Languages of Talavai

Ordered aproximately by the probability of each language being encountered by someone in The Cahnars. To sum up briefly, Elian is the language of peasants, Draconic (and sometimes Elvish) is the language of the middle and upper classes, Scalesign is the most prolific sign language, and Aquasign, Nunan, and Ura are native to underwater creatures, the Nunangat peoples, and The Daku Wilds respectively.

Elian

The dominant language on the continent of Elia. Has no official corresponding sign language though many who speak Elian and not Draconic know Scalesign (see below). Descended from (and thus bearing some similarity to) Elvish. Dialects include: "Continental" (the standard in The Cahnars, "Peninsular", "Islander", and "Ash".

Draconic

The language of trade, diplomacy, and scholarship across the world, due to globe-spanning dominance of the dragons in the previous millenium. Corresponds to "Scalesign", the most widely used sign language. The "Old" dialect is more likely to be used by scholars and by actual dragonkin, whereas the "Modern" dialect is more likely to be used by merchants and aristocrats.

Aquasign

Actually an off-shoot/application of Aquan/Primordial (see below), aquasign is the most commonly used language of non-psychic subaquatic creatures the world over, since sound doesn't transmit well underwater. Spoken by merfolk, sea elves, tritons, and water elementals, as well as terrestrial creatures who are frequently in contact with them. Dialects include "Freshwater" and "Saltwater".

Nunan

The language of the Nunangat people. Has a sign language with no separate name (both spoken and signed forms are called "Nunan"). Believed to share a common linguistic ancestor with Ura, and possibly an even more distant ancestor with Elvish.

Elvish

A dying language of old, preserved mostly by elvish/Chian nationalists who want to preserve their bloodlines' traditions. Rarely spoken outside of the nobility of The Guo Empire. Has an associated (but rarely used) sign language, "Elfsign". Dialects include "Northern" and "Southern".

Ura

A language native to The Daku Wilds. No standard sign language, but conventions for expressing it in sign do exist though they vary by location. Elian (and somtimes Nunan) is spoken commonly in the regions of The Daku Wilds closest to The Dents, with Ura being increasingly common further away from the mountains; pidgins and creoles of the two tongues are common in the belt between these inner and outer regions. Ura is also one of the most common languages among monsters.

Other

• Primordial (elementals; Aquan, Terran, Pyran, and Auran dialects)
• Sylvan (faeries)
• Thieves' Cant (more code and shorthand than an actual language)
• Celestial (clergy)
• Goblin-sign (rudimentary sign language only)
• Moatli
• Druidic
• Runic (giant; combines spoken, written, and signed forms)
• Kubriyan
• Bliptongue (equivalent to Morse code)
• Inferrnal (fiends)

Extinct

• Dwarvish/Gnomish
• Stonesong (stone giant)
• Orcish
• Kryzan