Eragon

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Ancient Language Dictionary”

In this activity, students will create a dictionary of words in the Ancient Language and write a diary entry incorporating some of those words.

A unique element of Eragon’s world is the Ancient Language, a special language used to communicate and do magic. In this activity, we will dive deeper into the Ancient Language, exploring its role in the book and its meaning.

Part A:

• Review the text to compile at least 10 examples of words or phrases in the Ancient Language. Write down these words or phrases in your notebook. This will be your “Ancient Language Dictionary.”
• Beside each word or phrase, write down your guess about what it means. Use context clues from the sentences around it.
• Once you have compiled your list, look in the back of the book or online to find the actual translations. Write these down next to your guesses.
• Reflect on how close your guesses were to the actual meanings. Did understanding the meaning of the Ancient Language words change your understanding of the scenes they were used in?

Part B:

• Imagine you are a character in the world of Alagaësia. You could be a Dragon Rider, an elf, a dwarf, or any other character you can imagine.
• Write a diary entry from this character’s perspective. In your entry, include at least three sentences that use words or phrases from the Ancient Language.
• Share your diary entry with a partner. Your partner should use their Ancient Language Dictionary to translate all of the phrases you incorporated in your writing.
• As a class, discuss the challenges you faced when incorporating the Ancient Language into your writing. How does this parallel the challenges that Eragon faces as he learns to use the language?

Teaching Suggestion: This activity will help students understand the importance of the Ancient Language in the novel. Eragon is not fluent in the language, so he struggles to use it both for communication and to harness magical power. Consider starting the activity by talking about the struggles that people face when they are not fluent in a language. For a deeper discussion after the activity, consider asking students about the advantages and disadvantages of speaking in a language in which it is impossible to lie.

Differentiation Suggestion: For advanced learners, consider asking them to include more entries in their dictionary. For an additional challenge, they can also illustrate their dictionaries and use each word or phrase in a sentence. Students with learning disabilities such as dysgraphia may benefit from having a digital option for the dictionary. If you have access to technology such as Prezi or Google Slides, students can also collaborate on a digital dictionary.