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Languages of the Known World

by argentmantle

These are some notes I was typing out for a project of mine...

There are many languages spoken in the Known World and many more that have faded into obscurity as the peoples that once spoken them have died out, been conquered, or evolved them into something else.

Thyatian is the most prevalent language in the Known World. The Empire of Thyatis has seemingly touched all the other nations as an ally, trading partner, neighbor, or for. It is the main language of the Empire of Thyatis, Darokin, Glantri, the ruling class in both Grand Duchy of Karameikos and Heldannic Freeholds. Thyatian is closest thing to a true common language in the Known World of Mystara.

Elvish is the language of the elves and naturally the language in the Elven nations of Alfheim, the City of the Stars, and Wendar. It is also spoken wherever elven communities have sprung up.

Orcish is the most prevalent language of the humanoids and especially the Broken Lands. Each individual race of goblinoids has their own individual languages.

Alphatian was the official language of the Alphatian Empire, its colonies, its allied kingdoms, and some of the Principalities of Glantri.

Bear Clan language is spoken as the trade tongue of the Atruaghin Clans due to the Clan’s endeavors to facilitate trade. Each of the Atruaghin clans has its own language spoken amongst their own people.

Traladaran is the language of the Traldaran people, the old ruling class and commoners, living in the Grand Duchy of Karameikos, this language was once spoken more widely as a trade tongue but has been supplanted by Thyatian. It is also spoken in Glantri.

Ylari or Alasiyan is the language spoken in the Emirates of Ylaruam.

Ethengarian is the language spoken nomadic people of the Ethengar Khanates, it is completely unrelated to any of the other tongues in the Known World.

Lalor is the old tongue of the Halflings, spoken by some of the elders in the Five Shires.

Antalian is the language spoken by the people of the Northern Reaches, spoken in Ostland, Soderfjord, Vestland, and the common folks of the Heldannic Freeholds.

Hulian or Hulean is the language of the desert lands of Hule and the nations that it has conquered.

Makai is the old common tongue of the Ierendi Islands, it has now been eclipsed by the Islanders’ use of Thyatian.

Minrothad Patois, or Minrothaddan, is a constantly evolving language spoken by the people of the Minrothad Guilds. It is constantly borrowing words from other languages when needed or creating new ones to communicate a thought.

Dwarvish is the language common to Rockhome and is spoken wherever dwarves gather together. It is also spoken by some people in the Northern Reaches.

Sindhi is the language spoken by most commoners in Sind and the old nobility, under the rule of Hule, however, all governmental business is done in Hulean.

Other Languages include Ochalean, Thothian, Horse Clan Sign Language, Flaemish, Goblin, Draconic, Malpheggi, Thieves Cant, and many others.

Dead Languages include Tanagoro, Milenian, Neathar, and Azcan-Oltec.

Naturally, there are more languages hidden in different books, I want to say there are some much larger and more comprehensive works on Pandius.