Common Tongue

The Common Tongue is the de-facto language of international trade, foreign affairs, and global communication throughout the continent of Tirónar.

## History

Originating on the continent of Senfara, the Common Tongue was brought to Tirónar during the height of the Waldren Trade Enterprise, who popularized its usage on the continent through centuries of imperialist rule.
In the modern day, the “Common Tongue” of Senfara and the “Common Tongue’’ of Tirónar are two separate languages. The latter didn’t remain unchanged from Senfara’s language during the Waldren Occupation, but evolved to absorb elements of Tirónar’s indigenous languages as well. Both are somewhat understandable to native speakers of the other, but only barely. The connection is less similar to British versus American English, and more to Irish English and American English

## Global Use

It is unclear whether the Common Tongue is also the norm throughout the rest of the Mortal Realm, but this seems unlikely.

While most of the traders and foreign leaders that we've seen visit Duilintinn can speak the Common Tongue, this may simply be a matter of convenience. It's easier for a well-traveled merchant or a wealthy noble to learn a new language than it is to teach an entire continent how to speak their native tongue in time for their visit.

Obviously, translators are also an option, but I find it easier to believe that regular visitors would learn the Common Tongue than to believe that the entire Mortal Realm has a single, agreed-upon "universal" language in a pre-internet society.

Technically, the “Common Tongue” of Senfara and the “Common Tongue” of Tirónar are two separate languages.

The latter didn’t remain unchanged from Senfara’s language during the Waldren Occupation, but evolved to absorb elements of Tirónar’s indigenous languages as well.

Both are somewhat understandable to native speakers of the other, but only barely. The connection is less similar to British versus American English, and more to Irish English and American English.

## Duilintinn Use

The most common language spoken in Duilintinn is the Common Tongue, which originated in Waldren and now features several different variants and accents throughout Tirónar. There are three accents of this language spoken in Duilintinn: a Feadhainn accent, a Waldren accent, and a “default” accent that doesn’t sound like either. The Feadhainn accent sounds vaguely Irish and mostly is found west of the Guardian River, while the Waldren accent sounds like a stereotypical “posh” British accent and is mostly found east of the Guardian River.

The Feadhainn Language, which originated in the Draoidh Valley and Monaidh Plains, has been mostly forgotten. Until recently, it has only been preserved through the names of locations and a few culturally significant phrases passed down through the generations. In an effort to preserve the language, while most landmarks in Duilintinn have had several names over the years, modern Duilintinn officially recognizes the old Feadhainn names for the majority of these landmarks. In addition, groups of historians have begun to uncover old texts that seem to be in Feadhainn and are attempting to revive the script and language through these discoveries.

Duilintinn has had a form of universal sign language since its founding. While it is used throughout the kingdom, it is extremely common among members of The Watch, who use it during their operations.

Finally, Duilintinn’s population is diverse enough that many other languages spoken in Tirónar are also spoken in the kingdom.

### Duil Colloquialisms

People from Duilintinn have a variety of colloquialisms that distinguish their use of the Common Tongue from that in other parts of Tirónar.

#### Sam-isms

Samwise the King’s Eye has become a national symbol of Duilintinn’s culture. As such, many of Duilintinn’s colloquialisms reference him. These include, but aren’t limited to:

* How in Sam’s name
* By the Eye
* What in the name of the King’s [optional explicative] Eye

#### The Enemy

Meanwhile, using “The Enemy” as an explicative would be like a major swear. Like if you say “Enemy take you” or something similar, you are burning ALL of those bridges right then and there. Everyone knows someone who The Enemy did take through his puppetry, so saying something like that is going to hit a nerve. It’s basically like saying “go to hell,” except, in this case, everyone has actually seen people get dragged to hell already.

That being said, “Enemy take it all,” when directed at a general situation rather than a person, is sometimes used. It’s a very intense curse, but heck, these are intense times. Not everyone might approve depending on their sensitivity to such things, but they’ll certainly understand.

The less intense version of all these explicatives is, of course, saying “Anti” instead of “The Enemy.” I still wouldn’t recommend saying it to a person, unless you both know it’s a morbid joke (gallows humor and all that). And swearing at situations, in general, using “Anti” is basically the equivalent of simultaneously saying, “This sucks and so does The Enemy, he can have this entire mess, the incompetent bastard,” because you’re using the mocking nickname.

#### Lord-isms

Some people will reference the missing Lords, either out of reverence or sometimes humor. These range from phrases as simple as “Oh my lords” to ones as ridiculous as “You’re so stupid, the Lords are returning even as we speak just to tell you to shut up.” Some reference specific lords, with the name of King Sean himself being particularly popular to evoke. Lord Schneeplestein, with his unique accent and manner of speaking, has accidentally coined a few popular phrases as people imitate his iconic mannerisms.

#### Misc Others

Finally, religious sayings are still used among members of those demographics. This includes those who revere the Fae being known as Ocean Man, who often evoke his name in phrases such as “Holy Ocean Man.”