The world of the Malazan Book of the Fallen is filled with unique words that do not exist in our own. This page gathers pronunciations of these words as favoured by authors, Steven Erikson and Ian C. Esslemont. The pronunciation guides are either our best efforts at transcribing words spoken in audio or video interviews or are provided in writing from the authors themselves. The source of each word's pronunciation is provided so that the reader can listen and decide for themselves.
Note: The Malazan audio books generally should not be considered the authoritative source for pronunciation. Erikson has stated that he was not consulted by their producers for pronunciation until the recording of Forge of Darkness.[1]
This is a work in progress. Please feel free to add any pronunciations you have found in author interviews. Please use this article's Talk Page to suggest changes to pronunciations.
| Contents: | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Notes and references |
A
- Agayla - Ah-gay-lah[2]
- Anaster - Ah-nast-er[3]
- Aren - Air-en[4] or Ar-en[5]
- Azath House - Ah-zath[6]
B
- Bairoth Gild - Bay-roth Gild[7]
- Banaschar - Ban-ah-shar[8]
- Bauchelain - bōk-uh-lān[9]
- Baudin - bō-din[10]
- Bidithal - Bid-ih-thal[11]
- Bole brothers - Bōl[12]
- Brukhalian - Broo-kahl-lee-ann[13]
- Brys Beddict - Breez[14]
C
D
- Darujhistan - deh-roo-schistan[17]
- Delum Thord - Deh-Loom Thord[18]
- Destriant - deh-stry-ant[19]
- D'ivers - dih-vers[20]
- D'rek - Drek[21]
- Duiker - doo-ick-er[22]
- Dujek Onearm - Doo-jeck[23]
E
F
- Felisin Paran: Feh-liss-in[25] Pah-ran[26]
- Fener: fen-er[27]
G
- Ganoes Paran - Gan-ohs Pah-ran[28]
- Genabackis - pronounced with a hard "G", as in gas[29]
- Gesler - Guess-ler[30]
- Gothos - goth-ōs[31]
H
- Heboric - Heh-Boar-ick[32]
- Hish Tulla - Hish Too-lah[33]
- Humbrall Taur - Hum-brahl tower[34]
I
- Icarium - ick-kair-ee-um[35]
- Imass - ee-mass[36] (derived from pronunciation of T'lan Imass)
- Iskaral Pust - isk-uh-rahl puhst[37]
- Itkovian - It-kō-vee-an[38]
J
- Jaghut - Ja-goot (Ja as in jagged, accent on the Ja, the word should fall off on completion)[39][40]
- Jelarkan - Jel-R-can[41]
- Jhag - Jag (derived from the pronunciation of Jhag Odhan)
- Jhag Odhan - Jag Ō-dan[42]
- Jhistal - Jis-Tal[43][44]
K
- Kalam Mekhar - kah-lam[45]
- Kellaras - kel-lair-us[46]
- Kharkanas - kar-kan-as[47]
- K'Chain Che'Malle - K-chain cheh-mal (Malle rhymes with Hal)[39][48]
- K'Chain Nah'ruk - K-chain Nah-ro͝ok (rook pronounced like a chess rook)[49]
- Korlat - Kor-lat[50]
- K'rul - krool[51]
- Kruppe - krup (rhymes with cup)[52][1]
- Kulp - kuhlp[53]
- Kurald Emurlahn - Ker-ahld Em-er-lawn[54]
L
- Laseen - Lah-seen[55]
- Letheras - Leh-thair-as[56]
- Lostara Yil - Lah-stair-ah Yeel[57]
- Lubben - Lube-en [58]
M
- Mael - mail[59] (likely as in maelstrom)
- Malazan - ma-laah-zen[60]
- Mappo - map-ō[61]
- Meanas - mē-an-as[62]
- Mogora - Mō-Gore-ah[63]
- Mhybe - maib (rhymes with tribe)[64][65]
O
- Obo - Ō-bō[66]
- Odhan - Ō-dan (derived from the pronunciation of Jhag Odhan)[67]
- Omtose Phellack - Ahm-tōs Fell-lack[68]
- Oponn - Ō-pon[69]
- Osserc - Ō-serk[70]
- Otataral - Ō-tat-uh-rahl[71]
P
Q
R
- Raest - ray-est[74]
- Rallick Nom - ral-lik nahm[75]
- Raraku - Rare-uh-koo[76]
- Rhulad Sengar - Roo-lad[77]
- Rigga/Riggalai - rig-uh / rig-uh-lie[78]
S
- Saemenkelyk - sam-en-kell-ick[79]
- Seguleh- Seh-goo-leh[80]
- Seren Pedac - Sair-en Peh-dak[81]
- Sha'ik - shy-eek[82]
- Soletaken - sole-take-en[83]
- Starvald Demelain - star-vald dem-eh-lain[84]
T
- Tavore Paran - Tah-vōr[85] Pah-ran[86]
- Teblor - teh-blor[87]
- Tehol Beddict - teh-hole[88]
- Thelomen - tell-ō-men[89]
- Tiste - tīst (rhymes with heist, e is silent)[36][39]
- Tiste Andii - tīst ann-dee[90]
- Tiste Edur - tīst eh-dər[36][39]
- Tiste Liosan - tīst lee-oh-san[91]
- Toblakai - toe-blah-kai [92]
- Toc the Younger - Tock[93]
- T'lan Imass - tuh-lan ee-mass[36]
- Treach - Treach (rhymes with teach)[94]
- Trull Sengar - Trull (as in 'cull') Sen-gar[95]
- Trygalle Trade Guild - Trih-gal[96]
U
V
- Vitr - vitter[98]
- Vorcan Radok - Vor-kin[99]
W
Y
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Toll the Hounds Q&A See answer to question 8
- ↑ Spoiler Talk: Night of Knives with Ian C. Esslemont and Philip Chase - A Critical Dragon - As pronounced by Ian C. Esslemont at 12:10
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Memories of Ice As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 07:50
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Deadhouse Gates As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 04:50
- ↑ Not A TSACast: Fireside Conversations with Steven Erikson and Ian C. Esslemont Ep#4 podcast As pronounced by Ian C. Esslemont at 44:30
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Deadhouse Gates As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 48:02
- ↑ Read for Pixels 2016 Interview As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 1:47:49
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon: Chatting with Steven Erikson, Part 3 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 1:11:20
- ↑ Not A TSACast: Fireside Conversations with Steven Erikson Ep#2 podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 48:22
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 01:17:50
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - House of Chains As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 21:15
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Memories of Ice As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 18:45
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Deadhouse Gates As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 45:14
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Midnight Tides As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 13:50
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Deadhouse Gates As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 45:10
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Memories of Ice As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 12:30
- ↑ An Evening with Steven Erikson by Nerdaí Irish Nerds - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 18:10
- ↑ Books with Brittany - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 24:20
- ↑ Read for Pixels 2016 Interview As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 56:48
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 2 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 44:35
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon: Chatting with Steven Erikson, Part 3 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 1:11:20
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 01:17:04
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 1 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 38:40
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 2 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 1:20:48
- ↑ Read for Pixels 2016 Interview As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 46:17
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 18:44
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 2 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 33:58
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 18:44
- ↑ Read for Pixels 2016 Interview See Steven Erikson's pronunciation of Genabackan at 1:34:28
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 05:40
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 2 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 2:01:40
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 05:37
- ↑ Read for Pixels 2016 Interview As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 04:59
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Deadhouse Gates As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 44:50
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 01:19:26
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 Read for Pixels 2016 Interview As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 54:25-54:35
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 01:19:25
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Memories of Ice As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 09:28
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 Steven Erikson Q&A See question 15
- ↑ The Grim Tidings Podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 47:09
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Deadhouse Gates As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 45:05
- ↑ The Grim Tidings Podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 47:30
- ↑ Chat with Ian C. Esslemont about Malazan As pronounced by Ian C. Esslemont at 47:37
- ↑ Chat with Ian C. Esslemont and Steven Erikson - A Critical Dragon - As pronounced by Ian C. Esslemont at 5:40
- ↑ An Evening with Steven Erikson by Nerdaí Irish Nerds - As pronounced by Erikson at 19:10
- ↑ Read for Pixels 2016 Interview As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 04:48
- ↑ The Arched Doorway interview As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 07:31, 07:34
- ↑ An Evening with Steven Erikson by Nerdaí Irish Nerds - As pronounced by Erikson at 15:29
- ↑ An Evening with Steven Erikson by Nerdaí Irish Nerds - As pronounced by Erikson at 15:39
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Memories of Ice As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 10:10
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 2 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 1:34:30
- ↑ Geek's Guide to the Galaxy podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 04:25
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 01:17:53
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 01:18:35
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 1 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 40:10
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Midnight Tides As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 15:05
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - House of Chains - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 1:14:39
- ↑ Spoiler Talk: Night of Knives with Ian C. Esslemont and Philip Chase - A Critical Dragon - As pronounced by Ian C. Esslemont at 18:15
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 2 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 1:58:55
- ↑ The Grim Tidings Podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 02:05
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 01:19:28
- ↑ The Grim Tidings Podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 48:19
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Deadhouse Gates As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 50:38
- ↑ Read for Pixels 2016 Interview As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 49:43
- ↑ An Evening with Steven Erikson by Nerdaí Irish Nerds - As pronounced by Erikson at 15:52
- ↑ Not A TSACast: Fireside Conversations with Steven Erikson Ep#3 podcast - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 1:32:00
- ↑ The Grim Tidings Podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 47:30
- ↑ An Evening with Steven Erikson by Nerdaí Irish Nerds - As pronounced by Erikson at 16:03
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 2 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 19:13
- ↑ Chat with Ian C Esslemont about Malazan As pronounced by Ian C. Esslemont and Steven Erikson at 51:40
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 01:17:17
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Deadhouse Gates As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 45:53
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 2 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 52:15
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 2 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 2:01:17
- ↑ The Grim Tidings Podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 12:05
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 01:19:12
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Midnight Tides As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 13:50
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 2 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 4:30 and 9:30
- ↑ Not a TSACast podcast #5 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 11:50
- ↑ Not A TSACast: Fireside Conversations with Steven Erikson Ep#3 podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 1:40:00
- ↑ Read for Pixels 2016 Interview As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 1:38:20
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 01:19:20
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 2 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 44:35
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 1 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 1:19:33
- ↑ An Evening with Steven Erikson by Nerdaí Irish Nerds - As pronounced by Erikson at 31:17
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 18:44
- ↑ An Evening with Steven Erikson by Nerdaí Irish Nerds - As pronounced by Erikson at 20:35
- ↑ Black Gate Magazine video interview - As pronounced by Erikson (see 20:15)
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 2 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 2:06:40
- ↑ An Evening with Steven Erikson by Nerdaí Irish Nerds - As pronounced by Erikson at 16:10
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 01:18:25
- ↑ Books with Brittany As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 17:00
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Memories of Ice As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 08:05
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Deadhouse Gates As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 45:28
- ↑ Read for Pixels 2016 Interview As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 44:45
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast - Deadhouse Gates As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 46:50
- ↑ Read for Pixels 2016 Interview As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 29:50
- ↑ Gardens of the Moon - Chatting with Steven Erikson, part 1 - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 1:19:37
- ↑ An Evening with Steven Erikson by Nerdaí Irish Nerds - As pronounced by Erikson at 18:44
- ↑ Spoiler Talk: Night of Knives with Ian C. Esslemont and Philip Chase - A Critical Dragon - As pronounced by Ian C. Esslemont at 15:35
- ↑ Ten Very Big Books podcast As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 01:06:28