Glossary of Dune (franchise) terminology

This is a list of terminology used in the fictional Dune universe created by Frank Herbert, the primary source being "Terminology of the Imperium", the glossary contained in the novel Dune (1965).

Dune word construction could be classified into three domains of vocabulary, each marked with its own neology: the names and terms related to the politics and culture of the Imperium, the names and terms characteristic of the mystic sodality of the Bene Gesserit, and the barely displaced Arabic of the Fremen language. Fremen share vocabulary for Arrakeen phenomena with the Empire, but use completely different vocabulary for Bene Gesserit-implanted messianic religion.^[1]

Due to the similarities between some of Herbert's terms and ideas and actual words and concepts in the Arabic and Hebrew languages — as well as the series' "Islamic undertones" and themes — a Middle Eastern influence on Herbert's works has been noted repeatedly.^[1]^[2] There are over eighty terms used of Arabic origin, several other loanwords from Indo-European languages such as German and Persian, and words from the North American Na-Dene language Navajo.^[3]

^ ^a ^b Csicsery-Ronay, Jr., Istvan (November 28, 2008). The Seven Beauties of Science Fiction. Wesleyan. ISBN 978-0819568892. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
^ Bahayeldin, Khalid (January 22, 2004). "Arabic and Islamic themes in Frank Herbert's Dune". Baheyeldin.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2009.
^ Singh, Manvir (February 28, 2024). "Dune and the Delicate Art of Making Fictional Languages". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.

[7_Beauties-1] Csicsery-Ronay, Jr., Istvan (November 28, 2008). The Seven Beauties of Science Fiction. Wesleyan. ISBN 978-0819568892. Archived from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved November 11, 2020.

[Bahayeldin-2] Bahayeldin, Khalid (January 22, 2004). "Arabic and Islamic themes in Frank Herbert's Dune". Baheyeldin.com. Archived from the original on May 12, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2009.

[Singh_2024-3] Singh, Manvir (February 28, 2024). "Dune and the Delicate Art of Making Fictional Languages". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.

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