Ancient Cybertronian

Mxyzptlk?

Ancient Cybertronian—also known as Old Cybertronian, or less commonly as the Primal Vernacular—is an ancient Cybertronian language, used by the forebears of modern-day Transformers.

Fiction

Generation 1 cartoon continuity

The Transformers cartoon

The controls of the Plasma Energy Chamber were labeled in "Ancient Cybertronian", which Spike Witwicky did not recognize but Cerebros was able to read. The Rebirth, Part 1

Wings Universe

Wings Universe is based on the Generation 1 cartoon, but deviates from it in cosmetic ways and continuity points.

In their search for the immortal spark of the infamous Decepticon Starscream, the Star Seekers traveled to a planetoid rendered nearly inaccessible by the numerous nearby black holes. On the planetoid was a stronghold with a wall inscribed with Ancient Cybertronian runes: "Beyond this wall is to know treachery. Beyond this wall is to know betrayal. Beyond this wall is to know immortality." Behind the wall was a deceased Quintesson whose body, as it later transpired, was being inhabited by Starscream's immortal spark. Tornado - Decepticon Saboteur

2006 IDW Beast Wars continuity

Rhino often spoke spells in ancient Cybertronian to magically increase his abilities. Beast Wars Sourcebook #3

Cybertron comic

Ancient Cybertronian was the language spoken in the Thirteen's time. As such, Vector Prime was able to identify it when Skyfall muttered it in his coma. Revelations Part 1

2005 IDW continuity

It reads "I'VE GOT MY OWN," if you're wondering.

The Knights of Cybertron used "old Old Cybertronian" to leave a message inside the Matrix of Leadership, speaking of "many from one" (or "one from many") and a "guiding hand". The text served as a caption for the map contained within the Matrix. The text was somewhat translated by Rewind ten million years later. The Death of Optimus Prime

Neocybex came to prominence after Old Cybertronian fell to disuse. Rules of Disengagement Dai Atlas's name in Old Cybertronian was "Dei Atlas", meaning "God Map", which represented his desire to find the map leading to Cyberutopia. The Death of Optimus Prime The eight-million-year-old Cyclonus enjoyed singing in Old Cybertronian (with a Tetrahexian accent). The six-million-year-old Tailgate revered it as "the mother tongue" but didn't speak it himself, suggesting it had fallen into disuse by that time. Cybertronian Homesick Blues

In contrast, the residents of Microspace spoke ancient Cybertronian as their everyday language. Valley ForgeEnter the Shadow The language had similarities to Egyptian Arabic, suggesting prior influence by Microspace on Earth's history. Micronauts #7

In the present day, the Decepticon Justice Division member Vos was a "linguistic purist", speaking only in Old Cybertronian. Rules of Disengagement

Under the influence of an ancient Titan, Rodimus unconsciously scribbled the phrase "set me free" in Old Cybertronian on Tailgate. You, Me, and Other Revelations

When the "Revolutionaries" tracked down the Micronauts to help them find Action Man and the Talisman, Kup was insulted when Garrison Blackrock assumed that, as an ancient Cybertronian, he could speak ancient Cybertronian. Fortunately for the team, the Micronauts' leader Oziron Rael had learned English by that time, and was able to communicate with them. Enter the Shadow

Notes

• In the 2005 IDW continuity, spoken Old Cybertronian is represented by Cyberglyphics, though what they spell is frequently gibberish.