Languages of Thurásin
Take my advice, kid - If you're gonna go through all the effort of learning a second language here, pick Zwiqaluu. After Vaitsärriishal it's easily the most spoken. It'll getcha far, or far enough. Unless you end up in that east elf territory, then you'll be in trouble.The continent of Thurásin has a wide array of language spoken on it, with four being native to Tiyu Amara, two coming from the elven plane of Tiyu Noha, and a final one from the merfolk plane of Tiyu Shòbá. Each has interplay with its neighbours, such as the existence of Light Speech.
Vaitsärriishal is by far the most spoken language in Thurásin, spanning dozens of countries throughout the continent's central regions. Originating along the River Tsädh and the shores of Lake Strelish, it is often called the River Language.
Though it has a large number of speakers, many in the continent have difficulty acquiring it as a second language due to the large amount of vowels and its vertical writing system. It is one of the primary 'translation languages' for Sheu Zarnag.
By contrast, Garanya is one of the lesser spoken languages, found in Thurásin's south-east and on the many islands of the Dyiiladuun Sea. It has a rich history of use in performance and theatre, often being seen as an artistic language before a communicative one.
Its small inventory is both a blessing and a curse, as aside from its unique sound /ɟ/, it is very easy to learn. However, this can turn some words into a "same-sounding soup" for new speakers. Uniquely, it has the potential to bridge to gap between Thurásin and Abravost.
Spoken in Thurásin's east, Nyikkishong is not widely spoken outside of its region. It does, however, have a long history of use throughout the continent, owing to the eras-long conquests of the Urisoril Empire over a thousand years ago.
Its unique ejective consonants can prove a challenge for new speakers, leading to many hilarious mistakes that natives speakers revel in. However, its use as the translation language for Su'ent makes it a commonly learnt written language.
Zwiqaluu
Though it originates in the frigid islands north of the mainland, Zwiqaluu has the second most speakers of any native Thurásin language, spreading along the north and western coasts. It is the second of Sheu Zarnag's 'translation languages', mostly due to the influence of countries like Xiy Kiiquldast .
It has more second-language speakers than Vaitsärriishal, though its tendency to cluster w's and y's with other consonants can turn many words into mush for inexperienced learners.
Su'ent
An isolated Elven language, Su'ent is near solely spoken by citizens of the Shyanhol League, located on Nowenkayet Island. Despite this, it has a rich history and curious links to the Lialpumpámtii people of Western Abravost.
Its sound inventory is among the easiest to learn in Thurásin, even with its rare nasal vowels. Despite this, it is spoken by very few humans, as most of its speakers will instead learn Nyikkishong to communicate with the mainland.
Sheu Zarnag
By far the most widespread Elven language, Sheu Zarnag (or Shyu Zannaq) is spoken all throughout Thurásin by first and second speakers alike. It has primarily been translated into Vaitsärriishal and Zwiqaluu, and the stark difference between the two versions has nearly coalesced into two distinct languages.
It is the only language on the continent to rival Vaitsärriishal's vowel inventory, and its unique retroflex consonants provide a roadblock for many students.
Merfolk Language
The newest arrival to Thurásin and its waters, the language of the Merfolk is very rarely spoken above the sea and beyond its shores. Due to this, it has a reputation for being mysterious and mystical.
A few speakers, largely of Garanya, have endeavoured to learn it as a second language. Beyond its rare /ɬ/ and /ɮ/ sounds, its use of phonemic tone has made it one of the more challenging acquisitions.
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