Dothraki

About

Dothraki is a fictional language created by David J. Peterson for the HBO series Game of Thrones. It is spoken by the Dothraki, a nomadic people in the show's universe. The language was developed from the few phrases mentioned in George R. R. Martin's novels, with Peterson expanding it into a full, learnable language. As of 2011, Dothraki had over 3,000 words, though not all have been publicly disclosed. The language's phonology and grammar were designed to be both authentic and accessible to actors, drawing inspiration from languages like Estonian, Inuktitut, Turkish, Russian, and Swahili. Dothraki's cultural significance in Game of Thrones is notable, reflecting the nomadic lifestyle of its speakers. For example, it includes multiple words for "horse" but lacks terms for modern amenities like "toilet." This focus on horse culture highlights the Dothraki's reliance on horses in their society. The language has gained popularity, with its use in the series making it one of the most recognized fictional languages alongside Valyrian, also created by Peterson. Dothraki's impact extends beyond the show, with fans learning and using the language, demonstrating its enduring appeal as a constructed language.