Sign Language

Hireath has a universal spoken language: The Common Tongue, and to date, no other spoken language has been recorded, though of course accents, dialects, slang, proverbs etc will vary between herds and even regions within herds. As such, there are no spoken language barriers in Hireath.
Sign language works a bit differently. Most equines aren't fluent in sign language, and it is rarely used in trade and big business, so sign language doesn't really have a global spread. As a result, sign language is unique to each region. Although all of them are based on the Common Tongue, two signers from different herds may as well be speaking different languages: the signs used for individual words and concepts will vary wildly between cultures. Ex: the Seroran sign for 'wind' will be dramatically different from the Aodhian sign. 
Sign language involves the movement of the head (including isolated organs such as the mouth, nostrils and ears), tail, and hooves. Stomps, flicks, twitches are common.
Support for mute and deaf individuals also varies between the herds. Talori and War-Forged are notoriously ableist; unless the individual is lucky enough to have another signer in their life, they may have to create their own unique signs and patterns to communicate.
Breim and Aodh, being the most developed herds, have schools that offer sign language programs.
Serora is the winner, though. One out of three Serorans are fluent (or near fluent) in sign language, regardless of their ability to hear or speak. This is because Serorans have a unique collectivist culture that stimulates a strong desire to support and provide for every member of their herd. It's also helpful for communication in conditions where sound is compromised, such as during sand storms or high on the steppes of Osulas where the wind doesn't feel like letting you speak all that clearly. Children typically learn sign from parents, caretakers or another guardian figure.
A Vagabond's signs would depend on their origins and who they've communicated with during their lives. Like Talorians and the Forged, it's not uncommon for a Vagabond to have their own unique signs, or none at all if they travel completely alone. If a Vagabond communicates with a known sign language, its probably the Seroran version, as Sedo is historically accepting of wanderers in their territory.
Category:Lore