Westron

The Westron was the language of the Dúnedain of Middle-earth. By the end of the Third Age it was more or less a universal language spoken throughout the Westlands. The Westron speech is derived from the Adûnaic tongue of Númenor, and originated as a creole language on the western coastlands of the continent of Middle-earth, when the Númenoreans established trade outposts and forts in the third millennium of the Second Age. From there, it spread to most of the westlands, with the notable exception of Mordor.
After the Downfall of Númenor, the Faithful Númenoreans neglected their 'unfaithful' language in favour of Elvish, allowing Adûnaic as spoken in Middle-earth to change and evolve chaotically among the Middle Men. But later it was enriched and softened under Elvish influence. In the course of the Third Age Westron was adopted by nearly all Men and Hobbits that lived within the borders of the old kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor all along the coasts from Umbar northward to the Bay of Forochel, and inland to the Misty Mountains and the Ephel Dúath and north up the river Anduin to the Gladden Fields between the Misty Mountains and the Anduin. At the time of the War of the Ring Westron was still the native tongue in this area. For this, Westron was also known as the Common Speech. Dwarves used Westron as a public language, as Khuzdul was private. Some Elves also spoke Westron, although some, like Haldir's brothers, didn't leave their lands much and had not learned the Common Speech. Even Orcs spoke Westron, which was the base of Orkish tongues.

Root Languages

• Adûnaic

Spoken by

• Edain