Don’t let anyone ever tell you that the nerdy thing you love won’t ever get you anywhere. As proof, one needs only point to the upcoming course at UC Berkeley, “The Linguistics of Game of Thrones and the Art of Language Invention.” In order to get students excited for it (as if they even needed to), the school released a bit of their fight song translated into Dothraki.

Our only gripe with this bit of gravelly talk-singing, which was recently featured on an io9 article, is that they didn’t do the whole darn song. The language course will be taught by UC Berkeley alum David J. Peterson who, as you may have guessed, created the Dothraki and Valyrian languages for Game of Thrones. And while some may dismiss using the language of the horse-mounted warriors in Essos for a college fight song, the lyrics to “Sons of California” do sound a bit like they may have been written by George R. R. Martin himself.

We are Sons of California
A loyal company;
All shout for California
While we strive for victory
All sing the joyful chorus,
As her colors we unfold;
Then hurrah for California,
And for the Blue and Gold

Or, if you want to sing along with the passion of a Khal or Khaleesi…

Kish’ rizhi Kalifornya
Kisha qothakasar
Donaki Ka-li-for-ni-ya
Dothray najahheyaan
Hoyalaki asqoyif Azzhonathay visshiy Hajas zhey Ka-li-for-ni-ya
Zhey thelis, hoshori!

Granted, the third verse of the song does mention the sea, which isn’t entirely Dothraki-friendly. But still, that’s more of a war-cry than something to sing at pep rallies.

The class will be offered this summer at UC Berkeley but for anyone unable to attend (i.e. a lot of people) you can still learn from Peterson’s YouTube series The Art of Language Creation. 

What do you think of the Dothrakized (totes a word!) version of the song? Which strikes more fear into the opposing sports team? Let’s discuss in the comments below!

Image: HBO

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