Common

The Common language, also referred to as Commonspeech, Common Tongue or Thorasta^[1], serves as an unifying speech, allowing diverse races and cultures to communicate effectively. It is the universal language for trading and diplomacy.
Though, it is the language the most used in all of Faerûn, it is for the most part used as a secondary language. Common is spoken by most races and is used throughout the world of Toril, especially in areas with strong population density. Those in remote areas spoke it badly, but most could get by.

Script

Common is mostly spoken rather than written, but there exists a script based on “Old Common” or Thorass. The script is rather simple to understand for those who are literate, hence why Common is used globally.

The appearance of Common was dictated by different factors. It is directly devolved from Thorass, which was the main language used by Humans. Although one could assume that Common was only a human creation, the language is also taking words from Dwarvish, Orcish and Elvish. As Humans traveled throughout Faerûn, Common was gaining new words from different cultures, and therefore, becoming richer. Several major civilizations played in the refinement and spread of Common; such as the nation of Cormyr or the Elven Kingdom of Illefarn.

Through trade, conquest, and cultural exchange, these civilizations facilitated the widespread adoption of Common as a lingua franca.

Common Language Symbols by Pixel Sagas , Chart by Misfits&Majesty

Limitations and Advantages

The main advantage to Common was that practically every sentient creature could speak it. Even in remote areas of Faerûn, the inhabitants could speak at least enough of it to make themselves understood with a little creativity. Admittedly, regional accents tended to confuse the issue; natives of distant areas sometimes regarded each others' accents as strange or silly, but they could still understand each other.

However, mages and other spellcasters culturally still use their native languages to cast spells or imbue runes with magic. It is used mainly to protect the knowledge of each casters and avoid deciphering their work. Additionally, ancient knowledge and ancient beings spoke way more specific languages.

Dialects

Dialects varied from Common depending on regions. They are derivative languages from Common, much like a creole. Generally, communication was possible, though complicated depending on the terms and accent. It exists three main dialects, even if it exists a thousand dialects in Faerûn:

• Calant: It was a melodious dialect spoken on the Sword Coast.
• Kouroo: It was a Chultan variant.
• Skaevrym: It was mainly spoken in Sossal.

In-Progress Article

❗ This article is currently being worked on. It is subject to changes and modifications.

Dictionary

6 Words.

Notes

1. ^ In other realms, "Common" could be a different language. An example is in the Underdark, as the residents there speak what is known as Undercommon. It is more accurate to refer to Common as Thorasta, as “Common” is a term that may differ depending on the location.

Meta

This article uses material from the Common Dictionary article on the Forgotten Realms Wiki at Fandom and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License.
This article is inspired by RiverFang's work. If you have some time, go check their work! (Common).