The Languages of Rhean

On the Languages of Rhean
There are a number of linguistic families of Rhean. All racial languages are related; thus, there are Dwarvish, Elvish, Gnomish, Halfling, Human, and Goblin families. Of these, the Human languages are the most varied. For purposes of rules in language familiarity, therefore, the Human languages are divided into several distinct sub-families: Rheen, Yarrin, Norrald, Daehl, Allitoian, and Simean.

Languages by Family
In the following list, each grouping is related. Therefore, if you speak any language within a group, you will have some skill in any other language. Although this varies with the closeness of the individual langages, a general rule is to halve any skill use with a similar language. When selecting languages under Homelands, only modern languages are typically listed; in most cases, however, older versions of the tongues will also be allowed. If a particular language is not listed when the family is otherwise found in the area, it may still be allowed; talk to the GM, as your character's background could determine if you would have access to this or not. Also, please note that only fairly distinct languages are listed here; there are naturally a large number of dialetical variations in each group.

Dwarvish

• Ancient Dwarvish
• Eastern Dwarvish
• Western Dwarvish

Elvish

• Ancient Elvish
• Grey Elven
• High Elven
• Sun Elven
• Silvan Elven
• Wild Elven

Gnomish

Halfling

Allitoian

• Old Allitoian
• Waldan
• Modern Allitoian
• Arrean

Simean

• Old Simean
• Modern Simean
• Eastern Simean

Rheen

• Ancient Rheen
• Modern Rheen
• Modern Rhein

Yarrin

• Ancient Yarrin
• Modern Yarrin
• Relnish
• Y'narrin

Norrald

• Ancient Norrald
• Modern Norrald
• Bardic (Poetic)
• Beaumal
• Mittald (unused now, language of north pre-Yarrin refugees)

The years of separation caused the elvish language to diverge, so that each sub-race developed its own variant. Still, the Aqualondë dwelt in such proximity that each language influenced the others; and so many similarities and cross-overs came about. The language of the Ithilvalë is held to be the common tongue of Elvendom, but knowing one, you may understand at least some of any. Certain rules are common to all Elvish, as follows:
Consonants

• when consonants are written twice they are pronounced separately, one with each syllable, in most cases; occasionally they are pronounced long. This difference can also be one of accent.
• 'c' is pronounced as a very quick, soft C, not as K. It is less pronounced than 's'.
• 'y' is pronounced most often as a consonant in High and Grey Elven. It is pronounced as almost a combination of the consonant and vowel forms of English Y in Silvan and Wild Elven. The Sun Elves use it only in borrowed forms, so it mostly appears as a consonant.
• 'ch' is pronounced as the first ch in church.
• 's' is always voiceless (i.e. do not pronounce as Z).
• 'g' is pronounced as in get.

• paired vowels are pronounced separately in most cases. So 'Sain' is pronounced "sa•in" not as English sane.
• 'a' is pronounced as in father.
• 'e' is pronounced as in bed.
• 'i' is pronounced as Spanish 'i', as the 'ee' in English seek. This is softened in Silvan and Wild Elven, and also at the beginning of words.
• 'o' is as in English so, but rounder.
• 'u' is as in English too in High, Grey, and Sun Elven; in Wild and Silvan Elven it is as in English brute. This difference is minor.
• 'oy' is mostly pronounced as in English.
• 'y', if appearing where a vowel is needed, is pronounced as English short i.
• 'ë' has the sound of Spanish 'e', as the 'ay' in English say.
• 'ï' has the sound of 'i' in shine. This is rare.
• 'ö' has the sound of 'ou' in sour or south.

Elvish-to-English Glossary
note: endings are given as "-xx", such as "-rië"; prefixes are similar ("xx-").

Simean
Vowels: Simeans use both hard - or long - and soft vowels, in a manner very similar to modern English. Vowels are generally soft; a vowel preceding an 's', or followed by an 'e' or by a consonant and then an 'e' are long. When 'e' appears at the end of a word, it is silent, as in English. Thus Sornos is pronounced sor•nòs; Dane is pronounced as it is in English. Certain other constructions alter the vowel in the same way, such as '-ght' following a vowel. In general, common English pronunciation rules will work for Simean vowels. Simean does not often place vowels together. Most of the words which have vowels next to each other are either older words, or have been borrowed from Allitoian.

Consonants in Simean are clearly pronounced and often given more time than vowels. There is a clear difference between 's' and 'z', and they are never pronounced in the same manner. A 'c' is always hard, as a 'k' sound, but they do not use the letter K. Naturally, particular scribes may use replace C with K, or use C sometimes for either K or S.