Page from a mage book in the common tongue
There are several languages among the populations and races of Thedas. Some have been lost with the passing of time and replaced by others.
Languages
- Alamarri was the language used in Ferelden prior to the adoption of the Trade tongue. It was similar to the Avvar and Chasind languages but has not been in use for hundreds of years.[1]
- Ander in the Anderfels
- Antivan in Antiva
- Avvar language used by the Avvar tribes.[1] Saga of Tyrdda Bright-Axe was originally written in an "ancient language" of the Avvar.[2]
- Chasind language used by the Chasind tribes.[1]
- Ciriane, the language of the Ciriane tribe who first settled central Orlais.[3]
- The common tongue, also referred as the King's Tongue or Trade tongue, was invented by the dwarves in order to trade with each other and later introduced to other races.[4][5] It's the dominant language in most human nations. It was spread throughout Thedas by the Tevinter Imperium after they adopted it from the dwarves.[6]
- There is a discrepancy between descriptions of common and trade language. David Gaider's forum comment describes Trade as the dominant tongue of Thedas, originating from the dwarves.[4] World of Thedas Volume 1 describes the common tongue as the dominant language in most human nations, originating from the Alamarri.[7]
- There were several languages spoken by the dwarves, with the trade tongue being created to facilitate trade between different dwarven kingdoms. What humans generally think of as "dwarven" is actually the language of Orzammar specifically.[4]
- The elven language or Elvish[8] was largely lost when Elvhenan fell. In modern-day Thedas, elves speak the common tongue and only know few Elvish words (the Dalish know a few more and use them more frequently).
- Qunlat, the Qunari language.
- Orlesian in Orlais.[4][9] Most Orlesians are bilingual; the Orlesian language is primarily spoken in isolated communities of marshmen.[10]
- Rivaini in Rivain.
- Tevene is the ancient language of the Tevinter Imperium. Phrases from the language continue to be peppered into speech as signs of education and social standing, though Trade is used for general communication.[11] "Colorful phrases" also continue to remain in use by all classes.[12] People who are not from Tevinter usually call the language Tevinter.[13] The annums (annual holidays) in the Thedosian calendar use a high name from Ancient Tevene, and a low name (Trade tongue).[14][15]
Notes
- In Dragon Age: The Silent Grove, the witch Yavana speaks in an unknown tongue to a High dragon. There is not further information about this language.[16]
- Dwarven runes are used on signs by the dwarves as well as by the humans on the surface. In the latter case, they are used instead of the native language, as it is common for peasants to not be able to read.[17]
- "Tomb-script"[18] is used as an alphabet in Nevarra's Necropolis for magical and occult dealings[19], but is not the Nevarran language.[20]
- The 'common tongue' is the most common language of Ferelden.[21]
- The Keepers are supposed to be the only ones who know the secret of writing the elven language.[9]
Trivia
- During the development on Dragon Age: Origins, BioWare hired a linguist (who went by the username "Beesechurger" on the old forum) to work on elven and Dwarven languages and phrases, but opted to use only some words or phrases.[22][23]
Gallery
"Swords and Shields" written in the common tongue.
"Tales of The Champion" written in Orlesian.
Mage book in ancient Tevene.
Mage book in the common tongue.
Runes written in ancient Dwarven.
Dwarven runes carved into a door.
Battle map from the Fourth Blight, featuring a rare example of written Elvish.
A stone tablet placed at the Solasan temple.
Signs and banners in various languages.
A sign placed on dead bodies.
Text from a book in the common tongue.
Text from a miscellaneous book.
