Niä (Earth-5875)

Niä is the primary language of the san'shyuum, best described as being very similar to human Medieval Gregorian-style chanting, based entirely on religious communication. Comprised of numerous hand gestures to indicate mood, feelings, emotions, and signals, it is mostly only understood by the san'shyuum themselves with few exceptions among highly devout sangheili warriors.

One of the main terms of the Writ of Union was for the san'shyuum to adopt the sangheili Digom as their language and the language of the Covenant, which the sangheili perceived as the san'shyuum's greatest concession among peace between the two species after the War of Beginnings. The san'shyuum were more than willing to trade their own language in order to acquire power within the Covenant's leadership.

Notable gestures

 * All things flow away.
 * Be well and be discreet.
 * Esteemed colleagues, let us begin.
 * Go silent or die silent.
 * Happy to be of service.
 * I choose not to be offended.
 * I do not contradict you.
 * I have decided. It will be done.
 * I will speak of it another time.
 * It's a minor difficulty.
 * It's safe to come.
 * It is past time.
 * Joyful obedience.
 * Make peace with your ancestors.
 * Of course!
 * One is but thinking aloud.
 * Respectfully, you are mistaken.
 * So you say.
 * What means this?