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[[File:Mage book 2.jpg|thumb|230px|Page from a mage book in the common tongue]]
There are several languages among the populations and races of [[Thedas]]. Some were lost with the passing of time and were replaced by others.
 
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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 ==
 
== Languages ==
* '''Ander''' in [[Anderfels]]<ref name="rpg37">''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Player's Guide, set 1, p. 37</ref>
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* '''Ander''' in the [[Anderfels]]
* '''Antivan''' in [[Antiva]]<ref name="rpg37"/>
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* '''Antivan''' in [[Antiva]]
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* '''Ciriane''', the language of the [[Human tribes#Ciriane|Ciriane tribe]] who first settled central [[Orlais]].<ref>{{Cite wot2|74}}</ref>
* The '''common tongue''', also referred as the '''King's Tongue''' or '''Trade tongue''', was introduced by dwarves to [[human]]s in order to trade with each other.<ref name="language">{{BSN|author=[[David Gaider]]|date=2010|url=http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/306/index/5481839/3%26lf%3D8#5721833|title=The Official Fenris Discussion thread}}</ref><ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne]]'', Chapter 14</ref> It is also the most common language of [[Ferelden]].<ref>''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Player's Guide, set 1, p. 20</ref>
 
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* The '''common tongue''', also referred as the '''King's Tongue''' or '''Trade tongue''', was invented by the [[Dwarf|dwarves]] in order to trade with each other and later introduced to other races.<ref name="language">{{BWF|author=[[David Gaider]]|date=January 14, 2011|title=The Official Fenris Discussion thread|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730153417/https://forum.bioware.com/topic/155545-the-official-fenris-discussion-thread/page-3?bioware=1&bwp=1|access=June 12, 2014}}</ref><ref>''[[Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne]]'', Chapter 14</ref>
* The '''[[Dwarf|dwarves]]''' had several dialects,<ref name="language"/> but they are no longer generally spoken, and only a few [[Dwarf#Languages and phrases|phrases]] remain in common usage. Some of the words have roots which predate the dates that dwarves made contact with elves or humans.<ref name="wot40">{{Cite wot|40}}</ref> In current times, it is rarely ever spoken, however the dwarves of [[Kal-Sharok]] still retain the accent of this ancient language due to their isolation from the rest of the world.
 
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* The '''[[Dwarven languages and phrases|dwarven language]]''' is no longer spoken in the [[Dragon Age (time period)|present day]]. Only a few words and phrases remain in common usage.<ref name="language"/>
* The '''[[Elven language]]''' or '''Elvish'''<ref>[[Tamlen]], for example, refers to the language as "Elvish" at the beginning of the [[Dalish Elf Origin]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''.</ref> was largely lost when [[Elvhenan]] fell to the [[Tevinter Imperium]]. In modern-day Thedas, [[Elf|elves]] use some Elvish words (the Dalish more frequently than city elves), but speak the common tongue on a regular basis. [[Keeper]]s are the only ones who know the secret of writing it.<ref name="rpg37"/>
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* The '''[[elven language]]''' or '''Elvish'''<ref>[[Tamlen]], for example, refers to the language as "Elvish" at the beginning of the [[Dalish Elf Origin]] in ''[[Dragon Age: Origins]]''.</ref> was largely lost when [[Elvhenan]] fell. In modern-day Thedas, [[Elf|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.<ref>''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Player's Guide, set 2, p. 33</ref>
 
* '''Orlesian''' in [[Orlais]]<ref name="rpg37"/><ref name="language"/>
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* '''[[Qunlat]]''', the [[Qunari]] language.
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* '''Orlesian''' in [[Orlais]].<ref name="language"/><ref name="rpg37">''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Player's Guide, set 1, p. 37</ref> Most Orlesians are bilingual, this language is primarily spoken in isolated communities of marshmen.<ref>Mentioned in dialogue by [[Cassandra Pentaghast]].</ref>
* '''Rivaini''' in [[Rivain]]<ref name="rpg37"/>
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* '''Rivaini''' in [[Rivain]].
* '''Tevene''' is the current [[Tevinter Imperium#Imperial language|language]] in the Tevinter Imperium. People that are not Tevinter usually call the language '''Tevinter'''.<ref>[https://twitter.com/BioMaryKirby/status/228278495275515904 Mary Kirby twitter]</ref>
 
** '''Ancient Tevene''' is the ancient and dead language of Tevinter Imperium. The annums (annual holidays) in the Thedosian [[calendar]] use a high name from Ancient Tevene, and a low name (Trade tongue).<ref>''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Player's Guide, set 1, p. 14</ref>
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* '''[[Tevene]]''' is the current language in the Tevinter Imperium. People who are not Tevinter usually call the language '''Tevinter'''.<ref>{{Twitter|author=[[Mary Kirby]]|url=https://twitter.com/BioMaryKirby/status/228278495275515904}}</ref>
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** '''Ancient Tevene''' is the ancient and dead language of the Tevinter Imperium. The annums (annual holidays) in the Thedosian [[calendar]] use a high name from Ancient Tevene, and a low name (Trade tongue).<ref>''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Player's Guide, set 1, p. 14</ref>
   
 
== Notes ==
 
== Notes ==
* In ''[[Dragon Age: The Silent Grove]]'', the witch [[Yavana]] speaks in an unknown tongue to a [[High dragon]]. However further information about this tongue is not known.<ref>See [[:File:Dragonic.png|here]].</ref>
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* 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.<ref>See [[:File:Dragonic.png|here]].</ref>
 
* 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.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: Asunder]]'', p. 128</ref>
 
* 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.<ref>''[[Dragon Age: Asunder]]'', p. 128</ref>
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{{Tabletop RPG material}}
 
* The 'common tongue' is the most common language of [[Ferelden]].<ref>''[[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG)]]'', Player's Guide, set 1, p. 20</ref>
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* The [[Keeper]]s are supposed to be the only ones who know the secret of writing the elven language.<ref name="rpg37"/>
   
 
== Trivia ==
 
== 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, but opted to use only some words or phrases.<ref>{{BSN|author=[[David Gaider]]|date=2010|url=http://social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/47/index/560850/1%26lf%3D8#579295|title=Writers of Dragon Age|access=June 6, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{BW old forums|author=[[David Gaider]]|url=http://www.dragonagecentral.com/single/1255568100|archive=http://social.bioware.com/%3C/span%3Ehttp:/social.bioware.com/forum/1/topic/9/index/23772#23808|access=June 6, 2012}}</ref>
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* 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.<ref>{{BWF|author=[[David Gaider]]|date=2010|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413044639/http://forum.bioware.com/topic/43582-writers-of-dragon-age|title=Writers of Dragon Age|access=June 6, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{BW old forums|author=[[David Gaider]]|url=http://www.dragonagecentral.com/single/1255568100|archive=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104194324/http://forum.bioware.com/topic/1016-is-there-different-language-in-dragon-age-origins/|access=June 6, 2012}}</ref>
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== Gallery ==
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<gallery spacing="small" widths="150" columns="4" orientation="square" position="center">
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Swords and Shields book cover.jpg|"Swords and Shields" written in the common tongue.
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Champion of Kirkwall book cover.png|"Tales of The Champion" written in Orlesian.
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Mage book 4.jpg|Mage book in ancient Tevene.
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Mage book 5.jpg|Mage book in the common tongue.
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Dwarven runes.png|Runes written in ancient Dwarven.
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Dwarvenrunes.jpg|Dwarven runes carved into a door.
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Last Flight Battle Map.png|Battle map from the [[Fourth Blight]], featuring a rare example of written Elvish.
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Solasan inscription.png|A stone tablet placed at the [[Solasan]] temple.
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signs.png|Signs and banners in various languages.
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Bodiessigninquisition.png|A sign placed on dead bodies.
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Inquisitionbook-text.jpg|Text from a book in the common tongue.
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Bookmisc-text-1.jpg|Text from a miscellaneous book.
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</gallery>
   
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
 
{{Scroll box|<references/>}}
 
{{Scroll box|<references/>}}
 
[[Category:Languages| ]]
 
[[Category:Lore]]
 
[[Category:Lore]]
[[Category:Languages]]
 

Revision as of 08:17, 22 May 2020

Mage book 2

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

  • Ander in the Anderfels
  • Antivan in Antiva
  • Ciriane, the language of the Ciriane tribe who first settled central Orlais.[1]
  • 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.[2][3]
  • The dwarven language is no longer spoken in the present day. Only a few words and phrases remain in common usage.[2]
  • The elven language or Elvish[4] 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.[2][5] Most Orlesians are bilingual, this language is primarily spoken in isolated communities of marshmen.[6]
  • Rivaini in Rivain.
  • Tevene is the current language in the Tevinter Imperium. People who are not Tevinter usually call the language Tevinter.[7]
    • Ancient Tevene is the ancient and dead language of the Tevinter Imperium. The annums (annual holidays) in the Thedosian calendar use a high name from Ancient Tevene, and a low name (Trade tongue).[8]

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.[9]
  • 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.[10]
BioWare canon
The following information is only mentioned in Dragon Age Tabletop. Certain portions of this media may no longer reflect currently established lore.

  • The 'common tongue' is the most common language of Ferelden.[11]
  • The Keepers are supposed to be the only ones who know the secret of writing the elven language.[5]

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.[12][13]

Gallery

References

  1. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 74
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 BSN David Gaider (January 14, 2011). "The Official Fenris Discussion thread" . The BioWare Forum. Retrieved on June 12, 2014.
  3. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne, Chapter 14
  4. Tamlen, for example, refers to the language as "Elvish" at the beginning of the Dalish Elf Origin in Dragon Age: Origins.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Player's Guide, set 1, p. 37
  6. Mentioned in dialogue by Cassandra Pentaghast.
  7. Twitter icon Mary Kirbyhttps://twitter.com/BioMaryKirby/status/228278495275515904 . Twitter.
  8. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Player's Guide, set 1, p. 14
  9. See here.
  10. Dragon Age: Asunder, p. 128
  11. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Player's Guide, set 1, p. 20
  12. BSN David Gaider (2010). "Writers of Dragon Age" . The BioWare Forum. Retrieved on June 6, 2012.
  13. BioWare old forums David Gaider[1] (archive). BioWare Forums (offline). Retrieved on June 6, 2012.