Languages - Revision history

Twiggy at 20:15, 4 October 2025

2025-10-04T20:15:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:15, 4 October 2025
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	The exception is Latin which is relatively common. In Empire Latin represents Old Asavean, a forerunner tongue widely used on the Asavean Archipelago, it was once the common tongue of diplomats throughout the world. The language is ancient, it was known as Old Asavean even before the Empire formed. It was widely used for diplomacy and negotiation and was spoken by the rich and powerful across the world as a result.		The exception is Latin which is relatively common. In Empire Latin represents Old Asavean, a forerunner tongue widely used on the Asavean Archipelago, it was once the common tongue of diplomats throughout the world. The language is ancient, it was known as Old Asavean even before the Empire formed. It was widely used for diplomacy and negotiation and was spoken by the rich and powerful across the world as a result.

	At the time of the Empire's formation, it was a common second language for high-status citizens of the nations on the Bay of Catazar, and especially amongst the Dawnish. It was present but rarer in the northern nations. In ~~6 Y.E.~~ the [[First Empress]] ruled that as a matter of Pride in her Empire, her Senate and Synod would speak "Imperial", not Old Asavean, in debate. The decision was not universally popular in the South, but it was grudgingly accepted.		At the time of the Empire's formation, it was a common second language for high-status citizens of the nations on the Bay of Catazar, and especially amongst the Dawnish. It was present but rarer in the northern nations. In 6YE the [[First Empress]] ruled that as a matter of Pride in her Empire, her Senate and Synod would speak "Imperial", not Old Asavean, in debate. The decision was not universally popular in the South, but it was grudgingly accepted.

	As the last generation of Old Asavean speakers died out in the Empire, the language had a brief resurgence as young Imperial (especially Dawnish and Catazarri Leaguer) citizens associated it with the glory of the great leaders who built their Empire. Since then, it has persisted as a minor but high-status language, (ironically) associated with the glory of the first days of the Empire. Short phrases are often seen on banners, and as with any language, it has left remnants in the Imperial tongue.		As the last generation of Old Asavean speakers died out in the Empire, the language had a brief resurgence as young Imperial (especially Dawnish and Catazarri Leaguer) citizens associated it with the glory of the great leaders who built their Empire. Since then, it has persisted as a minor but high-status language, (ironically) associated with the glory of the first days of the Empire. Short phrases are often seen on banners, and as with any language, it has left remnants in the Imperial tongue.

Hailmur: /* European Languages */

2024-08-20T04:46:51Z

European Languages

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:46, 20 August 2024
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	==European Languages==		==European Languages==
	~~The Empire is the most powerful state on the continent, but there are states on other continents whose power rivals that of the Empire. Interactions between the Empire and these countries is limited~~ - ~~the distances and dangers of travel are too great to allow any possibility of military action, but diplomacy and trade do flow back and forth.~~		<div style="width: 600px; float: right; clear: left; margin-right:10px;">

	~~We have created descriptions of several powerful rival states - and specified the language (or languages in many cases) used by the people who live there.~~

	{\|		{\|
	\| '''OOC Language/Language-Group''' \|\| '''IC name''' \|\| '''Foreign Nation'''		\| '''OOC Language/Language-Group''' \|\| '''IC name''' \|\| '''Foreign Nation'''
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	\| Slavic \|\| Jarmish \|\| [[Principalities_of_Jarm \| The Principalities of Jarm]]		\| Slavic \|\| Jarmish \|\| [[Principalities_of_Jarm \| The Principalities of Jarm]]
	\|}		\|}
			</div>
			The Empire is the most powerful state on the continent, but there are states on other continents whose power rivals that of the Empire. Interactions between the Empire and these countries is limited - the distances and dangers of travel are too great to allow any possibility of military action, but diplomacy and trade do flow back and forth.

			We have created descriptions of several powerful rival states - and specified the language (or languages in many cases) used by the people who live there.

	==Latin==		==Latin==

Hailmur at 04:45, 20 August 2024

2024-08-20T04:45:56Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:45, 20 August 2024
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	==Overview==		==Overview==
	In Empire we use real world languages as phys-reps for game languages. The most obvious example is the English language, which in the game is the common tongue for the Empire. However several other languages are also used in the setting, players can use these languages in play if they are familiar with them.		In Empire we use real world languages as phys-reps for game languages. The most obvious example is the English language, which in the game is the common tongue for the Empire. However several other languages are also used in the setting, players can use these languages in play if they are familiar with them.
			<!--fix-->
	Language is a hard-skill in the Empire game, meaning that your character is entitled to speak any languages only as well as you can. We do not use any system of hand-signs, cards, or declarations to signify that a language being spoken is portraying another language in the game. Some character options are only available to players who are fluent in a foreign language as a result of this requirement. Google Translate or similar mechanisms should not be used to automatically translate written documents.		Language is a hard-skill in the Empire game, meaning that your character is entitled to speak any languages only as well as you can. We do not use any system of hand-signs, cards, or declarations to signify that a language being spoken is portraying another language in the game. Some character options are only available to players who are fluent in a foreign language as a result of this requirement. Google Translate or similar mechanisms should not be used to automatically translate written documents.

Spoondog at 18:50, 14 April 2023

2023-04-14T18:50:45Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:50, 14 April 2023
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	The Empire is the most powerful state on the continent, but there are states on other continents whose power rivals that of the Empire. Interactions between the Empire and these countries is limited - the distances and dangers of travel are too great to allow any possibility of military action, but diplomacy and trade do flow back and forth.		The Empire is the most powerful state on the continent, but there are states on other continents whose power rivals that of the Empire. Interactions between the Empire and these countries is limited - the distances and dangers of travel are too great to allow any possibility of military action, but diplomacy and trade do flow back and forth.

	We have created descriptions of several powerful rival states - and specified the language (or languages in many cases) used by the people who live there~~. You cannot play a character who was raised in that state unless you are a ''fluent'' speaker of one of the listed languages~~.		We have created descriptions of several powerful rival states - and specified the language (or languages in many cases) used by the people who live there.

	{\|		{\|

Spoondog at 18:49, 14 April 2023

2023-04-14T18:49:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:49, 14 April 2023
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	The Empire is the most powerful state on the continent, but there are states on other continents whose power rivals that of the Empire. Interactions between the Empire and these countries is limited - the distances and dangers of travel are too great to allow any possibility of military action, but diplomacy and trade do flow back and forth.		The Empire is the most powerful state on the continent, but there are states on other continents whose power rivals that of the Empire. Interactions between the Empire and these countries is limited - the distances and dangers of travel are too great to allow any possibility of military action, but diplomacy and trade do flow back and forth.

	We have created descriptions of several powerful rival states - and specified the language (or languages in many cases) used by the people who live there. You cannot play a character who was raised in that state unless you are a ''fluent'' speaker of one of the listed languages~~. If you are fluent then you can choose to either play a native of that land or to play an Imperial citizen who has learned to speak the language fluently~~.		We have created descriptions of several powerful rival states - and specified the language (or languages in many cases) used by the people who live there. You cannot play a character who was raised in that state unless you are a ''fluent'' speaker of one of the listed languages.

	{\|		{\|

Matt: /* Other British Languages */

2022-09-17T01:31:41Z

Other British Languages

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:31, 17 September 2022
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	As the last generation of Old Asavean speakers died out in the Empire, the language had a brief resurgence as young Imperial (especially Dawnish and Catazarri Leaguer) citizens associated it with the glory of the great leaders who built their Empire. Since then, it has persisted as a minor but high-status language, (ironically) associated with the glory of the first days of the Empire. Short phrases are often seen on banners, and as with any language, it has left remnants in the Imperial tongue.		As the last generation of Old Asavean speakers died out in the Empire, the language had a brief resurgence as young Imperial (especially Dawnish and Catazarri Leaguer) citizens associated it with the glory of the great leaders who built their Empire. Since then, it has persisted as a minor but high-status language, (ironically) associated with the glory of the first days of the Empire. Short phrases are often seen on banners, and as with any language, it has left remnants in the Imperial tongue.

	==~~Other British~~ Languages==		==Celtic Languages==
	Languages of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brittonic_languages Brythonic] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goidelic Goidelic] language group such as Welsh or Gaelic represent Iaith, a tongue widely used on the continent centuries before the Empire was created. This language had many sub-dialects and was already dying out before the destruction of [[Navarr_history\|Terunael]]. A few communities sought to preserve their language and there are communities in the Empire even today where these old languages are spoken.		Languages of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brittonic_languages Brythonic] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goidelic Goidelic] language group such as Welsh, Irish, or Gaelic represent Iaith, a tongue widely used on the continent centuries before the Empire was created. This language had many sub-dialects and was already dying out before the destruction of [[Navarr_history\|Terunael]]. A few communities sought to preserve their language and there are communities in the Empire even today where these old languages are spoken.

	If you speak or read any of these language then you are welcome to use this in-character as the ancient cultural language Iaith, it represents a dialect of this ancient tongue that your character or your community has preserved.		If you speak or read any of these language then you are welcome to use this in-character as the ancient cultural language Iaith, it represents a dialect of this ancient tongue that your character or your community has preserved.

Matt: /* Other Languages */

2021-06-28T11:49:06Z

Other Languages

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:49, 28 June 2021
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	A useful introductory video made as part of the Access:LARP project which discusses BSL in live roleplaying and also includes suggestions for specifically Empire related signs can be found on Robin Tynan's YouTube channel [https://youtu.be/2PqHU24qFiM here].		A useful introductory video made as part of the Access:LARP project which discusses BSL in live roleplaying and also includes suggestions for specifically Empire related signs can be found on Robin Tynan's YouTube channel [https://youtu.be/2PqHU24qFiM here].
	==Other Languages==		==Other Languages==
	There are obviously many more languages than are covered here, ~~and~~ it is perfectly fine to use ~~those languages~~ in play if you want to~~. We're very unlikely to define a place for those languages in the setting, however~~. If you ~~need to explain~~ a language ~~you are using~~ that isn't one of those we've ~~included,~~ the ~~simplest~~ thing is to say ~~it's~~ a language spoken by ~~your grandparents~~ who emigrated to the Empire from outside the known world, and that ~~they didn't talk about the old country much~~.		There are obviously many more languages than are covered here. We have no current plans to explicitly define a place for other real world languages in the setting, but it is perfectly fine to use another language in play if you want to. If you are using a language that isn't one of those we've listed here and you need to explain where it comes from then the best thing to say its that is a language spoken by a distant ancestor of yours who emigrated to the Empire from outside the known world. Avoid going into too any details about the source of the language so that we avoid continuity and consistency problems; ideally just give a place a name if you have to and avoid details beyond that.

	[[Category:The Empire]]		[[Category:The Empire]]
	[[Category:The World]]		[[Category:The World]]

Rafferty: /* British Sign Language */

2021-06-28T11:43:55Z

British Sign Language

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:43, 28 June 2021
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	'''Other Resources'''<br>		'''Other Resources'''<br>
	A useful introductory video made as part of the Access:LARP project which discusses BSL in live roleplaying and also includes suggestions for specifically Empire related signs can be found on Robin Tynan's YouTube channel [https://youtu.be/2PqHU24qFiM here].		A useful introductory video made as part of the Access:LARP project which discusses BSL in live roleplaying and also includes suggestions for specifically Empire related signs can be found on Robin Tynan's YouTube channel [https://youtu.be/2PqHU24qFiM here].
			==Other Languages==
			There are obviously many more languages than are covered here, and it is perfectly fine to use those languages in play if you want to. We're very unlikely to define a place for those languages in the setting, however. If you need to explain a language you are using that isn't one of those we've included, the simplest thing is to say it's a language spoken by your grandparents who emigrated to the Empire from outside the known world, and that they didn't talk about the old country much.

	[[Category:The Empire]]		[[Category:The Empire]]
	[[Category:The World]]		[[Category:The World]]

Matt: /* Latin */

2020-08-03T10:28:51Z

Latin

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:28, 3 August 2020
Line 34:		Line 34:
	The exception is Latin which is relatively common. In Empire Latin represents Old Asavean, a forerunner tongue widely used on the Asavean Archipelago, it was once the common tongue of diplomats throughout the world. The language is ancient, it was known as Old Asavean even before the Empire formed. It was widely used for diplomacy and negotiation and was spoken by the rich and powerful across the world as a result.		The exception is Latin which is relatively common. In Empire Latin represents Old Asavean, a forerunner tongue widely used on the Asavean Archipelago, it was once the common tongue of diplomats throughout the world. The language is ancient, it was known as Old Asavean even before the Empire formed. It was widely used for diplomacy and negotiation and was spoken by the rich and powerful across the world as a result.

	At the time of the Empire's formation, it was a common second language for high-status citizens of the nations on the Bay of Catazar, and especially amongst the Dawnish. It was present but rarer in the northern nations. In 6 Y.E. the First Empress ruled that as a matter of Pride in her Empire, her Senate and Synod would speak "Imperial", not Old Asavean, in debate. The decision was not universally popular in the South, but it was grudgingly accepted.		At the time of the Empire's formation, it was a common second language for high-status citizens of the nations on the Bay of Catazar, and especially amongst the Dawnish. It was present but rarer in the northern nations. In 6 Y.E. the [[First Empress]] ruled that as a matter of Pride in her Empire, her Senate and Synod would speak "Imperial", not Old Asavean, in debate. The decision was not universally popular in the South, but it was grudgingly accepted.

	As the last generation of Old Asavean speakers died out in the Empire, the language had a brief resurgence as young Imperial (especially Dawnish and Catazarri Leaguer) citizens associated it with the glory of the great leaders who built their Empire. Since then, it has persisted as a minor but high-status language, (ironically) associated with the glory of the first days of the Empire. Short phrases are often seen on banners, and as with any language, it has left remnants in the Imperial tongue.		As the last generation of Old Asavean speakers died out in the Empire, the language had a brief resurgence as young Imperial (especially Dawnish and Catazarri Leaguer) citizens associated it with the glory of the great leaders who built their Empire. Since then, it has persisted as a minor but high-status language, (ironically) associated with the glory of the first days of the Empire. Short phrases are often seen on banners, and as with any language, it has left remnants in the Imperial tongue.

Matt at 08:57, 30 April 2020

2020-04-30T08:57:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:57, 30 April 2020
Line 8:		Line 8:
	English is used to represent the language commonly spoken by all citizens of the Empire. Although it is usually called "Imperial" by Imperial citizens the same language is spoken right across the continent - and most folk in other lands refer to it by their own name (for example in Axos the same language is called Axou) so some folk refer to it simply as "Common". Other residents of the continent may speak the language with a strong accent, but English represents their first language also, so the stereotypical broken English is not appropriate in anyway.		English is used to represent the language commonly spoken by all citizens of the Empire. Although it is usually called "Imperial" by Imperial citizens the same language is spoken right across the continent - and most folk in other lands refer to it by their own name (for example in Axos the same language is called Axou) so some folk refer to it simply as "Common". Other residents of the continent may speak the language with a strong accent, but English represents their first language also, so the stereotypical broken English is not appropriate in anyway.

	Due to the considerable power of the Empire over the last four centuries, the Imperial language is also a widely-spoken trading and diplomatic dialect in the wider world. If you are playing a character who is originally a [[Foreign_nations#Distant_Foreigner\|distant ~~foreigner~~]] - a character who has come to the Empire from overseas - then your character's mastery of Imperial is exactly as good as your English.		Due to the considerable power of the Empire over the last four centuries, the Imperial language is also a widely-spoken trading and diplomatic dialect in the wider world. If you are playing a character who is originally a [[Foreign_nations#Distant_Foreigner\|distant foreigners]] - a character who has come to the Empire from overseas - then your character's mastery of Imperial is exactly as good as your English.

	==European Languages==		==European Languages==