Call of Cthulhu R’lyehian Language Guide

This guide presents the basic structure, grammatical features and detailed analysis of the best-known textual examples of the R’lyehian language in the works of H.P. Lovecraft and his followers. It is compiled from both Lovecraft’s original translations and community solutions.

Introduction to R’lyehian Language

H.P. Lovecraft and his followers, under the banner of the “Cthulhu Mythos,” sprinkled fragments of an alien tongue throughout their works. Although Lovecraft never named this language, fans commonly call it R’lyehian (or Cthuvian). This article focuses on R’lyehian.

Lovecraft himself provided translations for a few snippets. Inspired to learn more, I braved a sanity-testing journey to compile the small lexicon below—so far, the fruit of those efforts. For deeper dives into the Mythos, explore the newsgroup alt.horror.cthulhu or search for “Cthulhu Mythos” online.

Grammar Overview

• No parts of speech distinction: Nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc. all share the same form.
• Pronouns: May be omitted.
• Tenses: Only two—present and not-present—since time is non-linear for the Old Ones.
• Context matters: Outside of a sentence, any translation is conjectural.

Core Vocabulary

Below is a selection of R’lyehian roots, prefixes, and suffixes with their meanings. (For a complete lexicon, consult dedicated fan databases.)

Plurals often form by doubling the final consonant (e.g., gof’n = child; gof’nn = children).

R’lyehian Language in Action

The Call of Cthulhu

Original:

ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn

Lovecraft’s gloss:

In his house at R’lyeh dead Cthulhu lies dreaming.

Literal reconstruction:

Dead (beyond the threshold), yet alive (working), Cthulhu waits/sleeps in his palace at R’lyeh.

Bloch’s “The Unspeakable Betrothal”

1. They would carry her ulnagr Yuggoth Farnomi ilyaa…
   • uln- = summon, -agr ≈ location suffix, Yuggoth = Pluto, Farnomi = entity/place, ilyaa = await
   • Translation: “They would carry her from the place of summoning to Yuggoth, where Farnomi awaits her.”
2. Only perception is limited ch’yar ul’nyar shaggornyth
   • ch’ = travel, -nyar ≈ moment, shaggor- ≈ dream-realm force, -nyth = servant of
   • Translation (tentative): “Perception is limited at the moment of departure, at the moment of summoning, by the Nightgaunt.”

Expanding the Lexicon with Later Fragments

• Azath-oth: native of Azathoth (realm of nuclear chaos)
• lloig-or: aspect of the mind (since Lloigor = mental constructs)
• Additional realms: shogg (Pit), shagg (Dreamlands), lloig (Mindscape)

Modern Examples from Derleth and Others

Derleth’s “The Return of Hastur”

Iä Hastur cf'ayak'vulgtmm, vugtlagln vulgtmm

Interpretation: “Glory to Hastur! We offer up our prayers to thee; answer our prayers.”

Hastur cf'tagn.

“Hastur, we wait for thee; we dream of thee.”

Carter’s “Dead of Night”

glw'nafh fhthagn-ngah cf'ayak 'vulgtmm vugtlag'n

“Yet living, [It] sleeps/waits and then acts; we send our prayers to thee—answer us!”