ortáse hón [o̞ɾˈtäˑʑə̆ ˈvo̞ˑn], noun phrase: “thunder“

Originally posted by hellish-b0y

I know this is lightning rather than thunder, but try finding a GIF for a strictly auditory phenomenon!

In keeping with the weather theme we have had going on since the beginning, today’s word also refers to a weather phenomenon. However, the word itself is rather different from the previous ones, in that it’s not actually a word but an idiom, composed of already known Haotyétpi words whose combination means more than the sum of its parts. Literally, this phrase means “voice of spirits”, although a more accurate translation might be “god’s voice”. It is composed of the inalienably possessed noun honé: “(one’s) voice“, possessed by the inalienably possessed noun ortáse: “(one’s) soul, spirit, god”.

This does not mean, however, that the speakers of Haotyétpi still literally believe that thunder is gods shouting at them or at each other (although it is part of their animistic beliefs). It’s just how they usually refer to it in normal conversation.

Once again, no example this time around, but I’ll try to make it up to you tomorrow.

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