Tad Williams - Tailchaser’s Song

The Higher Singing is a predominantly verbal language, although meaning can be shaped with posture and emphasis. So the reader needn't be constantly looking up words, much of the Higher Singing in use has been translated within the text; there is, however, a glossary at the back for the faint of heart.

A few notes on pronunciation.

"C" is always pronounced "S": thus, Meerclar is pronounced "Mere-slar."

In the instances where an "S" has been used, it is only to clarify the pronunciation. For example, I felt that "Vicl," although the true spelling, was a little boggling; hence, "Visl."

"F" has a soft "fth" sound.

Vowels tend to conform to Latinate "ah-eh-ih-oh-ooh."

Allmother, Meerclar, Creator of the Folk

Bandyleg, Firsthome cat

Bast-Imret, Boneguard

Beetleswat, young Meeting Wall torn

Bitefast, Clawguard

Bite-then-Bark, Rauro, Dog-king of Eatbugs' story

Blueback, a prince of the Folk

Bobweave, a First-walker

Brightnail, a prince of the Folk

Brindlesides, Fritti Tailchaser's father

Bristlejaw, Meeting Wall Master-singer

Brushstalker, First-walker Thane

Cleanwhisker, a prince of the Folk

Clearsong, Tirya, Tailchaser's oldest sister

Click, Master, a squirrel

Climbfast, a prince of the Folk

Cloudleaper, Cat-queen of Eatbugs' story

Crushgrass, Clawguard chieftain

Dandlegrass, Firsthome cat

Dayhunter, companion of Fencewalker

Dewtreader, Prince Sresla, Prince Consort to Queen

Sunback

Earnotch, Vastnir prisoner, storyteller

Earpoint, Meeting Wall elder, delegate

Eatbugs, mad cat, Tailchaser's companion

Eyeshimmer, Far-senser to the First-walkers

FenceWalker, Prince, son of Queen Sunback

Firefoot, Tangaloor, one of the Firstborn

Fizz, Master, a squirrel

Fleetpaw, young Meeting Wall torn

Fiickerswift, sister ofjumptall

Fumblefoot, Vastnir prisoner

Furscuff, First-walker; Squeakerbane's companion

Glideswallow, Firsthome cat

Glitterfur, a queen of the Folk

Goldeneye, Harar, father of the Folk

Grassnestle, Indea, Tailchaser's mother

Hangbelly, a First-walker

Hearteater, Grizrsz, one of the Firstborn; lord of Vastnir

Hissbiood; master of Toothguard

Howisong, apprentice Master Old-singer

Huff-so-Gruff, Villa-on-Mar dog

Hushpad, Tailchaser's friend

Jargum, a mythological frog

Jumptall, young Meeting Wall torn; delegate

Karthwine, a fox

Knet-Makri, Boneguard

Krelli, a young raven

Leafrustle, a young Meeting Wall torn

Longtooth, Clawguard

Lungeclaw, ancestor of Quiverdaw

Morningstripe, a queen of the Folk

Mudtracker, cat from Beyond-Edge-Copse

Nightcatcher, companion of Fencewalker

Ninebirds, mythical prince, progenitor of the Big Ones

Nipslither, Toothguard

Nuzzledark, Toothguard

Pawgentle, Firsthome cat

Pawgrip, Vastnir prisoner

Pfefirrit, a prince of birds

Plink, Master, squirrel messenger

Pokesnout, Firsthome cat

Pop, Lord, squirrel-ruler

Pouncequick, Tailchaser's companion

Quiverclaw, First-walker Thane

Rebum, Mother, a frog

Redlegs, Cat-prince of Eatbugs' story

Renred, a mythological fox

Riptalon, Clawguard

Roofshadow, Firsa, Tailchaser's companion

RumblepuiT, Chamberlain of the Court of Harar

Satinear, a queen of the Folk

Scratchnail, Clawguard chieftain

Scuffledig, a First-walker

Shredfang, Clawguard

Skinwretch, Toothguard

Skoggi, raven father

Skydancer, Fela, mother of the Folk

Skystone, Irao, a prince of the Folk

Sleekheart, a prince of the Folk

Slipwhisker, Roof shadow's father

Slitbelly, Toothguard

Smackbush. Firsthome cat

Snagrat, cat in Hangbelly's song

Snap, Lord, squirrel-lord, brother of Lord Pop

Snapjaw, Clawguard

Snaremouse, Firsthome cat; dancer

Snifflick, Meeting Wall elder

Snoutscar, Clawguard overseer

Snufflenose, Roofshadow's brother

Softwhisker, Tailchaser's youngest sister

Sourweed, First-walker Thane

Squeakerbane, Ranking First-walker Thane

Streamhopper, Meeting Wall delegate

Stretchslow, Meeting Wall elder, Tailchaser's benefactor

Strongclaw, a prince of the Folk

Sunback, Queen Mirmirsor, the Queen of the Folk

Tailchaser, Fritti, our hero

Thinbone, Tailchaser's Meeting Wall friend

Treesinger, a princess of the Folk

Twitchnose, Snifflick's mate

Voienibble, Firsthome Master Old-singer

Wavetail, Meeting Wall elder

Whir, Mistress, mate of Master Fizz

Whitewind, Viror, one of the Firstborn Windflower, strange cat in Squeakerbane's story

Windruffle, a queen of the Folk Wolf-friend, a prince of the Folk

A, to; at; toward

Akor, eagle

An, sun

Ar, yes

Az, cat; person

Az-iri'le, "we-cats:" the Folk

Az'me, "earth-cat:" tree

Cef, water

Cefaz, "water-cat:"fish

Cir, sing; speak

Cu, sibling

Cu'nre, "heart-brother:"friend

E, hot

E'a, "toward-hot:" south

Erunor, sheep

Fa, jump

Fe, mother

Fela, female

Fik, loud, frightening

Fik'a, "loud-cat:" dog

Fikos, "terrifying badness"

Fla, run

Fla-fa'az, "run-jump-cat:" bird

Garrin, bear

Hat, father

Hlizza, snake

Iri, I; me

Iri'Ie, "many-me:

Ka, spirit; soul

Krauka, raven

La, birth

Le, many

Ma, away from; out of

Me, earth

Mela, "birth-ground:" nest

Mela'an, "sun-nest:" sky

Me'mre, "food-soil:" droppings

Meskra, hawk

Mre, eat; food

Mre'az, "food-cat:" mouse

Mii, sleep

Mri'fa, "sleep-jump:" dream

Mri'fa-o, "good dreaming:" good night

Nre, heart

Nre'fa, "heart-jump:" dance

Nre'fa-o, "good dancing:" hello; goodbye

O, good

Oel, master; chief

Oel-cir'va, "Master Old-singer"

Oel-var'iz, "master seer:" Far-senser

Os, bad, incorrect; wrong

Praere, rabbit

Pril, salmon

Qu, big

Ri, head

Rikchikchik, squirrel

Ruhu, owl

Tesri, deer

Tom (ptom), male

Ue, cold

Ue'a, "toward-cold:" north

Va'an, "old-sun:" west Vaka'az'me, "old-spirit-tree"

Var, sight; sense

Vez, young

Vez'an, "young-sun:" east