Shain: Difference between revisions
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This introduces an interesting possible interpretation: that the Aiel ''redefined'' ''shain'' and their own name. Originally, "da'shain aiel" meant "people dedicated to peace," where "[[aiel]]" meant peace. When the Aiel abandoned the [[Way of the Leaf]], this started a process which ended with the words ''shain'' and ''aiel'' switching meanings. Terms like "gai'shain" either were created using the flipped meanings, or were reinterpreted in light of the change. | This introduces an interesting possible interpretation: that the Aiel ''redefined'' ''shain'' and their own name. Originally, "da'shain aiel" meant "people dedicated to peace," where "[[aiel]]" meant peace. When the Aiel abandoned the [[Way of the Leaf]], this started a process which ended with the words ''shain'' and ''aiel'' switching meanings. Terms like "gai'shain" either were created using the flipped meanings, or were reinterpreted in light of the change. | ||
This page is written presuming this interpretation as part of [[Project:Maximizing | This page is written presuming this interpretation as part of [[Project:Maximizing Richness|maximizing richness]]. | ||
==Age of Legends Old Tongue== | ==Age of Legends Old Tongue== | ||
Revision as of 17:32, 17 January 2026
shain
Out of Universe
✓ Canonical — Attested in canon. Sourced from books, Companion, and show.
Semantic tension exists with Naomi Joy Todd's interview, where she discusses her linguistic work to construct that shai means "dedicated". There is no clear link to "peace". In fact, the only phrases we see shain used in are "Da'shain Aiel", "gai'shain", and defined by itself in the Companion dictionary.
This introduces an interesting possible interpretation: that the Aiel redefined shain and their own name. Originally, "da'shain aiel" meant "people dedicated to peace," where "aiel" meant peace. When the Aiel abandoned the Way of the Leaf, this started a process which ended with the words shain and aiel switching meanings. Terms like "gai'shain" either were created using the flipped meanings, or were reinterpreted in light of the change.
This page is written presuming this interpretation as part of maximizing richness.
Age of Legends Old Tongue
Noun
shain
- Dedication
- Dedicated one
Adjective
shain
- Dedicated
Derived terms
- da'shain — "dedicated people"
- Da'shain Aiel — "people dedicated to peace"
Related terms
New Era Old Tongue
In New Era Old Tongue, the meaning switched with aiel, spurred by the Aiel people's abandoning of the Way of the Leaf.
Noun
shain
- Peace
- Peaceful one
Adjective
shain
- Peaceful
Derived terms
References
- ↑ It is unknown if the term originated before or after the change in meaning. If it originated before, it would instead translate as "battle-dedicated" or "battle-sworn", with presumably the intended meaning "sworn against battle" or "sworn against fighting".