Common
Common is the trade language of Avalor. Almost every sentient, civilized being speaks a smattering of it, and most are fluent. While most can not read or write in the language, it is by far the most common spoken language.
Most attribute the creation of Common to Omar the Illustrious, the first ruler of the Sultanate of Jur’am. Seeking to unify the Qadiri people and elevate Jur'am as a beacon of civilization, Omar commissioned his nation's scholars to create what is now called Old Common, a standardized language drawn from the region’s diverse dialects. Through trade and diplomacy, the language quickly spread outside of his borders due to its ease and simplicity. It evolved into Eastern Common and Western Common, the dominant trade languages of the modern age.
Common is the primary language of humans and generally associated most closely with them. Although humans initially conceived the Common tongue, it is not the native language of a number of human cultures across Avalor. Languages such as Ryūhongo exist as more ancient forms of human vernacular.
Common Dialects
Common has a number of dialects across Avalor, most of which utilize Thorass as their alphabet.Eastern Common
Eastern Common is the primary language of Eastern Vidrea, recognizable by its soft, flowing consonants and sharp tonal shifts that lend it a melodic quality. Developed by the Shānrén to facilitate trade, it incorporates elements of Shānwén, blending harmonious syllables with subtle inflections that add layers of meaning. It was later spread across the Far East through the conquests of the Krulan people, becoming a key language for diplomacy and commerce in eastern regions.Old Common
Old Common is an ancient language with resonant, rolling consonants and lyrical intonations, designed for both precision and poetic expression. Created by Omar the Illustrious to unify the Sultanate of Jur’am, it borrows from Ancient Qadiri dialects and uses the Thorass alphabet for simplicity and accessibility. Though it has largely fallen out of use, Old Common is still studied by priests and scholars to unlock the meanings of sacred texts and ancient records, as well as to perform religious rites to Erathis.Western Common
Western Common is the predominant language of Western Vidrea, characterized by its fluid and straightforward structure, with clipped consonants and smooth vowel transitions that make it efficient for trade and negotiation. Originating as a trade language, it was adopted by the Etesian people of the ancient Ithean Empire and spread through their territories along the Sea of Riches. Functional and utilitarian, Western Common borrows heavily from Dwarvish and Elvish slang and expressions, making it a flexible but unembellished language for commerce and diplomacy.Writing System
Common utilizes Thorass, the alphabet of the now-dead Old Common.
Geographical Distribution
Nearly everyone living in a multicultural settlement in Avalor speaks some form of Common as a second language, including non-humans. Those in more secluded or homogenous areas speak it poorly, but most can get by.
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