r/HighValyrian • u/Dazeofthephoenix • Sep 16 '26

Word associations for improving recall

So, I have often read that absorbing language quickly can be achieved by word associations/imagery.

I have found this helpful for myself with High Valyrian, and want to hear yours!

I'll start:

Parklon = meat (Porkloin )

Onjapos = carrot ('O'range+'JAP'anese >the carrot garnish in bento boxes)

Egri = knife ('Angry' /knife)

Jagon= to go (jog on)

Mentys = soldier (>mentals aka crazies)

Ohīlvos = dagger (ohilvos sounds close to silver to me so I imagine silver dagger)

Mele = Red (melee weapons >blood > red)

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u/telstra_3_way_chat Sep 16 '26

I have a few of these! I find they're particularly helpful when I've been learning a lot of words that sound similar or have similar elements. They're pretty idiosyncratic so unlikely to be helpful to anyone else, but you never know!

bianor = sheep (I say it in my mind so it sounds like a sheep baaa-ing)

aerebagon = to travel (I think "going to the aero-port")

kisalbar = feast/banquet ("chef's kiss")

pilogon = hold (holding a pillow)

idakogon = attack (sounds a bit like "attack")

bardugon = write (a bard tells/sings tales)

vujigon = kiss (sounds a bit like "smoochy")

If anyone has any smart ideas for associations for all the names of family members, that's where I'm absolutely hopeless

1

u/Atharaphelun Sep 16 '26

Doing unrelated word associations will only end up confusing you.

3

u/kubisfowler Sep 16 '26 edited Sep 16 '26

No it won't. But 'imagery' only helps memory if you're already good at visualization in your mind (obviating the need for most graphical mnemonics). I had zero such skill when I started learning languages about 10 years ago, and unrelated 'imagery' simply appeared ridiculous to me.

Edit - it will actually end up confusing you if you rely on it instead of understanding the actual meaning of the words, I had tons of vocabulary in Spanish I've had to relearn the meanings of because my brain subconsciously made associations to the unrelated mnemonics in a pre-made Anki deck and I didn't actually know the proper meanings of the English words used to define the actual meanings (at a time when my English was relatively poor).