Draconic was the language of dragons.[5] While the term was used by a few dragons, it was largely an exonym, with the proper term for the language being Glav (meaning "speech/converse").[6] It used its own distinct alphabet, called Iokharic.[7] Other native speakers included members of draconic-related races, such as kobolds and dragonborn,[8] and members of reptilian races such as lizardfolk and troglodytes.[9] The language was commonly used for arcane writings, so it was commonly learned by elves and wizards.[10][5]
History[]
Draconic was one of the earliest languages, influencing or creating the language of kobolds and other races.[8] According to dragons, their language was the oldest mortal tongue and all other mortal languages descended from it.[9] It was unknown and considered impossible to determine when the dracoforms began to develop language.[11]
While believed by some to be a monolithic language that had remained almost unchanged since its creation,[9] in reality the language had developed and changed over time. The oldest precursor to the language was known as Auld Wyrmish, followed by Aragrakh.[6]
Dialects[]
Every subspecies of dragon possessed their own dialects that could be considered separate languages in their own right.[12] Slight variations in the dialect of Draconic were used among the different kinds of chromatic dragons, and were considered equivalent to regional accents. Metallic dragons on the other hand all had similar accents.[9]
The dragons of Abeir (including those living in Laerakond) also had their own dialect, which they called Aklave (pronounced: /ˈɑːklɑːvv/ AK-lavv). The Aklave dialect was so similar to the Torilian dialect that someone who understood one could fluently understand the other,[6] although the pronunciation of some words was different. Some sounded softer than normal Draconic, a little more nasal and with words that had elongated syllables.[note 1]
Dragonborn and kobolds had their own unique draconic dialects, the Tymantheran[13] and the Yipyak, respectively.[14] Dracohydras also had their own dialect, derived from those of the chromatic dragons. There were enough similarities between these dialects that chromatics and dracohydras could understand roughly half of what the other was saying.[15]
Phonology[]
Draconic was a language of hard consonants and sibilants that usually sounded like hissing when spoken, like sj, ss, and sv. It also included a sound similar to a creature clearing its throat, ach.[8]
Draconic words were emphasized on the first syllable, and speakers of Draconic expressed important ideas by stressing the beginnings and the ends of words. Dragons often used this when referring to themselves, or when they wanted to command, warn, threaten, or otherwise make their point clear.[8]
Grammar[]
Words that modified other words were placed before or after the word they modified, with the most important modifier always placed before. Draconic speakers often placed it a second time directly after the word for additional emphasis. Draconic had no specific word for “my” or “mine,” instead using several prefixes that depended on the exact meaning.[9]
Writing system[]
The Iokharic script.
All Draconic languages used a script known as Iokharic,[9] though there existed a misconception among some that none but gold dragons had a written language.[16] This script was likely created long after its spoken form was standardized, as dragons had little to no need to write when compared to other races.[9]
Alphabet[]
The Iokharic alphabet was equivalent to that of human languages, with the same number of characters for letters and numbers.[8]
Appendix[]
See Also[]
Notes[]
- ↑ As seen in the novels of the Brimstone Angels series.
Further Reading[]
- Dragon #284, "Dragontongue: A Draconic Language Primer" by Owen K.C. Stephens
- Races of the Dragon, Appendix: The Draconic Language
External Links[]
- http://www.fantasist.net/draconic.shtml
- http://slushlush.com/2013/04/a-draconic-primer/
- http://slushlush.com/2015/10/lonely-planet-vayemniri-or-more-draconic-for-you/
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 123. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
- ↑ Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 169. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 247. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 259. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 85. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Ed Greenwood (2019-02-24). Draconic Language Tree Theory Confirmed & Draconic names for Draconic (Tweet). theedverse. Twitter. Archived from the original on 2024-04-13. Retrieved on 2024-04-13.
- ↑ Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, Robert J. Schwalb (September 2008). Forgotten Realms Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 156. ISBN 978-0-7869-4929-8.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Bruce R. Cordell, et al. (November 2008). Draconomicon: Chromatic Dragons. Edited by Michele Carter, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 24, 25. ISBN 978-0-7869-4980-9.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Kolja Raven Liquette (2006). Races of the Dragon. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 146. ISBN 0-7869-3913-3.
- ↑ Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 12, 16, 57. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
- ↑ Nigel Findley, et al. (October 1990). Draconomicon. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 8. ISBN 0-8803-8876-5.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Erin M. Evans (December 2015). Ashes of the Tyrant. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 17. ISBN 978-0786965731.
- ↑ Thomas M. Costa (1999). “Speaking in Tongues”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon Annual #4 (TSR, Inc) (4)., p. 29.
- ↑ Andy Collins, James Wyatt, and Skip Williams (November 2003). Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 67. ISBN 0-7869-2884-0.
- ↑ Andy Collins, James Wyatt, and Skip Williams (November 2003). Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 12. ISBN 0-7869-2884-0.
Connections[]
Dwarvish • Elvish (Drow • Drow sign language • Sea elvish • Seldruin) • Gnim (Gnomish) • Luiric (Halfling)
Draconic Languages
Aragrakh • Auld Wyrmish • Draconic • Draconic sign language • 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 • Beholder • Blink Dog • Bugbear • Bullywug • Daraktan (Orcish) • Diabolan • Dolphin • Ghukliak (Goblin) • Gith • Gnollish • Grell • Grimlock • Hag • Hobgoblin • Invisible Stalker (Sshai) • Jermlaine • K'azz'jak'n (Neogi) • Kentaur • Ki-rin • Kuo-toan • Lammasu • Lizardfolk • Locathah • Manticore • Merfolk • Minotaur • Modron • Morkoth • Otyugh • Pegasus • Saurial • Sahuagin • Selkie • Sphinx • Tabaxi • Thri-Kreen • Treantish • Triton • Troglodyte • Trollspeak • Umber Hulk • Unicorn • Vegepygmy • Were-Tongues • Whalesong • Will-o'-wisp • Worg • Yeti • Yuan-ti