Pirate Speak Translator

Talk like a pirate in seconds. Type any English and the translator swaps in pirate words (hello → ahoy, friend → matey, money → doubloons, stop → avast, the → th’), drops the g from -ing words (sailin’, lookin’) and can sprinkle in interjections like “Arrr!”, “Shiver me timbers!” and “savvy?”. It is perfect for Talk Like a Pirate Day on 19 September, party invitations, game nights and messages to fellow landlubbers.

How to use this tool

1. Type or paste your text.
2. Leave interjections on for the full effect, or turn them off for a plainer translation.
3. Change the variation number to get a different mix of interjections.
4. Copy yer pirate speak.

Formula

Word list swaps (about 120 words and phrases) + -ing → -in’ + random interjections at the start or end of some sentences

Phrases are matched first, longest first, so “how are you” becomes “how be ye” as a whole. Forms of be (am, is, are) become be, you and your become ye and yer, and my becomes me. Words ending in -ing of five letters or more lose their g, except words like king, ring, sing and thing where -ing is not an ending. Capitals are kept. Interjections are chosen with a seeded random generator, so the same variation number always gives the same result.

Example

With interjections off, the sample becomes “Ahoy me mateys! Be all hands ready fer th' party? Bring yer doubloons an' some grub, we be leavin' fer th' beach in th' mornin'.” With them on, some sentences also gain an “Arrr!” or a “, me hearty”.