Languages of Selentia
There are many languages spoken across Selentia, but in general there relatively
little linguistic divergence among the successor kingdoms. Low Bacchile is generally
understood throughout Selentia; likewise, High Bacchile is universally understood
by the well-educated.
Because of the unifying effect of the language of the Selentine Empire, local
languages in the successor kingdoms have tended to borrow from Low and High
Bacchile and to drift closer together as a result. As a result, all these local
languages can be grouped into three language groups, Angate, Galdarve, and Nascerine.
Within each of these language groups there is sometimes marked regional variation,
but two speakers can always understand each other.
Selentine languages use the Classic alphabet of High Bacchile unless noted
otherwise.
Modern Languages
- Low Bacchile (Common): the lingua franca of the Selentine successor
states, descended from High Bacchile intermingled with local language groups.
- Angate: the language group of the kingdoms around the Coradian Sea.
- Galdarve: the language group of the kingdoms of the southeast.
- Nascerine: the language group of the Tashim kingdoms.
- Bakkatun: the lingua franca of the western Khanates. There is no
written language.
- Wemben: the language group of the Petkenaks and Vassklavi. There is no written
language.
- Jezant (Kattar): the lingua franca of the peninsula of Minj.
- Klav (Dwarvish): the language of the dwarves. It uses the Klavic alphabet.
- Cabbandari (Elvish): the language of the elves of the southeast. It uses
the Runic alphabet.
- Tellandari (Sylvan): the lingua franca of the fey. It uses the
Runic alphabet.
- Dakkandi (Goblin): the language of Krarth and Wyrd. It uses the Runic alphabet.
- Nikkar (Mercanian): the language of the Mercanians. It uses the Runic alphabet.
- Visic (Giant): the language of the giants. It uses the Runic alphabet.
- Raukil (Draconic): the language of the dragons. It uses the Runic alphabet.
Ancient Languages
- High Bacchile (Church): the original language of the Selentine Empire, which
has survived as the language of religion, law, philosophy, and sorcery.
- Lughwyd: the original language of the Dunns. Lughwyd is no longer a spoken
language. It used a different Runic alphabet, similar to the Runic alphabet.
- Old Emphidian: the original language of Emphidor, which is still spoken
by scholars. It uses the Emphidian alphabet, similar to Classic.
- Qemor: the original language of Kaikuhuru. Qemor is no longer a spoken language.
It used hieroglyphs.
maintained by Gary Johnson (gwzjohnson at optusnet.com.au)
last updated 15 May 2021