Languages

Various languages are common throughout Amallon, although most of them have stronger presences in specific lands. The major ones available to characters are listed below, followed by some notes on each one.
==Human Languages (Amallon)==
Alinduryi: The older language of the Alindorean Empire, which controlled much of Amallon but fell nearly 2000 years ago. While many modern languages developed from Alinduri few today still speak the original tongue. It is still used among some scholars and historians and many ancient texts and scrolls are found in this language. Think of it as similar to Latin today.
Almeidian: Almeidian is a decendant of Alinduri and is spoken primarily in Almeidi, Sitadori, and Deici. It is increasingly common in Matlisan as well. It has a rolling, melodious sound and is well suited to song and poetry. It is also spoken heavily among the sailors who ply the waters of Maraseri, as the Three Jewels are ports of frequent call. Semi-intelligible with Kendish. (Think Italian)
Ashuran: An expressive and elegant language spoken throughout the Ashuran Empire and considered a language of learning, refinement and civilization. Its speakers are often found throughout the centers of trade, commerce and travel in Amallon. (Think Arabic)
Common (Trade tongue): Common is essentially a mixture of vocabulary and grammar from various languages. It originally developed due to the need for a standard trade language. All characters from Amallon speak Common. As a language it is adequate for daily use but is not suited for specialized conversation (i.e. you can talk about the events of the day but the language isn't complex enough to discuss the finer points of magic or medicine, etc).
Draeg: The former language of ancient Keledon; modern Selmari is derived largely from it. Among some of the oldest Keledoni druids Draeg is still used as an almost liturgical language. Otherwise it has essentially vanished, although it may yet survive among some of the clansmen of the Ironfist Mountains. (Gaelic)
Eleren: Eleren is spoken in most of Lithend, Arden, Hithdurya and Pelerin. Its sound is harsher than the Alinduri tongues, and it bears far less influence from that language than do Kendish or Almeidian. Many of its verbs and nouns are onomatopeic and reflect the closer relationship with the natural world that characterized its ancient speakers. It also bears a slight touch of Ashani influence. (German)
Kendish: The language found throughout Akaryth, parts of Garthur and the western side of Darralshei. Decended from Alinduri but heavily influenced by Dansoka (a local tongue, now extinct). Semi-intelligible with Almeidian. Widely percieved as a language of culture and refinement. (French)
Rhesand: Traditional language of Matlisan and Shimarain, and widely understood throughout Salashar and Darralshei. Today it is showing marked influence from both Almeidian and Ashuran, causing concern among many scholars and purists. (Greek)
Rhida: A rough sounding language, full of harsh sounds but capable of great shades of meaning. Spoken throughout Ravenna, part of Garthur and most of Darralshei. (Romanian)
Selmari: The modern language of Keledon, Trenn, Sen, easternmost Lithend, and the northern third of Arden. Selmari combines a great deal of Draeg with borrowed grammatical structures and vocabulary from Alinduri. It is flexible and adaptable, absorbing loan words from other languages with ease. Selmari is a rapidly spreading tongue. (English)
Shabaati: Once the language of the people of Ashar, Shaabti now exists primarily as a liturgical language among the follows of the Tharani religion. (Coptic Egyptian)
==Demi Human Tongues==
Ashani: The tongue of that people. It does exist in four dialects across the race, but all are mutually intelligible to each other. Ashani was a strong influence on Alinduri, and therefore the languages that rose from it. It is a highly musical tongue and skilled speakers seem to be nearly chanting or singing.
Mardukese: Language of the Mardukim. Many human languages include loanwords from it, generally technical terms pertaining to craftsmanship, mining, and mysticism.
Category:Languages and Culture