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Human languages of Golarion

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There are countless human languages spoken on the surface of Golarion. Below is a sample of human languages spoken around the globe.

Contents

Common

Common is a relative term used to denote the most prevalent human language spoken in a particular region. For instance, Taldane (see below) is the most widely spoken language in Avistan and Garund and so is referred to as Common in the Inner Sea region. In Tian Xia, however, the most widely spoken language is Tien (see below), and so that is classed as Common on that continent. It may be that on other continents, other human languages are classed as Common.[1][2]

Dtang

Dtang is the tongue of the Tian ethnic group known as the Tian-Dtang who primarily inhabit the nation of Dtang Ma in southern Tian Xia.[3]

Erutaki

This is the native tongue of the Erutaki people of the Crown of the World.[4]

Hallit

This harsh tongue is spoken by the Kellid people originally from the north of Avistan and centers around survival and war.[5] Although many northern barbarian tribes use versions of Hallit that has no written form[6], at least one ancient one does exist.[7] It is spoken by a significant portion of the population in the following countries: Brevoy[8], Galt[9], Mendev[10], Nirmathas[11], Numeria[12], Razmiran[13], the River Kingdoms[14], and the Worldwound[15].

Hon-La

Hon-La is the native language of the Tian-La people who reside in northernmost Tian Xia, mostly in the nations of Hongal and Shaguang.[3]

Hwan

Hwan is the native language of the ethnic Tian-Hwan of Hwanggot, although it also became popular among those rebelling against the empire of Lung Wa and those who now fight against its Successor States.[3]

Kelish

Kelish is the language of the Great Padishah Empire of Kelesh far to the east of the Inner Sea.[5] It is a throaty, phlegmatic language, rich with poetry, scholarly writing, and history, having served the empire for countless generations. It is also widely spoken by the genies of that land.[16] It is widely spoken in the Inner Sea region in Absalom[17], Alkenstar[18], Geb[19], Katapesh[20], Nex[21], Taldor[22], and of course Qadira, the westernmost satrapy of the Great Empire[23]. The traders of Kelesh are so ubiquitous, that the language is even spoken by a sizeable minority in the great city of Goka, in distant Tian Xia.[3]

Minkaian

Minkaian[24], sometimes called 'Minkan', is spoken in the Minkai Empire as the native language of the Tian-Min peoples. The language is related to Tien (see below)[25], and is also very widely spoken in Tian Xia, especially the northern and central regions of that continent including, particularly, Jinin, Shokuro, Chu Ye, and Wanshou.[3]

Osiriani

This is the most widely spoken language on the continent of Garund. It is a direct descendant of Ancient Osiriani, which modern speakers can partially understand.[5] It is a majority language in Osirion[26], Alkenstar[18], Geb[19], Nex[21], and Thuvia[27], and spoken by a sizeable minority in Katapesh[20] and Rahadoum.[28]

Polyglot

Polyglot is the collective name given to the numerous dialects of the Mwangi tribesfolk inhabiting central and western Garund. Surprisingly, the various tribes can generally understand each other, and it is believed all the dialects are derived from an unknown root language.[5] Polyglot is spoken mainly in the Mwangi Expanse, the Shackles, and Sargava.

Words

  • ali "to be eaten"
  • mzali "the eaten palace" or "devoured palace", the name of the city of Mzali[29]

Shadowtongue

Spoken with any frequency only in the shadowy country of Nidal, Shadowtongue is a mix of Taldane, Infernal, and Azlanti.[30] It is a sibilant language of quiet hisses and whispered words. Many words are pronounced with a delicate intake of breath. Non-speakers who hear it often remark that it sounds like it is being spoken backwards. The strix of the Devil's Perch mountains in nearby Cheliax refer to it as Whisprin and believe that it is not only inherently evil, but that it is the cause of Nidal's cultural malignancy.[31] Shadowtongue is the official language of Nisroch.[32]

Shoanti

Spoken by the Shoanti people of Varisia, this language has many similarities to Hallit, Varisian, Giant, and ancient Thassilonian.[30][33] A person who speaks any of these three language can communicate basic ideas to a Shoanti, although learning the language is necessary to truly earn these proud people's trust.[34]

Skald

Skald is the language of the people of the far north-west of Avistan, the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. It sounds both sonorous and harsh to the southern ear and has a chanting, sing-songy quality. Skald uses the dwarven alphabet with a few letters imported from Taldane.[5] Other than in its homeland, it is also spoken in Brevoy[8], Irrisen[35], and Ustalav.[36]

Taldane (Common)

Taldane is the most widely spoken language in Avistan and Garund, indeed it is often referred to as Common in the entire Inner Sea region. It is a trade language which takes its alphabet from ancient Jistka and its numerals from Kelish. Most of the terms and grammar are based on ancient Azlanti, although Taldane also borrows from Varisian.[5] It is thought to be one of the oldest human languages still spoken in the Inner Sea region, and is certainly the most widely-spoken.[30]

Tien (Common)

This complex language is spoken by the Tian people from regions of the once great Imperial Lung Wa; its use is so prevalent it is often referred to as Common within Tian Xia region. It contains nearly 24,000 pictographs and is a tonal language with thousands of homophones.[5][30]

Varisian

Varisian is the language of the native Varisian people of Varisia. Vocabulary and grammar are based on a mix of Orc, Taldane, Giant, ancient Thassilonian, and a now defunct proto-Varisian language.[5] It is known for its subtle nuances and double-meanings, and is a perfect tool for innuendo.[30] It is spoken by a minority of the population of any of the countries these nomadic people have traveled to or settled in over the millennia including Brevoy,[8] Lastwall,[37] Molthune,[38] Nidal,[39], Nirmathas,[11], and Ustalav.[36]

Varki

Varki is the native language of the semi-nomadic Varki people who live in the far north of Golarion, centred in Icemark in the Lands of the Linnorm Kings.[40]

Vudrani

Vudrani is believed to have been born in the Dhavala River basin in distant Vudra, and has been heavily influenced by both Tien and Kelesh. Speakers tend to add many prefixes and suffixes in conversation, making for many difficult-to-pronounce and lengthy words.[5] It is the primary language of Vudra, and people there believe that it is the tongue of the gods.[41] It is also spoken on the island of Jalmeray[42], and in Katapesh[20] and Nex[21].


Languages of the Pathfinder Chronicles campaign setting

Human languages • Dead languages • Darklands languages • Nonhuman languages • Languages of the Great Beyond

References

  1. ↑ Judy Bauer. (1 March 2012). List of Languages, Paizo Forum.
  2. ↑ Rob McCreary. (1 December 2011). Pathfinder Adventure Path #52: Forest of Spirits (Jade Regent 4 of 6), Paizo Product Forum.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 James Jacobs, Dave Gross, Rob McCreary. (2011). Dragon Empires Gazetteer, p. 49-50. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-379-8
  4. ↑ Jason Nelson. (2011). NPC Gallery. The Hungry Storm, p. 58. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-374-3
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 220. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  6. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 41. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  7. ↑ Tim Hitchcock. (2008). Hungry Are the Dead, p. 14. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-120-6
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 66. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  9. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 74. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  10. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 98. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 112. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  12. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 114. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  13. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 124. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  14. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 126. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  15. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 148. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  16. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 24-25. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  17. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 54. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 58. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 76. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 86. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 108. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  22. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 136. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  23. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 120. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  24. ↑ Dave Gross. (2011). The Raccoon Dog (Husks). Forest of Spirits, p. 76. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-380-4
  25. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 33. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  26. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 116. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  27. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 138. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  28. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 122. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  29. ↑ Tim Hitchcock et al. (2010). Heart of the Jungle, p. 38-39. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-247-0
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4 James Jacobs et al. (2011). The Inner Sea World Guide, p. 251. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-269-2
  31. ↑ Erik Mona & Jason Bulmahn. (2008). Gazetteer, p. 17. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-077-3
  32. ↑ Joshua J. Frost et al. (2009). Cities of Golarion, p. 37. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-200-5
  33. ↑ James Jacobs, Colin McComb, Sean K Reynolds, Amber Scott, and Larry Wilhelm. (2011). Humans of Golarion, p. 16. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-315-6
  34. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 147. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  35. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 80. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 140. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  37. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 90. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  38. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 102. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  39. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 110. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  40. ↑ Greg A. Vaughan. (2011). NPC Gallery. Night of Frozen Shadows, p. 58. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-366-8
  41. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 39. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
  42. ↑ Erik Mona et al. (2008). Campaign Setting, p. 84. Paizo Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-60125-112-1
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