It's all too easy for the unwary to slip into the Otherworld, but even the intentional traveller would do well to blend in, and nothing marks you out as an outsider quite like an incomplete grasp of the language.

Fortunately, hare at Mandolin Press, we have your back with our handy Otherworld Survival Guides.

Before You Travel...

The Otherworld was a lot closer to ours back when Cornish was still widely spoken, and it continued to be the main language there as the worlds drew apart. Today, Cornish is still the closest reference we have, and regular travellers have used it to compile the following list.

For your safety, we recommend you familiarise yourself with these common terms before departure.

Tiranaral

The name that the Otherworlders use for our world - literally Land (of) the other(s). Essentially the same thing we call their world.
If you learn nothing else from this guide, it is essential that you call our world Tiranaral.
A native of the Otherworld would rarely use any other term.

Etymology:

Tir - land.
an - the (of the in this case.)
Aral - Other(s)

Contracted through everyday use from tir an aral to Tiranaral.

pronunciation:

tir is pronounced like deer, the emphasis is placed on al of aral: Teeranaral

Enys Avalen

What the Otherworlders call their own world. Referencing the celtic tradition of Alavon - literally isle of apples.

Etymology:

Enys - Island
an - the (of the in this case.)
Avalen - Apples

The an of enys an avalen has been lost through regular usage over the years.

Pluralisation can be tricky in Cornish, generally ow is added so avel (apple) would become avallow (apples), but when talking of an entire class e.g. apples as a concept rather than just those specific apples over there the suffix en is used instead.

pronunciation:

Enys is pronounced similarly to the name Dennis, Avalen is pronounced with the emphasis on al: Eniss Avalen

Lyskerrys

The old Cornish word for Liskeard.

Etymology:

Lys - Court
Kerrys - Possible reference to the name Kerwyd, or even the word for stag

As well as being the old name for Liskeard, Lyskerrys is also how the city in Enys Avalen that is home to Tamsyn and Kerensa and is connected to Liskeard via the gateways is known.

pronunciation:

Lys is pronounced similarly to the word This. The emphasis is placed on the ker: Lyskerrys

Ebronndir

The name of the river running through Lyskerrys. Translated as Earth-Sky, a contraction of the words for land and sky referencing the way the surface of the river reflects the sky making it look like a strip of sky running through the earth.

Etymology:

Tir - land.
Ebren - sky

Not strictly grammatically correct: the ‘t’ is mutated to a ‘d’ which does happen in Cornish, although not in this particular case. The double n would not occur, and the e in ebren has evolved through usage to an o.

pronunciation:

tir is pronounced like deer, the emphasis is placed on ronn: Eb-ron-deer

Ventonana

The central fountain above the Cathedral. Literally The fountain of the Soul. Colloquailly known as the Ana.
Referring to the fountain as the Ana has got many a traveller out of a sticky spot, especially in taverns less frequented by vistors such as The Autumn Sky

Etymology:

Venton - spring/fountain.
Ena - Soul

Traditionally would be venton an ena, but contracted through daily use again to Ventonana with the e of ena becoming an a over time.

pronunciation:

Ana is pronounced like the name Anna, the emphasis is placed on an: Venton-ana

Treth an Wennili

Beach of Swallows. Named for the twilight swallows found there.

Etymology:

This is the same structure as the supposed origins of the name of the hill Brown Willy (the highest point in Cornwall) which is thought to be Bron (an) Wennili (Hill of the swallows)

pronunciation:

Treth is pronounced like breath, the emphasis is placed on the penultimate i in wenili, so Treth-an-wen-ee-lee.

General Pronunciation

A traveller to the Otherworld would be well advised to pronounce their words correctly to avoid attracting unnecessary attention. Emphasis in Cornish is usually placed on the second to last sylable, which is why we see: Ebronndir, Tiranaral and Enys Avalen.

The letter i is pronounced like a long e - as in sleep.

Disclaimer

This survival guide is presented to assist in you in your travels to the Otherworld, but such travel is not without risk, and Mandolin Press can assume no responsibility for your safety even if the guide is followed to the letter.