Languages
The Ancient Language was once a language of all beings in Alagaësia, but was later used only by the elves and some humans, as well as the dwarves in the crowning of their king.It was used to command and regulate magic. Each act of magic was linked to a specific word; therefore, it was generally true that the more knowledge one had of the Ancient Language, the more magic they could perform.
It was impossible to lie in the Ancient Language because words spoken in the language were unquestionably true. Names in the Ancient Language were "true names" and the knowledge of such a title was a source of power and control. The same holds true of the name of the Ancient Language itself: the knowledge of the name allows one to change the meaning of its words.The Ancient Language was once spoken by all beings in Alagaësia, with the originators of the language being the Grey Folk. Prior to being intertwined with magic, magic was controlled exclusively by the thoughts of a spell-caster, usually only the elves, with the rare exception on a dragon.
Example : Bjartskular - Brightscales (an honorific for a dragon)
Dwarvish was the language spoken by the dwarves. It was one of the oldest languages in Alagaësia and used a runic alphabet.
Example : Vol Turin - The Endless Staircase
The Human Language is widely spoken in the Inheritance cycle. Some of all races know it, and Humans speak it most (as it is their language).
The Urgal Language was a simple one; however, many of the words used were unpronounceable to non-Urgals.
Example : Urgralgra - Urgals' name for themselves (literally: "those with horns") |
