Language: Dwarven (Dwarf)

Dwarven
Region(s): Everywhere Race(s): Dwarves

Dwarvish is the name for a family of languages used by dwarves. It is predominantly written using the Dethek alphabet but can also be written using common.

Although once a strong and exclusive language, actual dwarven words only make up a fraction of the words used by dwarves today. Many modern dwarves tend to speak common littered with dwarvish words. Among the surface dwelling dwarves record-keepers and historians are often the only ones left capable of fluently speaking the language.

The language followed dwarves all over Faerûn and beyond, making it an extremely widespread language. It is not uncommon for communities and races which have been separated for some time to evolve their own dialects.

This is less true for Underdark dwelling Dwarves where circumstances are different and exposure to the trade tongue has not changed the language remarkably. The Underdark communities take great care to preserve the integrity of their ancient tongue, not desiring to create language barriers in their communication with one another. Dwarves from the surface and underdark realms remain able to understand and communicate with one another, though surface dwarves usually need some time to catch up.

Dwarven reputedly stems from an ancient Elder language of unknown name. It has seen many incarnations and variations with the rise and fall of realms.