Language

The languages of the Realms have a long history and great depth, even if most people understand each other. The greater differences are really found between races such as Humans, Elves, Dwarves and so on.

Human Language

Wide trade and exchange has kept the individual local dialects fairly similar, but they still have distinct tones and even different words for things between Kingdoms and even cities (or city districts!).

Common and its dialects

Normally called 'Common', the way to speak decently to one another, the 'language' is understood by just about everyone. It is similar to modern Swedish and Norwegian; Swedes and Norwegians can understand one another in speech and text, but it's also clear they are different languages.

The dialects are not as different as modern Swedish/Norwegian, nor as different as some of the Anglo/Saxon languages of the Anglian kingdoms, but they are different enough to be an important social implication when speaking to people. However, this similarity makes the differences more important! If you have an Oakshield accent speaking to people from the Kingdom of Haldean, they will treat you worse than if you had a Vasj accent, and would even treat you well if it was a Wyny accent. Naturally, if you speak with an Haldean accent, you will be treated like a local (that is, friendly as long as you have the right paperwork).

Each kingdom has a dialect, and each dialect sounds sort of similar to dialects of the kingdoms surrounding that dialect. Though it's perfectly acceptable to speak a Kingdom's general accent, Even within one Kingdom, there are different dialects in each city and land area (within and without the walls of Capitoleum there are even entirely different dialects). There can be many advantages of being able to speak a particular accent at a particular time.

Lingua

Much of the Common language is based on Lingua, a now dead language that was spoken in the distant past in the Realms. Poetry, naming of things, religious sermons and similar uses are now the only things the language is good for. That and certain scholars with an interest in talking down to people in a truly elegant manner.

When Lingua was a living language it did of course have dialects and etymologists can see a change in the language over time, but anyone reading, writing or speaking it today make no such distinctions.

Elven Language

Elven language evolved from Quenya, the language given to them by the goddess Belindril, the Mother of Elves. Like Lingua, it is a language mainly used by officials for rituals, to engrave buildings or to write laws. It is a language only elven scholars learn and perhaps the most die-hard elfophile.

Sindarin is the language most used by elves, though it also has minor dialect differences between places, similar to the human Common language. Each of the Lofty Peaks have a particular dialect and each of the five elven cities as well.

Elven culture is generally more strict, however, and it is very hard to hear the differences between their dialects for an outsider. An elf will immediately know if a person is a native speaker or not, depending on the use of dialect, even if most others would just hear "Elven".

Dwarven Language

Work in progress. :)

• Dwarven

Halfling Language

• Halfling

Dragon Language

• Draconic

Hawk Language

• Acci/Accipiter

Language of Magic

• Veni

It's impossible to gain any significant amount of skill in Spellcraft without knowing Veni, but it's also a dangerous language as just speaking it can activate the magic hidden within it. Generally, it is only every written down in mundane ink on mundane paper and spoken in safe phrases and words when discussing spells, not whole sentences.

Ratel Language

• Burrow

Black Language

• Nigrum

Roleplaying

See main article: Languages (D20 SRD)