Science fiction book with two alien races, female protagonist

Hello. I'm looking for the name and/or author of what I think is the first book in a series (mass market paperbacks) that was published between 1999 and 2003 or so. From what I remember, the plot concerned two alien races, one more technologically advanced (and dominant) than the other. Although the more primitive race knew of technology, I think some of it appeared to be magic. I also think the protagonist was a female, perhaps a sort of young priestess/monk (who was possibly being trained by an elder one) at the beginning. Anyway, I vaguely remember the protagonist searching for some kind of creature (e.g. scorpion-like) underneath a rock in the opening chapter. It was quite long and included a lengthy glossary of original terms created by the author at the end. If I remember correctly, many of the terms consisted significantly of consonants. If anyone has any idea about this I would deeply appreciate it.

Probably a long shot, but could it be Harry Harrison's West of Eden? The dominant, "alien" race in that series are intelligent lizards, descended from dinosaurs, who "grow" much of their technology from plants and animals; the inferior race is basically humans at an early Neolithic / hunter-gatherer level. If I recall correctly, the first chapter has a group of humans hunting for prey in a rocky area along the coast.

I don't think that's it. If I remember correctly, this story doesn't take place on Earth. The book you mentioned does look interesting, though.

Very, very long shot: C. J. Cherryh's The Faded Sun: Kesrith. She provides vocabulary lists sometimes, although I don't recall a formal list associated with the Faded Sun series. Is it a desert planet? Is it set immediately after an interstellar war?

I also don't think it's The Faded Sun: Kesrith. From what I remember, the author was male and the book was first published between 1999 and 2003. Also, while I'm not sure if the planet was a desert, I do remember it being quite hot during the day. Furthermore, as she was looking for the creature in the beginning, the protagonist seemed to make parallels between the creature and life in general.

I don't think it is this book, but for some reason your description reminds me of The Sacrifice by Kristine Kathryn Rusch.

After reading the book description, I can see how it would remind you of The Sacrifice. Unfortunately, it's not the one. Thank you, though.

Possibly Ring of Five Dragons by Eric Van Lustbader?

Yes, antqueen, this is the book I was thinking about! Thank you very much for your help.