Languages in Britannia

There are many languages spoken by the peoples inhabiting the isles of Brittania. Several of these fall into similar language groups. Knowledge of a language within a language group allows the speaker to communicate at least general concepts with some one who speaks a different language within the same group. This is usually sufficient for trade and simple diplomacy, but more abstract concepts generally require a translator.

Germanic Languages

Old English

Old English is the language of the Anglo-Saxons and is spoken by peoples throughout Wessex, Sussex, Essex, Mercia, East Anglia, and Northumbria. The Britons who dwell in these areas often speak Old English fluently and those who do not speak at least enough to conduct trade with the Anglo-Saxons. While few people are capable of reading, Old English is the most prolific of all written languages in Britannia at this time.

Old East Norse

Old East Norse is the language of the Danes and related groups currently invading Britannia. While related to Old English, it uses its own runic alphabet, though precious little is written in it and only the most educated of Danes are capable of reading it.

Celtic Languages

Breton

Breton is spoken by the Britons living throughout Britannia. It is most closely related to Welsh. Though most Britons speak some level of Old English, almost all of them are fluent in Breton. While the Breton language has been worked with the Latin alphabet, there are virtually no works written in this language.

Welsh

Welsh is the language of the Welsh. Welsh is not yet a written language, so non-verbal communication with it is impossible. Educated Welsh speakers typically translate anything they wish written down into another language - typically Latin or Old English.

Gaeilge

Gaeilge is the language of the peoples of Ireland and is most closely related to Welsh. Gaeilge was worked with the Latin alphabet by the early 5th century and is the most prolific written Celtic language in Britannia. Only Old English and Latin can boast more written words in Britannia than Gaeilge. As many wealthy Anglo-Saxons send their sons to Irish monasteries for an education, this language is not as isolated to Ireland as might be expected.

Pictish

Pictish is only roughly related to the other Celtic languages. Thus, speakers of Breton, Welsh, or Gaeilge struggle to communicate anything beyond the most simple concepts with Pictish speakers (and vice-versa). It is only spoken by the Picts who dwell far in the north above the Antonine Wall and a few people in Northumbria who trade with the Picts.

Language Isolates

Some languages have no clear relation to any other. Being conversant in these languages does not enable to speaker any ability to communicate with a non-speaker.

Latin

Latin is the language of the Romans and the Christian church and is spoken by the clergy at mass. Clergy members are also required to be literate in Latin as the Vulgate (Bible) is written exclusively in this language. Ancient manuscripts are almost assuredly written in this language, making knowledge of it of great importance to scribes and sages. Latin is unusual in that there are more people equipped to read and write it than converse in it.