Languages of Thedas

A variety of languages can be found throughout Thedas. There are many smaller dialects, but all of them derive from one of these larger groups.

Common Languages

Alamar

Alamarri tribes folk developed several languages to communicate with one another but this is the one that stood the test of time. It is most commonly used in Ferelden, the Free Marches, and those parts of Nevarra that straddle the Waking Sea.

Antivic

Amongst traveling merchants, this is the tongue of choice. It originally was created by Antivan drows as the tongue of cut-purses and assassins. With the dominance of the Antivan Crows, it eventually became more common in the country as a whole. The script can be found universally used throughout Antiva and most merchants will have their documents scrawled in this language, if not their native one.

Aquarian

Sailors and seafaring merchants trade goods in a variety of different coastal ports. Antivic was unsuited for quickly describing matters of importance in a quick manner. Over time, Aquarian grew in popularity amongst sailors until it became their language of choice. Sea shipments and documents detailing voyages would likely be in this language.
Despite its popularity, scholars really do not know where it derived from and the language itself seems to be a smorgasbord of many different languages.

Dwarvish

Dwarves use this language throughout Orzammar and the Deep Roads. It's a language that has few sharp or guttural sounds, and instead flows quite smoothly. It is quite succinct as well. A surface dwelling dwarf might know other languages, such as Alamar or Antivic, for trading purposes. Those dwarves who pursue life in Orzammar or in the Deep Roads will rarely learn any other language, unless by necessity.

Elven (spoken)

This language is a relic of the old Dalish civilization. Almost all Dalish elves speak it; some city elves might know bits and pieces of it. Rather, most city elves will know some hybrid between their current nation's language and Elven. To humans, it is considered foul tongued and a lesser language. Humans who choose to learn it are often scoffed at for their pursuits.
The elven script is almost entirely lost to the Dalish, with the exception to that being their Keepers and their Firsts. These individuals know the script, but refrain from teaching others, even other elves.

Orlesian

Most commonly spoken in Orlais, this language served as the basis for the naming conventions used by most organizations whose reach extends beyond one single nation. Using any language other than this in the Grand Game would be appalling. Due to Orlais' prominent war history, most battle formations and maneuvers are given names derived from Orlesian.

Planasene

This is the language of the common person in Nevarra. It is a difficult language to learn compared to Orlesian or Alamar due to the fact that it has a massive dictionary. Though there is an overabundance of words, Nevarrans appreciate this as it allows them to clearly get across what it is they mean in precise detail while needing fewer overall words. It is a dying language, as Alamar has started to take hold, but many cling to it as a sign of their heritage.

Rivant

This language is dying. It was most prominently used in Rivain during the academic renaissance prior to goliaths invading the country. Thus, most academic books and many tomes dealing with magic are written in this language. Some scholars still swear by it, holding great pride in their ability to proficiently read and write it.

Exotic Languages

Andrastian

Following the death of Andraste, the Chantry began to rise in power. Their interpretation of the Chant of Light pointed towards a language used in the creation of the world. A language was formed from snippets of the Chant and is nowadays learned by the most devout followers of the Maker, religious scholars, and Nevarrans who partake in religious debate. It is believed that this is how one would be able to speak to the Maker's divine servants, if they were ever to return.

Draconic

This has only been heard spoken on the rarest of occasions by the Dragon Phalanx of the Anderfels. Only dragonborn know this language well enough to consider themselves proficient in it.

Elven (written)

The Dalish Keepers and their Firsts are the only ones able to write this language (see Elven (spoken)).

Qunith

Primarily, goliaths only speak this language. Those few who have interacted with Qunith speakers say it sounds particular harsh. However, the singular Ferelden adventurer who ever got to visit Par Vollen said that the language makes perfect, beautiful sense when the entirety of the goliath people is understood. Most goliaths are far too stubborn to learn any other language, thus making this the only language they can be communicated with.

Sign Language

Throughout Thedas, there is a noticeable population of people who are deaf or who have taken vows of silence. Amongst these communities, informal languages have emerged that rely upon movements of the arms, hands, and face to express ideas rather than auditory cues. These languages, grouped together under the umbrella term "sign language", are not consistent between communities. However, given a short time, two people from different communities who rely upon sign language could bridge together enough ideas to communicate with one another.
It is believed that the foundation for sign language was created by the Silent Sisters.

Vile Speech

Vile Speech, sometimes also referred to as Malith, is considered heretical and evil. It is an incredibly rarity for someone to have learned this language. Common understanding dictates that this is language serves as the spoken medium through which maleficar channel their blood magic. As well, it is believed that the workings of this language were originally taught in dreams to naïve mages by demons seeking to possess these mages.
However, in Nevarra it is not considered necessarily evil as it may be in other places. Instead, members of the Mortalisi are taught this language and use it to cast their non-blood related magic. The Chantry does its best to snuff out instances where this language crop up, such as amongst cabals of unruly mages, but most believe that so long as people and demons exist, there will always be knowledge of Vile Speech.