Ravenloft Languages

[Zarathustra217]

Flavouring your roleplay with language-specific words can be excellent for adding a feel of ethnicity and detail to the world. However, always keep in mind that not everyone may be fully in to the vocabularies, so use it with moderation - mainly for flavouring - and be ready to explain to players what your character is saying if they are in doubt.

Following is a list of the main languages spoken in the Core:

    * Akiri (Har’akir) – Egyptian
    * Avergnite (Staunton Bluffs) – Probably English
    * Balok – Romanian
    * Darkonese – Latin
    * Dwarven – Norse
    * Elven – Welsh
    * Falkovnian – German
    * Forfarian (Forlorn) – Gaelic (Scottish)
    * Gnomish – Greek/ Latin
    * Heldannic (Graben Island, Nocturnal Sea) – Nordic
    * Lamordian – Plautdietsch
    * Luktar – Hungarian
    * Mordentish, High – French
    * Mordentish, Low – Anglo-Saxon
    * Patterna – any and all
    * Pazarian – Arabic
    * Rajian (Sri Raji) – Hindi
    * Souragnien - Cajun
    * Tepestani (Tepest) – Gaelic (Irish)
    * Vaasi – Nowegian/ Danish
    * Vos (Vorostokov) – Russian

[Zarathustra217]

Balok

The predominant language of Barovia, Balok is often described as having thick, guttural consonants and is not particularly pleasant to the ear. It is the language of ethnic Barovians, but is also the primary language of Borca and Invidia. The real life counterpart of the language seems to be Romanian.

Primary Language in: Barovia, Borca, G'Henna, Invidia

Secondary Language in: Hazlan, Kartakass, Richemulot, Sithicus, Verbrek

Sample Vocabulary

good morning; good day: bunã ziua
goodbye: adio
yes: da
no: nu
help!: ajutor!
go away!: se duce!
night: noapte
gypsy; thief: tigan
ceatsã: mist; fog
om, oamensc: man
femeie: woman
child: copil
life: viata
death: moarte
love: iubire
poison (noun): méreg
conspire: comploia
money: bani
day: zi
sun: soare
moon: luna
town: oras
inn: han
betrayal: tradare
jealousy: geloize

To help flavour the native roleplay further, here is also a list of common Romanian phrases:

Standard phrases

Breakfast: "micul dejun" (MEE-kool deh-ZHOON)
Buddy / Friend: "prieten" (Pre-Eh-Ten)
Bye: "Pa" ("PAH")
       "Servus" [sehr-VOOS] (in informal occasions in Barovia (/Transylvania))
Damn it!: "La dracu!" (la Drah-coo)
Devil: "Drac" (Drahc)
Excuse me. (Getting attention): "Pardon" (pahr-DOHN) or "Vă rog" (vuh ROHG)
Excuse me. (begging pardon, moving through crowd): "Pardon" (pahr-DOHN)
Fine, thank you.: Mulţumesc, bine." (mool-tzu-MESK BEE-nay)
Go away!: "se duce!" (se du-ssa)
Go to the devil!: "Dudevilte dracului!" (Doo-Devil-Te Drah-Cool-e)
Good-bye: "La revedere" (lah reh-veh-DEH-reh)
               "adio" (ah-dio)
Good day: "Bună ziua" (BOO-nuh zee-wah)
Good evening: "Bună seara" (BOO-nuh syah-ruh)
Good morning: "Bună dimineaţa" (BOO-nuh dee-mee-NYAH-tzuh)
Good night (to sleep): "Noapte bună" (NWAHP-teh BOO-nuh)
Hello!: "Salut." (sah-LOOT)
         "Bună!" (BOO-nuh)
Help!: "Ajutor!" (ah-zhoo-TOR)
Hi!: "Ha!" (Hah)
Horse: "Cal" (cal)
How are you?: "Ce mai faci?" (cheh my FAHTCH)
I can't speak Balok [well].: "Nu vorbesc [bine] Balok." (NOO vor-BESC [BEE-nay] Bah-lohk)
I don't understand: "Nu înţeleg" (NOO oohn-tzeh-LEG)
I'm Hungry: "Mi-e Foame" (Me-ae fo-ah-may)
I'm Thirsty: "Mi-e Sete" (Me-ae set-te)
I'm Tired: "Mi-e Somn" (Me-ae sohm)
I'm Scared: "Mi-e Frica" (Me-ae fri-cah)
I'm sorry: "Îmi pare rău" (oohm pah-reh RUH-OH)
Is there someone here who speaks Balok?: "Vorbeşte cineva aici Balok?" (vor-BESH-teh CHEEH-neh-vah AY-eetch Bah-lohk)
Job: "ocupaţie" (ohcoo-pah-te-eh)
Knight: "cavaler" (Kah-vah-lar)
Lady: "doamnă" (Doam-nah)
Left: "stânga" (STOOHN-gah)
Look out!: "Atenţie" (ah-TEN-tzee-eh)
Lunch: "dejun" (deh-ZHOON)
Miss ______: "domnişoară _______" (DOM-ne-SO-ahra)
Mist / Fog: "ceatsâ" (seh-ah-tsa)
Mister ______: "domn ______" (DOMN)
My name is ______.: "Numele meu e ______." (NOO-meh-leh MEH-oo yeh ______.)
Name: "nume" (noo-me)
Nice to meet you.: "Încântat" (oohn-kahn-taht) or "Îmi pare bine" (OOHM pah-reh BEE-neh)
No: "Nu" (NOO)
Please: "Vă rog" (vuh ROHG; usually follows the request.)
Right: "dreapta" (DRYAP-tah)
See you soon: "Pe curând" ("peh cur-OOHND")
Straight ahead: "drept înainte" (DREHPT oohn-ay-EEN-teh)
Temple: "templu" (tem-ploo)
Thank you: "Mulţumesc" (mool-tzoo-MESK)
Thank you very much: "Mulţumesc mult." (mool-tzoo-MESK moolt)
What is your name? (formal): "Cum vă numiţi? (coom vuh noo-MEETZ)
What's your name? (informal): "Cum te cheamă? (coom teh KYAHM-uh)
Witchcraft: "vrajă" (vrah-jah)
Yes: "Da" (DAH)
You're welcome: "Cu plăcere" (koo pluh-CHAIR-eh)

Problems

Am I under arrest?: Sunt arestat? (SOONT ah-rest-AHT ?)
I'll call the guards.: "Chem garda." (kem Gahrd-ah)
Guards!: "Garda!" (Gahrd-ah!)
I haven't done anything wrong.: N-am facut nimic rău. (NAHM fah-COOT nee-MEEC RUH-oh)
I lost my bag.: "Mi-am pierdut valiza" (mee-AHM pee-ehr-DOOT vah-LEE-zah)
I lost my wallet.: "Mi-am pierdut portmoneul/portofelul." (mee-AHM pee-ehr-DOOT POHRT-mohn-eh-ool/POHRT-o-FEH-Loo)
I'm lost.: "M-am rătăcit" (mahm ruh-tuh-CHEET)
I'm sick.: "Sunt bolnav." (SOONT bohl-NAHV)
I need your help (formal "your").: "Am nevoie de ajutorul dumneavoastra" (AHM neh-VOY-eh deh ah-ZHOO-tohr-ool doom-nyah-VWAH-strah)
I need your help (informal "your").: "Am nevoie de ajutorul tău" (AHM neh-VOY-eh deh ah-ZHOO-tor-ool tuh-oo)
It's an emergency.: "E o urgenţă" (YEH oh oor-JEHN-tzuh)
I've been injured.: "Sunt accidentat." (SOONT ahk-chee-dehn-TAHT)
I need a priest.: "Am nevoie de preot" (AHM neh-VOY-eh deh preh-oth)
It was a misunderstanding.: A fost o neînţelegere. (AH fohst oh neh-uhn-tzeh-leh-geh-reh)
Leave me alone.: "Lasă-mă în pace" (LAH-suh muh oohn PAH-cheh)
Stop! Thief! : "Stai! Tigan!" (STAAY! HOHTZ!)
Where are you taking me?: Unde mă duceţi? (OON-deh muh DOOH-chets)

Numbers


1: unu (OO-noo)
2: doi (doy)
3: trei (tray)
4: patru (PAH-troo)
5: cinci (cheench)
6: şase (SHAH-seh)
7: şapte (SHAHP-teh)
8: opt (ohpt)
9: nouă (NOH-uh)
10: zece (ZEH-cheh)
11: unsprezece (OON-spreh-zeh-cheh, usually shortened to just unşpe, OON-shpeh even in formal speech; similarly, for all numbers up to 19)
12: doisprezece (DOY-spreh-zeh-cheh)
13: treisprezece (TRAY-spreh-zeh-cheh)
14: paisprezece (PIE-spreh-zeh-cheh)
15: cincisprezece (CHEENCH-spreh-zeh-cheh)
16: şaisprezece (SHY-spreh-zeh-cheh)
17: şaptisprezece (SHAHP-tee-spreh-zeh-cheh)
18: optsprezece (OPT-spreh-zeh-cheh)
19: nouăsprezece (NO-uh-spreh-zeh-cheh)
20: douăzeci (DOH-uh ZETCH)
21: douăzeci şi unu (DOH-uh ZETCH shee OO-nu)
22: douăzeci şi doi (DOH-uh ZETCH shee DOY)
23: douăzeci şi trei (DOH-uh ZETCH shee TRAY)
30: treizeci (TRAY ZETCH)
40: patruzeci (PAH-troo ZETCH)
50: cincizeci (CHEENCH ZETCH, but often more like CHEEN-zetch)
60: şaizeci (SHAH-ee ZETCH)
70: şaptezeci (SHAHP-teh ZETCH)
80: optzeci (OHPT zetch)
90: nouăzeci (NO-uh ZETCH)
100: o sută (OH SOO-tuh)
105: o sută cinci (OH SOO-teh CHEENCH)
200: două sute (DOH-uh SOO-teh)
300: trei sute (TRAY SOO-teh)
400: patru sute (....)
500: cinci sute
600: şase sute
700: şapte sute
800: opt sute
900: nouă sute
1000: o mie (oh MEE-eh)
2000: două mii (DOH-uh MEE)
1,000,000: un milion (OON mee-LEE-ohn)
half: jumătate (joo-muh-TAH-teh, often shortened to joo-MAH-teh)
less: mai puţin (MY poo-TZEEN)
more: mai mult (my moolt)
number: numărul

Time

day: zi (OH ZEE)
hour: oră (OH OHR-uh)
midnight: miezul nopţii (mee-EHZ-ool NOHP-tzee)
month: lună (OH LOO-nuh)
night: noapte (no-ahpte)
noon: prânz (proohnz)
today: astăzi(ah-STUHZ)
tomorrow: mâine (MUY-neh)
week: săptămână (OH suhp-tuh-MOOHN-uh)
year: an (oon AHN)
yesterday: ieri (yehr)

Colors

black: negru (NEH-groo)
white: alb (ahlb)
gray: gri (gree)
red: roşu (ROH-shoo)
blue: albastru (ahl-BAH-stroo)
yellow: galben (GAHL-behn)
green: verde (VEHR-deh)
orange: portocaliu (pohr-toh-KAH-lee-oo)
purple: mov (mohv)
brown: maro (mah-ROH)


Monsters / Foes

hag: hârcă (hahr-kah)
ghost: strigoi (strii-goi)
gypsy: tigan (tih-gan)
phantom: fantomă (fahn-toh-mah)
undead: imorţii (e-mor-tee)
vampire: vampir, vrolok  (vam-pihr, fro-lohk)
werewolf: vârcolac (wahr-coh-lahk)
wolf: lup (loop)

[Zarathustra217]

Luktar

The language of the ethnic Gundarakites has alternately been described as having a sing-song cadence or a hive of angry wasps. The real life counterpart is Hungarian.

Primary Language in: ethnic Gundarakites in Barovia and Invidia

Secondary Language in: Borca

Standard phrases

Cheers!: "szervusz!" (sar-voos)
Do you speak Luktar?: Beszél luktarul? (BE-seyl look-tahr-ool?)
Excuse me. (getting attention): Elnézést. (EL-ney-zeysht)
Excuse me. (begging pardon): Sajnálom. (Sai-nah-lom)
Fine, thank you.: Köszönöm, jól. (KØ-sø-nøm, yoal)
Freedom: "szabadság" (sczah-bah-dsahg)
Goodbye: Viszontlátásra. (VEE-sont-la-tash-rå)
Goodbye (informal): Viszlát/Szia. (VEES-lat/SEE-å)
Good morning. (before around 9 AM): Jó reggelt! (yoa REG-gelt)
Good morning. (after 9 AM): Jó napot! (yoa NÅ-pot) 
Good afternoon.: Jó napot! (yoa NÅ-pot)
Good evening.: Jó estét! (yoa ESH-teyt)
Good night.: Jó éjt! or Jó éjszakát! (yoa eyt / yoa EY-så-kat)
Hello.: Szervusz. (SER-voos)
Hello. (informal): Szia. (SEE-å) [like English "See ya!", (what a coincidence!)]
How are you?: Hogy vagy? (hodj vådj)
I can't speak Luktar.: Nem beszélek luktarul. (nem bas-ce-lag look-tahr-ool)
I don't understand.: Nem értem. (nem EYR-tem)
I'm sorry.: Bocsánat. (BO-cha-nåt)
My name is ______ .: "______ vagyok." ( _____ VÅ-djok.)
Nice to meet you.: Örvendek. (ØR-ven-dek)
No.: Nem. (nem)
Please.: Kérem. (KEY-rem)
Thank you.: Köszönöm. (KØ-sø-nøm)
to rebel: "fellázad" (fa-la-zscahd)
tyrant / king: "zsarnok" (szcahr-nok)
What is your name?: Hogy hívják? (hodj HEEV-yak?)
Yes.: Igen. (EE-gen)
You're welcome.: Szívesen. (SEE-ve-shen)

Problems

Go away!: Menjen innét! (man-jane enat)
Help!: Segítség! (SHE-geet-sheyg!)
Look out!: Vigyázz! (VEE-djaz)


Source: Wikipedia Hungerian Phrasebook; Ravenloft Gazetteer I

[Zarathustra217]

Falkovnian

The spoken language of Falkovnia. The real life counterpart of the language is German.

Primary Language in: Falkovnia

Secondary Language in: -

Standard phrases

(Not official, but old fashioned high German)

Breakfast: "Frühstück" (fruee-shtueek)
Buddy / Friend: "Freund" (froynd)
Bye: Tschüss" ("tshueess")
Damn it!: "Verdammt!" (fair-dahmt)
Devil: "Teufel" (toy-fel)
Excuse me.: "Entschuldigung" (ant-shuhl-dee-goong)
Fine, thank you.: "Gut, danke" (goohd, dank-a)
Go to the devil!: "Zum Teufel mit Dir!" (zom toy-fel meet deer)
Good day: "Guten Tag" (goohten tahg)
Good evening: "Guten Abend" (goohten ah-bent)
Good morning: "Guten Morgen" (goohten morgen)
Good night (to sleep): Gute Nacht" (goohte na-ch-t)
Hello!: "hallo" (hah-lo)
Help!: "Hilfe!" (hee-lfe)
Horse: "Pferd" (pfa-rd)
How are you?: "Wie geht's?" (wee gayt's)
I can't speak Falkovnian.: "Ich kann kein Falkovnianisch." (Ichh kahn kighn Falkovnianish)
I don't understand: "Ich verstehe nicht" (Ichh fair-shtay-a nichht)
I'm Hungry: "Ich habe hunger" (Ichh hahb-a hoon-gar)
I'm Thirsty: "Ich habe durst" (Ichh hahb-a doorst)
I'm Tired: "Ich bin müde / muede" (ichh been muy-da)
I'm Scared: "Ich fürchte / fuerchte mich" (ichh fuyr-chta meechh)
I'm sorry: "es tut mir Leid" (as toot meer layd)
Is there someone here who speaks Falkovnian?: "Ist hier jemand, der Falkovnian spricht?" (Ist here ie-mahnt dar Falkovnian spreechht)
Job: "Arbeit" (ahr-beyt)
Knight: "Ritter" (reet-air)
Lady: "Dame" (dah-ma)
Left: "links" (links)
Look out!: "Achtung" (achh-toong)
Lunch: "Mittagessen" (meet-ahg as-ssen)
Miss ______: "Fräulein / Fraeulein _______" (froy-leyn)
Mister ______: "Herr ______" (hair)
My name is ______.: "Mein Name ist ______." (meyn nahm-a isst ______.)
Name: "Name" (Nahm-a)
No: "Nein" (neyn)
Please: "bitte" (beet-a)
Right: "rechts" (ra-chhs) (direction)
         "richtig" (reech-teg) (correct)
See you soon: "Bis bald" ("beess bahlt")
Straight ahead: "geradeaus" (ga-rah-da-ou-ss)
Temple: "Tempel" (tem-pal)
Thank you: "Danke" (dahn-ka)
Thank you very much: "Vielen Dank" (veel-an dahnk)
What is your name? (formal): "Wie ist Ihr Name? (wee isst eer nah-ma) (old fashioned)
What's your name? (informal): "Wie heißt Du? (wee hey-sst doo)
Witchcraft: "Hexerei" (hex-a-rey)
Yes: "Ja" (ia)
You're welcome: "Bitte" (bee-ta)


Problems

Am I under arrest?: Bin ich unter Arest?
I'll call the guards.: Ich werde die Wache rufen!
Guards!: Wache!
I haven't done anything wrong.: Ich habe nichts Falsches gemacht!
I lost my bag.: Ich habe meine Tasche verloren.
I'm lost.: Ich habe mich verirrt.
I'm sick.: Mir ist schlecht.
I need your help (formal "your").: Ich brauche Ihre Hilfe!
I need your help (informal "your").: Ich brauche Deine Hilfe!
It's an emergency.: Es ist ein Notfall!
I've been injured.: Ich wurde verlezt!
I need a priest.: Ich brauche einen Priester.
It was a misunderstanding.: Es war ein Missverständnis.
Leave me alone. (spoken to one person): Lass mich alleine!
Leave me alone. (spoken to a group): Lasst mich alleine!
Stop! Thief! : Halt! Dieb!
Where are you taking me?: Wo bringt Ihr mich hin?


Military

At your comand! - Zu Befehl!
Attack! - Angriff!
Army - Armee
Battle - Schlacht
Battlefield - Schlachtfeld
Captain - Hauptmann
Destroy them! - Vernichtet sie!
General - General
Honor - Ehre
Impale - pfählen
No sir - Nein, Herr!
Officer - Offizier
Sergeant - Unteroffizier
Soldier - Soldat
Staff Sergeant - Feldwebel
Torture - Folter
War - Krieg
Yes sir! - Jawohl!


[to be continued]

A little more Falkovnian:

My name is _____ (informal)
Ich heiß _____ (i-ch- hyss)

Missus
Frau (frou)

Subhuman(s) (derogatory for demihumans and other nonhumans)
Untermensch(en) (oon-ter-mensh, oon-ter-men-shin)

Magic
Zauberkunst (tsou-ber-koonst)

Sorcery
Zauberei (tsou-ber-eye)

Sorcerer
Zauberer (tsou-ber-er)

Sorceress
Zauberin (tsou-ber-in)

Wizard
Hexenmeister (hex-en-my-ster)

Witch, Hag
Hexe (hex-a)

Sword
Schwert (shvairt)

Notes:
The Umlauts, ä ö ü, can be written ae oe ue, respectively.
ß can be written as ss. Not all instances of ss are appropriately written as ß, however.

[Zarathustra217]

Vaasi

This language is described as having harmonious vowels.

Primary Language In: Hazlan, Nova Vaasa, Kartakass, Valachan

Secondary Language In: Barovia, Darkon, Invidia, Mordent, Graben Island, Liffe, Sithicus, Tepest, Verbrek

Sample Vocabulary:

good day: godaag
goodbye: afsked
yes: jao
no: ikke
help!: jaal!
leave this place!: afgaa herfra opstille!
magic: trolddom, trylleri
wizard: trolddommem
fire: skyde, arfbrand
man: mennekene
woman: kvinde
child: barn
life: liv
death: endeligt
love: elske, have kaer
music: musik, noder, tonlist
timber: tømmer
day: daag
night: natten
sun: solen
moon: moarne
town: byan, plads
inn: kroen
thank you: takk
spirit: spøkelse
tax: skatt
horse: hest
horseman, rider: hestmand
cat: kat
crime: forbrydelse
grass: graes
nobleman: ædelmand
commoner: lavmand
merchant: købmand

[Bluebomber4evr]

Mordentish

This language is separated into two distinct dialects with entirely different vocabularies and even different grammar. "High" Mordentish is spoken by the nobility, while "Low" Mordentish is spoken by the common folk. The mingling of these two dialects has created an incredibly flexible language that is widely regarded throughout the world as the language of literature.

In comparison to real world languages, "Low" Mordentish is analagous to Anglo-Saxon or Old English, while "High" Mordentish is comparable to French.

Primary Language in: Borca, Mordent, Dementlieu, Richemulot, Verbrek, Ghastria

Secondary Language in: Darkon, Dominia, Falkovnia, Invidia, Lamordia, Sithicus, Valachan

"Low" Mordentish Sample Vocabulary:
 

"Low" Mordentish	English
wes thu hal	greetings, farewell (lit. "be you well")
giese	yes
nese	no
Ia! eala!	ah! alas!
faran aweg!	go away!
searo	painting
bokcræft	literature
plegende	performance
daeg	day
niht	night
heathusigel, sôl, sunne	sun
môna	moon
tûn	town
hûs, inn, tôcirhûs	inn
feorh, gâst, scucca	spirit
holm, mere	ocean, sea
brim	seashore
lyfthelm, mist, nip	mist, fog
burg	city
âdelsçath	sewer
ræt	rat
werræt	wererat
forgægend	trespasser
ætheling	noble (noun)
bôkere, scôlere	scholar
læwend	traitor
byrde, welig	affluent
searocræftig	astute
begietan dun!	get below! (a common curse)
carl, mann, rinc	man
fæmne, wif, æwe	woman
bearn	child
lif	life
feorhgedal, swylt	death
cwealm	murder
lufræden	love
ator, lybb	poison (noun)
reonian	conspire
mynett, sceatt	money
weald	forest
éa	river
hunta	hunter
ulph	wolf
worulph	werewolf
bealu	dangerous, unwise
ceasterbuend	fool, outsider, civilized person

"High" Mordentish Sample Vocabulary:

"High" Mordentish	English
bonjour	greetings
adieu	farewell
oui	yes
non	no
oh! hélas!	oh! alas!
en allez vous!	go away!
peinture	painting
littérature	literature
présentation	performance
jour	day
nuit	night
soleil	sun
lune	moon
ville	town
auberge	inn
fantôme	ghost
océan, mer	ocean, sea
brume, brouillard	mist, fog
égout	sewer
salaud	bastard
intrus	trespasser
savant	noble (noun), scholar
traître	traitor
malin	affluent, astute
decendre!	get below! (a common curse)
homme	man
femme	woman
enfant	child
vie	life
mort	death
meurte	murder
amour	love
poison, toxine, venin	poison (noun)
comploter	conspire
argent	money

[Bluebomber4evr]

Darkonese

The language of Darkon is both complex and highly structured. It has not spread far from Darkon's borders, but the immense size of the kingdom and its huge population are enough to ensure the significance of the language. Since Darkon has a large demihuman population, many of them mix Darkonese with their racial tongues. Many wizards have found that the precise definitions found in the language make for ideal magical writings.

In comparison to real world languages, Darkonese is analogous to Latin.

Primary Language In: Darkon, Necropolis

Secondary Language In: Falkovnia, Lamordia, Nova Vaasa, Liffe, Dominia, Tepest

Sample Vocabulary:

Darkonese	English
salve!	greetings!
vale!	goodbye!
ita	yes
minime	no
adiuva me!	help!
abi!	go away!
mirae	divine magic, wonders
mors	death
nuntius	information

[Bluebomber4evr]

Lamordian

Lamordian is a flat and guttural language which superficially resembles a mixture of Darkonese, Falkovnian, and Mordentish. The Lamordian alphabet has hundreds of sounds such as dipthongs and slurs that would be considered entirely new letters in other languages. Lamordian has euphemistic compound words, odd idiomatic expressions, and a needlessly complex system of tenses and genders. Lamordians are very proud of their language and make it a point to correct foreigners who mispronounce a word or make a grammatical error.

Lamordian is analgous with the Swiss language of the real world.

Primary Language In: Lamordia

Secondary Language In: Darkon, Falkovnia, Dementlieu, Dominia

Sample Vocabulary:

Lamordian	English
goodendach	greetings (good day)
aufscheet	goodbye
jo	yes
nä	no
halpe!	help!
aufriese!	go away!
oatst	physician
fe'nunft	rationality, reason
stiem	blizzard
je'spanst	phantom, bogeyman

[Bluebomber4evr]

Forfarian

Forfarians in Forlorn speak this language in exclusion to any other. Forfarians in other lands are taught this language alongside the native tongue of their adopted homeland. The Forfarian language is often described as "brogue."

In comparison to real world languages, Forfarian is analogous to Scottish Gaelic.

Primary Language in: Forlorn

Secondary Language in: Barovia, Hazlan

Sample Vocabulary:

Forfarian	English
daenacht hael	greetings
beannachd leat	goodbye
nae	no
seadh	yes
cuidich!	help!
rach air falbh!	go away!
bòcan	ghost
ghaidhealtachd	highlands
nàdur	nature

[Bluebomber4evr]

Old Kartakan

Kartakass possesses its own, entirely distinct language known as Old Kartakan. This difficult language was apparently the common tongue of the Kartakans prior to the Occupation (Kartakans claim that they were once occupied by Invidia), though today it is all but extinct, spoken only by the elderly or to add an air of dignity to formal affairs. In a sense, it has become a language of secrets.

In comparison to real world languages, Old Kartakan is analogous to Serbian.

Primary Language In: none

Secondary Language In: Kartakass

Sample Vocabulary:

Old Kartakan	English
pozdrav	greetings
zbogom	goodbye
o	yes
ne	no
pomoct!	help!
poctde stran!	go away!
lubezen	love
loviti volkove	wolf
glasba	music

[Bluebomber4evr]

Sithican

This elven language is noted for its sibilants, which earns the Sithicans the derogatory nickname of the "hissing elves." To the learned ear, numerous Sithican words and phrases seem oddly dissonant, hinting that they may have been borrowed from languages otherwise unknown in these lands.

Sithican has no real world analogue. It is identical to the language spoken by the Silvanesti elves of Krynn.

Primary Language In: Sithicus

Secondary Language In: Barovia, Kartakass, Valachan, Verbrek

Sample Vocabulary:

Sithican	English
e'roess	the sun rises (common greeting)
e'naess	the sun sets (common farewell)
s	yes
ust	no
aos!	help!
kelos!	go away!
loth	darkness
nelin	stranger
sereon	forest
rothihir	tyrant

[Bluebomber4evr]

Tepestani

The Tepestani language is composed of harsh, phlegmatic sounds, making it sound as if the speakers are constantly clearing their throats. Until recently, it had no written form. Wyan of Viktal has now come up with a written text of the Tepestani language to be used for the Inquisition's court records.

In comparison to real world languages, Tepestani is analogous to Irish Gaelic.

Primary Language in: Tepest

Secondary Language in: Nova Vaasa, Darkon


Sample Vocabulary:

Tepestani	English
déicht duit	gods save you (common greeting)
slán	goodbye
beicht/is líom/is ea	yes (I will/it is/I am)
aon, níl	no
fóir!	help!
imigh leat!	go away!
draíocht	witchcraft, arcane magic
cailleach/draíodóir	witch/warlock
tástáil	trial

[Bluebomber4evr]

Rokuma

The native language of Rokushima Táiyoo has an open-syllable sound pattern, so that most syllables end in a vowel. In Rokuma, a person's speech depends on his or her present surroundings and his or her social status. Compared to many languages of the Core, Rokuma grammar is relatively simple. Complicating factors such as gender articles and distinctions between plural and singular are missing almost completely. Conjugation rules for verbs and adjectives are simple and almost free of exceptions. Nouns are not declinated at all, but appear always in the same form. It is the written form of Rokuma that many foreigners find difficult. There are no less than three different written forms of the language: two sets of phonetic characters (one for native words, the other for foreign words), and one set of symbolic characters. The language is written vertically, from right to left, another factor which many foreigners find confusing.

In comparison to real world languages, Rokuma is analogous to Japanese.

Primary Language in: Rokushima Táiyoo

Secondary Language in: none


Sample Vocabulary:

Rokuma	English
konnichiwa	good day
konbanwa	good evening
sayonara	goodbye
hai	yes
ie	no
taskete!	help!
átchini ike!	go away!
giri	honor
oni	demon
obake	ghost
gaijin	foreigner, barbarian
shimin senso	civil war
gomennasai	I apologize
baka!	fool!

[Bluebomber4evr]

Patterna

The language of the Vistani is a strange one, being a mixture of the common tongue, several humanoid dialects, and a unique slang, unspoken by any race other than the Vistani. Many non-Vistani find the language maddening, because patterna is conveyed more by context and intonation than by meaning or root words. Many ordinary words in the common tongue have no translations in patterna. In fact, Vistani dialect appropriates non-Vistani words when needed, without interrupting the rythm of speech.

Primary Language in: none; only spoken by Vistani

Secondary Language in: none; only spoken by Vistani, although Barovia has many non-Vistani speakers of patterna due to the special status the Barovian government has given the Vistani.


Sample Vocabulary:

Patterna	English
endari-vitir	farewell (lit. "all paths converge")
kir-yahg	set up camp (lit. "make fire")
koorah	exclamation of agreement (lit. "utterly true")
lunadi	it shall be done (lit. "by the moon")
vishnadd	justice (lit. "dark blade")
giorgio	non-Vistani
giomoto	half-Vistani
giamarga	half-Vistani, half-elf
spiuni	spy
marhime	unclean
vujo	pure
baxt	luck
armaya	curse
lowe	money
trampa	barter
tshorav	steal
hamishagos	meddle, disturb
pamintean	native
anda l thema	the lands beyond

[Feronius]

Possibly a good reference to enhance your Mordent RP? I think it might be usefull for something at least (other than comical relief!)
Although not directly applyable as Low Mordentish, possibly interesting to add to your Common? If not feel free to delete this post.

Old english source:
http://www.medieval-faire.com/speak.html

[herkles]

except that isn't the language of mordent. they speak -old english- you know the time durring the anglo-saxons, before the norman invasion of 1066. this is old english  Hwí spycþ þes þus, hé dysegaþ; hwí mæg synna forgyfan búton god ána. which according to this site means, 'How can this man talk like that? He is blaspheming.Who can forgive sins but God?'

[Zedrik]

Possibly a good reference to enhance your Mordent RP? I think it might be usefull for something at least (other than comical relief!)
Although not directly applyable as Low Mordentish, probably a possibly good accent in Common? If not feel free to delete this post.

Mordent accent? / Olde englishe source:
http://www.medieval-faire.com/speak.html

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/YeOldeButcheredeEnglishe

This sort of faux-Shakespearian writing is popularly called "Old English", though it isn't

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HistoryOfEnglish

Actual Old English, which developed after the Anglo-Saxon-Jute invasion/colonization/settlement/takeover of England in about the 5th century and was spoken until the early Middle Ages

As an example, the first two lines of a 7th century poem called "Cædmon's Hymn" are:

Nu scilun herga hefenricæs uard
metudæs mehti and his modgithanc

... which, even with "and his" having helpfully survived unchanged, is just about impossible for the modern English speaker to turn into

Now let me praise the keeper of Heaven's kingdom,
The might of the Creator, and his thought

... without having studied Old English.

[WildPirate13]

Nice! 

[Feronius]

I'd still like to use the accent for something sometime, hehe
Is there any other olde englishe kind of language in any D&D universe? It cracks me up.

[herkles]

Oh, I would like to mention something that I have seen brought up a few times by some people and that is the concept of vaasi being the common tongue. It is not, common is just common which is only there for convince sake. If I am in the wrong for posting this, or that vaasi is the common tongue, feel free to correct me.

[HellsPanda]

Blue once said it was by mistake, this lead to a widespread confusion on the matter. He sometime later corrected himself, but it will take time for everyone to get it.
I still prefer the idea of one of the worlds languages would be Common, instead of there existing some mystical common tongue that somehow had developed that was different than all other languages, but that all people could easily learn

[Bluebomber4evr]

Yeah it was a mistake on my part.

Vaasi is NOT COMMON!

[herkles]

If anyone is interested in Mordentish as it is Old English, I found an Anglo-Saxon Dictionary that might be useful for them.  Hope that helps anyone out.

[Bluebomber4evr]

Just a reminder to people to please use these foreign words in moderation--remember, a little goes a long way. When used sparingly they add some flourish to your roleplay, when overused they become a crutch. There's no hard or fast rule, but a general guideline is no more than 1/3rd of the words in a sentence should be foreign.

Some tips:

  Remember that most of these other languages have different grammatical rules and slang phrases than english, so using a direct translation will result in clunky, inauthentic dialogue. For example, the phrase "not bad" in French is not "pas mal," it would actually be "ne mal pas." I'm not at all suggesting that you have to take a course in these foreign languages in order to roleplay, but if you're not sure what the phrase or what the word translates into, don't use it, because things like babelfish or altavista just give you mangled gibberish.

  Similar to above, taking a composite word in english (such as "anyone") and translating it into some half-english/half-romanian word like "anyunu" just sounds silly and weird (the actual phrase would be "oricine" which means "whoever").

  The actual amount of words used, as well as the particular words used, should be easily inferred by someone not familiar with the words. Pick a few words that your character would always use (like "da" for "yes") to be consistently understood. People should be able to figure out what those words mean by the context of what you're saying and what english words you're using in conjunction with them.

[Heretic]

Nuuuuuuu, ceea ce vorbeşti, da? I am a real Barovian, da?

Vraja, Vraja şi zei, vă rugăm să vă rugăm să Oh, face Mihas nu mai fie un incepator pic, va rog.. [!]  

 

Spoiler: show

What blue said.