Languages

Your race indicates the languages your character can speak by default, and your background might give you access to one or more additional languages of your choice. Note these languages on your character sheet.

Choose your languages from the Standard Languages table, or choose one that is common in your campaign. With your GM’s permission, you can instead choose a language from the Exotic Languages table or a secret language, such as thieves’ cant or the tongue of druids.

Some of these languages are actually families of languages with many dialects. For example, the Primordial language includes the Auran, Aquan, Ignan, and Terran dialects, one for each of the four elemental planes. Creatures that speak different dialects of the same language can communicate with one another.

Standard Languages

Language

Common

Dwarvish

Elvish

Giant

Gnomish

Goblin

Halfling

Orc

Typical Speakers

Humans

Dwarves

Elves

Ogres, Giants

Gnomes

Goblinoids

Halflings

Orcs

Script

Common

Dwarvish

Elvish

Dwarvish

Dwarvish

Dwarvish

Common

Dwarvish

Exotic Languages

Language

Abyssal

Celestial

Draconic

Deep Speech

Infernal

Primordial

Sylvan

Undercommon

Typical Speakers

Demons

Celestials

Dragons, dragonborn

Aboleths, cloakers

Devils

Elementals

Fey creatures

Underworld traders

Script

Infernal

Celestial

Draconic

-

Infernal

Dwarvish

Elvish

Elvish