Difference between revisions of "Common Tongue"
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− | The '''Common Tongue''' | + | The '''Common Tongue'''{{ref|AGOT|11}}{{ref|ACOK|64}}{{ref|AFFC|11}} or '''Common Speech'''{{ref|ADWD|1}}{{Ref|adwd|38}} is a language commonly spoken in the [[Seven Kingdoms]] of [[Westeros]]. There are regional accents,{{ref|AGOT|26}}{{ref|AFFC|37}} but these do not result in a lack of comprehensibility. |
While some [[free folk]] who live [[beyond the Wall]] understand the Common Tongue, many clans instead speak local languages.{{ref|ASOS|15}} The [[Thenns]], for instance, speak the [[Old Tongue]] and can only speak a few words of the Common Tongue.{{ref|ASOS|26}} | While some [[free folk]] who live [[beyond the Wall]] understand the Common Tongue, many clans instead speak local languages.{{ref|ASOS|15}} The [[Thenns]], for instance, speak the [[Old Tongue]] and can only speak a few words of the Common Tongue.{{ref|ASOS|26}} | ||
==Language== | ==Language== | ||
− | + | Differences in speech can be observed between the highborn and [[smallfolk|lowborn]] of the [[Seven Kingdoms]].{{Ref|asos|1}}{{Ref|asos|25}}{{Ref|affc|45}}{{Ref|tss}} These differences can be found in the sound of their speech,{{Ref|affc|45}}{{Ref|agot|26}}{{Ref|affc|2}} but also in the use of specific phrases and words. An example is the use of "my lord" by nobles, but "m'lord" by peasants.{{Ref|adwd|32}} According to Lord [[Roose Bolton]], peasants pronounce "m'lord" as if they have mud in their mouths.{{Ref|adwd|32}} Although the degree of which it is used differs greatly between the common born, the lowborn patois can be seen in multiple further instances: | |
− | + | :'''Example 1''': ''"She ast me to, m'lord,"'' [[Mycah]] said. ''"She ''ast'' me to."..."It's not no sword, it's only a stick."''{{ref|AGOT|15}} | |
− | :'''Example | + | :'''Example 2''': ''"She don't know me,"'' he said, ''"but I knows her, oh, yes."''{{ref|AGOT|50}} |
− | + | Regional accents can lead someone to determine where a person has been born.{{Ref|agot|26}} This is not limited to the regions of [[Westeros]] ([[crownlands]], [[Dorne]], [[Iron Islands]], [[north]], [[Reach]], [[riverlands]], [[stormlands]], [[Vale of Arryn|Vale]], [[westerlands]]),{{Ref|agot|26}} but also specific cities.{{Ref|adwd|57}}{{Ref|adwd|66}} For example, [[Tyrion Lannister]], a highborn man from [[Casterly Rock]], near [[Lannisport]] in the [[westerlands]], tries to evade suspicion by claiming to be a noble's [[bastard]] son who grew up in [[Lannisport]],{{ref|ADWD|14}} thereby accounting for his speech. Another example is [[Samwell Tarly]], who is identified as a highborn by [[Pypar]], who states that Samwell is "[[southron]], most like near [[Highgarden]]", based solely on his speech.{{Ref|agot|26}} | |
− | + | The largest difference within the Seven Kingdoms can be found in [[Dorne]], where the Common Tongue is marked by the influences of the language of the [[Rhoynar]].{{Ref|adwd|1}}{{Ref|twoiaf| Dorne: Queer Customs of the South}} This influence can be found all over Dorne,{{Ref|adwd|1}} but most strongly among the salty [[Dornishmen]],{{Ref|twoiaf| Dorne: Queer Customs of the South}} who have the most Rhoynish blood.{{Ref|twoiaf| Dorne}} The Dornish speak with a Dornish drawl,{{Ref|affc|0}}{{Ref|affc|20}}{{Ref|affc|45}} stretching, rolling, or lilting some words.{{Ref|twoiaf| Dorne: Queer Customs of the South}} Some describe the Dornish speech as charming.{{Ref| twoiaf| Dorne: Queer Customs of the South}} | |
==Quotes== | ==Quotes== | ||
− | {{Quote|"I swear it," she said in the Common Tongue of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] that | + | {{quote|Yes, [[Westeros]] has regional accents. I played with the idea of trying to depict them with phonetic misspellings (and indeed I do a little of that, with some less educated characters), but that way lies madness. I try to suggest the accents with syntax and taglines instead.<ref>[[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/2802 Cyvasse, Accents, Historical Mysteries, and Dornish Nationalism], April 18, 2008</ref>}} - [[George R. R. Martin]] |
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | {{Quote|"I swear it," she said in the Common Tongue of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] that [[House Targaryen|by rights]] were hers.{{Ref|aGoT|72}}}} - [[Daenerys Targaryen]] to [[Jorah Mormont]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | {{Quote|Tyrion took a mordant pleasure in inventing the details of the colorful life of Hugor Hill, also known as Yollo, a bastard out of [[Lannisport]]. The best lies are seasoned with a bit of truth. The [[dwarf]] knew he sounded like a [[westerlands|westerman]], and a highborn westerman at that, so Hugor must needs be some [[lord]]ling's by-blow. Born in Lannisport because he knew that city better than [[Oldtown]] or [[King's Landing]], and cities were where most dwarfs ended up.{{ref|ADWD|14}}}} - thoughts of [[Tyrion Lannister]] | ||
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[[es:Lengua Común]] | [[es:Lengua Común]] | ||
[[fr:Langue Commune]] | [[fr:Langue Commune]] | ||
+ | [[ru:Общий язык]] | ||
[[zh:通用语]] | [[zh:通用语]] | ||
− |
Revision as of 15:59, 20 February 2018
The Common Tongue[1][2][3] or Common Speech[4][5] is a language commonly spoken in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. There are regional accents,[6][7] but these do not result in a lack of comprehensibility.
While some free folk who live beyond the Wall understand the Common Tongue, many clans instead speak local languages.[8] The Thenns, for instance, speak the Old Tongue and can only speak a few words of the Common Tongue.[9]
Language
Differences in speech can be observed between the highborn and lowborn of the Seven Kingdoms.[10][11][12][13] These differences can be found in the sound of their speech,[12][6][14] but also in the use of specific phrases and words. An example is the use of "my lord" by nobles, but "m'lord" by peasants.[15] According to Lord Roose Bolton, peasants pronounce "m'lord" as if they have mud in their mouths.[15] Although the degree of which it is used differs greatly between the common born, the lowborn patois can be seen in multiple further instances:
- Example 1: "She ast me to, m'lord," Mycah said. "She ast me to."..."It's not no sword, it's only a stick."[16]
- Example 2: "She don't know me," he said, "but I knows her, oh, yes."[17]
Regional accents can lead someone to determine where a person has been born.[6] This is not limited to the regions of Westeros (crownlands, Dorne, Iron Islands, north, Reach, riverlands, stormlands, Vale, westerlands),[6] but also specific cities.[18][19] For example, Tyrion Lannister, a highborn man from Casterly Rock, near Lannisport in the westerlands, tries to evade suspicion by claiming to be a noble's bastard son who grew up in Lannisport,[20] thereby accounting for his speech. Another example is Samwell Tarly, who is identified as a highborn by Pypar, who states that Samwell is "southron, most like near Highgarden", based solely on his speech.[6]
The largest difference within the Seven Kingdoms can be found in Dorne, where the Common Tongue is marked by the influences of the language of the Rhoynar.[4][21] This influence can be found all over Dorne,[4] but most strongly among the salty Dornishmen,[21] who have the most Rhoynish blood.[22] The Dornish speak with a Dornish drawl,[23][24][12] stretching, rolling, or lilting some words.[21] Some describe the Dornish speech as charming.[21]
Quotes
"I swear it," she said in the Common Tongue of the Seven Kingdoms that by rights were hers.[26]
- Daenerys Targaryen to Jorah Mormont
Tyrion took a mordant pleasure in inventing the details of the colorful life of Hugor Hill, also known as Yollo, a bastard out of Lannisport. The best lies are seasoned with a bit of truth. The dwarf knew he sounded like a westerman, and a highborn westerman at that, so Hugor must needs be some lordling's by-blow. Born in Lannisport because he knew that city better than Oldtown or King's Landing, and cities were where most dwarfs ended up.[20]
- thoughts of Tyrion Lannister
- thoughts of Tyrion Lannister
References
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
- ↑ A Clash of Kings, Chapter 64, Arya X.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 11, The Kraken's Daughter.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 1, Tyrion I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 38, The Watcher.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 A Game of Thrones, Chapter 26, Jon IV.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 37, Brienne VII.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 15, Jon II.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 26, Jon III.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 1, Jaime I.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 25, Davos III.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 A Feast for Crows, Chapter 45, Samwell V.
- ↑ The Sworn Sword.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 2, The Captain Of Guards.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 32, Reek III.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 15, Sansa I.
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 50, Arya IV.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 57, Tyrion XI.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 66, Tyrion XII.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 14, Tyrion IV.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 The World of Ice & Fire, Dorne: Queer Customs of the South.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Dorne.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Prologue.
- ↑ A Feast for Crows, Chapter 20, Brienne IV.
- ↑ So Spake Martin: Cyvasse, Accents, Historical Mysteries, and Dornish Nationalism, April 18, 2008
- ↑ A Game of Thrones, Chapter 72, Daenerys X.