Common Tongue

The Common Tongue emerged from the remnants of Imperial Standard, the official language of the old empire that once united the continent of Valedra. Over time, the language evolved, absorbing elements from regional dialects like Nordic, Caerinthian, and Brisian trade pidgins. It became the primary tool for diplomacy, trade, and governance, ensuring smooth communication between regions with diverse cultural and linguistic roots.

Widely spoken by merchants, nobles, and commoners alike, the Common Tongue serves as the lingua franca across Valedra. Its influence extends from bustling marketplaces to royal courts, making it a symbol of unity and practicality. The language's smooth vowels (/a, e, i, o, u/) and simple consonants create an easy flow, with an emphasis on clarity. Its phonetic structure avoids complex clusters, with stress generally placed on the first syllable of words.

Grammatically, the Common Tongue is designed to be accessible. It features minimal inflection and relies heavily on prepositions and context to convey meaning. Plurals are formed by adding “-s” or “-es”, and possessives follow simple phrases like “the sword of the king.” This analytic structure ensures the language is adaptable and easy to learn, even for those whose native tongues differ widely.

The subject-verb-object (SVO) syntax provides a clear framework for both formal and casual communication. In sentences like “The merchant bought silk,” modifiers remain close to the words they describe, ensuring clarity. Adjectives precede nouns—“brave knight”—though modifiers can shift position for emphasis in more poetic or formal settings. For questions, inversion or markers such as “Did” convey meaning (“Did you see him?”).

With trade as one of its primary functions, the vocabulary of the Common Tongue draws heavily from commerce. Loanwords from Nordic and Drauwen dialects pepper everyday speech, reflecting the influence of regional diversity. Regional slang and colloquialisms flourish, enriching conversations in marketplaces and taverns across Valedra.

The writing system of the Common Tongue descends from Imperial script, featuring 28 letters with rounded shapes for smooth writing. For formal texts, inscriptions use bold, straight lines carved into stone or wood. A decimal numeric system accompanies the alphabet, common in trade and administration.

Phonetically, the language maintains balance between voiced (/b, d, g/) and voiceless (/p, t, k/) consonants. Glides like /w/ and /j/ create fluidity, ensuring the language remains smooth and melodic, even in noisy environments like docks or markets.

Tenses are simple, relying on auxiliary verbs to express past, present, and future actions (“I will go,” “I went”). The absence of complex conjugations makes the language easy for non-native speakers. Time relationships are clarified with contextual phrases like “I had already gone.”

The Common Tongue’s adaptability reflects the culture of Valedra: practical, inclusive, and built on cooperation. Its use ensures that merchants, nobles, and travelers alike can navigate the continent’s many regions with ease. Whether conducting business or negotiating peace, the Common Tongue serves as the unifying thread that binds the people of Valedra.