Donnekahshaie (Dahn-kah-SHAY) is a universal language, similar to Esperanto, which is spoken exclusively by Acme detectives. The word itself is also used as a greeting and farewell (like "aloha"). Most of the words in the language are procedural vocabulary, but a detective that knows the Agency well and has mastered a variety of languages can speak completely in Donnekahshaie. Acme agents often give each other Donnekahshaie nicknames, which always make a statement about their personality and are sometimes part of an inside joke. (All terms are fully explained in Book II, and words will be added to this glossary as they come up in the story.)


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Common words

adreniana (Ah-dren-ee-AH-na) or Adrenaline Control
Skill used by an agent to adjust homeostasis in order to cope with jet lag, long treks, and occupational stress in general.

Arenai Rey (ah-REN-eye RAY)
Donnekahshaie name: "Spark and Fire".

chezla (CHEZH-lah)
Someone who offers bribes to law enforcement or government officials to get them to overlook crimes.

chuming (choo-MING)
Taken directly from Chinese. Literally, "an inside knowing of things". A sixth sense.

deika (DEE-kah)
Literally, "street cop".
1) Slang for local law enforcement.
2) Acme agent who is not up to standards.

desalamo (deh-SA-la-mo)
1) Extremely dangerous criminal.
2) Criminal determined to be beyond the skill of the detective tracking him or her.

desalamyi (deh-sa-LAHM-yee)
Less dangerous, but still troublesome criminal.

dhamochi (dha-MOE-chee)
Literally, "spirit thief". A person or thing who "steals" an agent's confidence ("spirit") or alters their personality. Also used to refer to a past traumatic event.

dha
Suggests a general idea of deviance, the closest English translation probably being "troublemaker".

dhanna (DHA-nah)
Literally, "exile". A detective who is no longer allowed to work at the Agency. Because of Acme's strict code, there are many ways a detective can be Exiled, and it is not necessarily a disgrace.

di'tela (dee-TAY-lah)
Literally, "all ranks". The word most commonly used for an Acme detective. It is short for diladonnekahtela, "One who speaks Donnekahshaie".

espadi (Ehs-PAH-dee)
Roughly translates to "patience". Taken from the Spanish esperanza, which means both "to wait" and "to hope".

Generation
General group of people working at Acme during a specific time. As people from one Generation die, retire, or leave, new people come in and eventually form a new Generation.

heisla (HAY-slah)
Literally, "henchmen". Also a generic term for anyone who may be working directly or indirectly with a specific criminal.

Iwakili (Ee-wa-KEE-lee)
Donnekahshaie name: "Stormtracker".

Junior
Agent that is best known for his work from 1985 to present.

keyara (key-YAR-ah)
A nutritious meat-salad-bread dish that the Agency is famous for and that can support an agent for a long time.

Khisondhanna (Khee-son-DHA-nah)
A hearing for the purpose of deciding the fate of an Exiled detective.

Kilamiraine (KIL-a-mir-ayne)
Very complex, vigorous dance that is common at celebrations. Originally created as a stress outlet, it has become something of an art form.

Mahli Saia (MAH-lee SIGH-ah)
Donnekahshaie name: "Bright Eyes".

Maisadorre (May-sah-DOHR)
Literally, "John Maisa's strategy". An extremely difficult, one-man undercover mission, during which the Agency is not aware of the agent's true intentions or goal. Not recommended.

Peacekeeper
Agent that is best known for his work from 1950 to 1968.

roundabout
1) Giving freedom to a criminal who has contributed to the capture of a more desired criminal.
2) The act of a criminal who turns in other criminals to benefit his- or herself.

Senior
Agent that is best known for his work from 1968 to 1985.

tersa (TER-sah)
Literally, "tourist". A stupid or annoying person.

Trainee
Detective that is active but still in training.

totem-poaching
The theft (and often sale) of cultural items.

wakero (wah-KER-oh)
Taken from the Spanish huaquero, "grave robber". Someone who steals cultural items to sell.

Common Phrases

daisa si daino (DIE-sa see DIE-no)
"Things are not always what they seem"

daisa li metta sai (DIE-sa lee MET-ta sigh)
"Things fall into place". Usually refers to the solving of a case.

kellangue (kel-LANG)
"What language do you speak?"

Marli Dia (MAR-lee DEE-ah)
Interjection used to express surprise and shock. Roughly translates to "my God".

Quenya si atta telo (KWEN-ya see AH-ta TAY-low)
"The sun rises for all people."
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