The Dolphin language was the language spoken by dolphins,[1][2] a highly intelligent aquatic species of mammal that inhabited the oceans of Toril.[2]
Speakers[]
Beyond dolphins themselves, the Dolphin was commonly known in the oceans of Zakhara by the pahari.[3][4] It was also a common secondary language among aquarians and sea druids, two types of specialty priests in the Church of Deep Sashelas. Though of the two, it was the aquarians who specialized in the language.[5]
Phonology[]
The dolphin language consisted of a series of clicks,[6][7][8] squeals,[8] and whistles.[6][7] Some described it as melodious.[9]
Much like whalesong,[7] the language spoken by Toril's whales,[10] the dolphin language was a pure-sound language. This was in contrast to the many languages based around verbal speech that were employed by humans, demihumans, and humanoids.[7] It was considered to be rather difficult for other creatures to fully emulate their language[11]—especially surface dwellers, who lacked the enhanced auditory and vocal capabilities of dolphins and whales.[7][12] This higher degree of sound also made the language undetectable by humans.[1][12]
Derivative Languages[]
Serusan, a pidgin language used by the various aquatic races of Serôs, featured elements of both the dolphin language and aquatic elvish.[6] The latter was not only noted for being somewhat akin to dolphin language,[8] but many aquatic elvish poems and songs were said to mimic it in sound.[9]
Notable Speakers[]
- Ashakar Piscelene, a triton wizard, was capable of speaking this language.[13]
- Oel'yvia Reefglider, a sea elven woman who worked as a barmaid at Bindle's Blade, had an uncanny ability to sing in Dolphin and would occasionally entertain guests with her lyrical abilities.[14]
- Some of the descendants of Selana, a prophet among the merfolk of Serôs, were magically capable of understanding and speaking the Dolphin language.[11]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), A Grand Tour of the Realms. (TSR, Inc), p. 25. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 42. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
- ↑ James Wyatt (August 1998). “Heroes of the Sea”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #250 (TSR, Inc.), p. 32.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur, Steve Kurtz (1992). Monstrous Compendium Al-Qadim Appendix. (TSR, Inc). ISBN l-56076-370-1.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 107. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 55. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Keith Francis Strohm (September 1997). Of Ships and the Sea. (TSR, Inc), pp. 72–73. ISBN 0786907061.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Anne Gray McCready et al. (March 1994). Elves of Evermeet. (TSR, Inc), p. 27. ISBN 1-5607-6829-0.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Anne Gray McCready et al. (March 1994). Elves of Evermeet. (TSR, Inc), p. 29. ISBN 1-5607-6829-0.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 43. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 131. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Roger E. Moore (January 1999). Demihumans of the Realms. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 5–6. ISBN 0-7869-1316-9.
- ↑ Phillip A. Dyer, et al. (August 1991). Port of Ravens Bluff. Edited by Jean Rabe, Skip Williams, David Wise. (TSR, Inc.), p. 37. ISBN 1-56076-120-2.
- ↑ Joseph C. Wolf (1999). Skullport. (TSR, Inc), p. 47. ISBN 0-7869-1348-7.
Connections[]
Dwarvish • Elvish (Drow • Drow sign language • Sea elvish • Seldruin) • Gnim (Gnomish) • Luiric (Halfling)
Draconic Languages
Aragrakh • Auld Wyrmish • Draconic • Draconic sign language • Glav (Troglodyte) • Tymantheran (Abeiran) Draconic • Yipyak (Kobold)
Faerie (Sylvan languages)
Brownie • Dryadic • Korred • Nereid • Nixie • Nymph • Pixie • Satyr • Sirine • Sprite • Sylph
Jotun (Giant languages)
Hill giant • Ogre Magi • Ogrish
Miscellaneous Languages
Aarakocra • Aboleth • Blink Dog • Bugbear • Bullywug • Daraktan (Orcish) • Diabolan • Dolphin • Ghukliak (Goblin) • Gith • Gnollish • Grell • Grimlock • Hag • Hobgoblin • Jermlaine • K'azz'jak'n (Neogi) • Kentaur • Ki-rin • Kuo-toan • Lammasu • Lizardfolk • Locathah • Manticore • Merfolk • Minotaur • Modron • Mongrelfolk • Morkoth • Otyugh • Pegasus • Qualith (Illithid) • Quevquel (Beholder) • Saurial • Sahuagin • Selkie • Sphinx • Sshai (Invisible Stalker) • Tabaxi • Thri-Kreen • Treantish • Triton • Trollspeak • Uibilaqthraxx (Ancient Beholder) • Umber Hulk • Unicorn • Vegepygmy • Were-Tongues • Whalesong • Will-o'-wisp • Worg • Yeti • Yuan-ti