Badjan Language

A collection of idioms used by the inhabitants of Bajou.

History of the Language

The Principality of Bajou speaks majorly in Badjan, a mixture between the Danatelian language and Bajou. Because Bajou had no written form, they borrowed the Danatelian script to construct their own language, adding a few extra symbols to account for sounds specific to Badjan.

During the colonisation of the isles of Bajou by the Danatelians, the Badjan language slowly started taking in Danatelian words and idioms. Following the Revolution of Da'Gan, the country isolated itself, and cut from the outside world Bajou and Danatelian morphed into something new. The two languages became one, giving birth to Badjan.

Common Idioms

Since the Principality of Bajou opened contact once more, some dedicated linguistics have made it their job to observe how Bajou evolved from Danatelian. The following idioms have been translated in Danatelian literally, and are extracted from the Sailor's Guide to Badjan Idioms

Sentence	Meaning
"I see someone forgot to take the crabs out their shoes eh!"	That someone is tired. It is a common tradition in Bajou to put crabs in one's shoes at night, to chase away evil spirits.
"They didn't go at it with the back of their dead hand."	Used to describe someone who tried very hard to do something, putting a lot of effort into it.
"Some days are better off as nights."	Today sucks. Can be used to refer to general mood, weather, or overall lameness of a day.
"You're gonna make the fish grow wings!"	Used to describe bad smell / accoutrement. The original context is a joke on the fact that if one were to go wash in a river, the fish would grow wings to escape the stench.
"They're a jackal, that one."	To be a cunning and sly in their affairs, intended as a compliment on one's skills. While jackals aren't native to the Principality, the game of Hounds and Jackals has made them a popular animal.
"Argan's blessings, may lightning strike your foes!"	A traditional greeting in the Principality of Bajou.
"I wouldn't hand them an egg, thats for sure..."	Used to say of someone they are clumsy, or untrustworthy.
"Heard them talking with crows."	Refers to the fact that one might be a Seer of the Leaves.

They were isolated for a long time. Once a Danatelian colony, they rebelled, led by a self proclaimed prince, and cut relationships with any outsiders. Any approaching boat was met with slews of arrows. But they opened their doors once more. These Bajou are strange folk, thats for sure- while we speak the same language, rarely do our words mean the same thing.

— Extract from "History of the Bajou Isle"

Spoken in: Principality of Bajou

by Annie Spratt