DND 5e Languages Guide
There is more to Dungeons and Dragons than just the gameplay. A seasoned DnD 5e player knows that one needs to dive in deep to understand everything DnD 5e has to offer. For example, did you know that there are different Dnd 5e languages to choose from? There is no reason for you or anyone to know. In the majority of the DnD 5e campaigns, DnD languages are an afterthought. However, these 5e languages play a significant role in the majority of the other campaigns.
Generally, there is one language spoken by the characters in Dnd 5e, the “Common.” This is the DnD language that unifies most of the isolated communities and even a certain number of monster groups. But Dungeons and Dragons has a ton of languages beyond what you find in the player’s handbook. While the common is generally the language spoken by the elves, dwarves, gnomes, halflings, and other characters in DnD 5e, there are several different D&D 5E languages to choose from in the game.
Every character in DnD has a particular background. You can either choose one from the preset backgrounds, or you can build a custom background. The majority of the backgrounds let your character learn either or two DnD languages. But choosing a 5e language from a pool of languages can be tough. This is where we come in. In this article, we walk you through all the DnD 5e Languages.
List Of Languages DnD 5e
Here is a list of all the D&D 5e languages you should know about. You may want to note them down on your character sheet.
5e Languages | Speakers | Script |
Common | Humans | Common |
Dwarvish | Dwarves | Dwarvish |
Elvish | Elves | Elvish |
Giant | Ogres, Giants | Dwarvish |
Gnomish | Gnomes | Dwarvish |
Goblin | Goblinoids | Dwarvish |
Halfling | Halflings | Common |
Orc | Orcs | Dwarvish |
Undercommon | Underdark Traders | Elvish |
Terren | Dwarves | Dwarven |
Abyssal | Demons | Infernal |
Celestialyour | Celestials | Celestial |
Draconic | Dragons, Dragonborn | Draconic |
Deep Speech | Abloeths, Cloakers | – |
Infernal | Devils | Infernal |
Primordial | Elementals | Dwarvish |
Sylvan | Fey Creatures | available |
Undercommon | Underworld Traders | Elvish |
1. Sources of D&D 5E Languages
The D&D 5E languages mentioned in the article can be found in the D&D 5e Books. You can learn more about 5E languages by reading books such as:
- The Player’s Handbook
- Sword Coast Adventurous Guide
- Monsters Manual
- Volvos Guide to Monsters
You can find any of your favorite 5e Languages inside these books and learn more about them in detail. Blow, we have provided a list of languages alongside the book in which you can find them.
Standard Languages
- Common (PHB)
- Dwarvish (PHB)
- Elvish (PHB)
- Giant (PHB)
- Gnomish (PHB)
- Goblin (PHB)
- Halfling (PHB)
- Orc (PHB)
Standard Languages(Ravnica):
- Abyssal 5e (PHB)
- Celestial 5e (PHB)
- Common 5e (PHB)
- Draconic 5e (PHB)
- Elvish 5e (PHB)
- Giant 5e (PHB)
- Kraul 5e (GGtR)
- Loxodon 5e (GGtR)
- Merfolk 5e (GGtR)
- Minotaur 5e (GGtR)
- Sphinx 5e (MM)
- Vedalkin 5e (GGtR)
Exotic Languages:
- Abyssal (PHB)
- Celestial (PHB)
- Draconic (PHB)
- Deep Speech (PHB)
- Infernal (PHB)
- Primodial (PHB)
- Aquan
- Auran
- Ignan
- Terran
- Sylvan (PHB)
- Undercommon (PHB)
Race/Class-Specific Languages:
- Aarakocra (VGtM)
- Druidic (PHB)
- Gith (MToF)
- Thieves’ Cant (PHB)
2. Choosing A 5e Language
Once you have taken a look, you will find that there are plenty of D&D 5E languages to choose from. Every character in the game has a unique language. Similarly, your character background can sometimes allow you to learn one more language. Now that you know all the available languages, making a choice isn’t that difficult. All you need to do is fulfill the basic criteria, and you’re all set. To choose a new 5e languages, follow the given steps to get started.
- Your character should know at least two 5e languages before he starts Level 1.
- The default character 5e language is fixed as per the character’s race.
- If you are playing the Half-Elf, you can approach the Dungeon Master (DM). The DM will then provide you with additional D&D 5e languages.
- Also, your character’s background will also help you access one or more 5e languages.
- Once you have selected your Initial DnD Language, you will need to maintain your character sheet.
- You can choose your language from the Standards Language Table. Note that your desired 5e language is common in your campaign.
- To choose an Exotic Language, you will have to discuss it with your DM and get his consent for the same.
- If you choose an exotic language, then that language will give you an edge since people speaking Common won’t understand it.
- “Speak Language Skill” is better to purchase than getting the rank through any skill you have.
To learn more languages, you will have to enhance your character levels.
3. DND 5E Language Translator
Before getting to the official DnD language translator, it is important that you keep track of the DnD languages alphabet.
5E Languages | Alphabet |
Abyssal | Infernal |
Aquan | Elven |
Auran | Draconic |
Celestial | Celestial |
Common | Common |
Draconic | Draconic |
Druidic | Druidic |
Dwarven | Dwarven |
Even | Elven |
Giant | Dwarven |
Gnome | Dwarven |
Goblin | Dwarven |
Gnoll | Common |
Halfling | Common |
Ignan | Draconic |
Infernal | Infernal |
Orc | Dwarven |
Sylvan | Elven |
Terran | Dwarven |
Undercommon | Elven |
I. Abyssal
Common: | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
Abyssal: | u | r | l | w | x | p | f | t | xy | h | e | q | k | s | i | j | m | y | z | d | o | b | n | c | g | n |
II. Giant
Common: | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
Giant: | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | am | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
III. Orc
Common: | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
Orc: | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | Ok | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
IV. Sylvan
Common: | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
Sylvan: | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
V. Dragon
Common: | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
Dragon: | a | b | c | d | r | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | d | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
VI. Dwarf
Common: | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
Dwarf/Dwarven: | E | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | Tha | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
VII. Elvish
Common: | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
Elvish: | Ai | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | sal | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
VIII. Primordial
Common: | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
Primordial: | ukh | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | mnhi | j | k | l | m | n | kny | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
IX. Draconic
Common: | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
Draconic: | e | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | se | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
X. Orcish
Common: | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
Orc/Orcish: | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | Ok | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
XI. Infernal
Common: | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x | y | z |
Infernal: | xe | c | z | j | h | a | n | p | f | k | t | v | e | d | i | y | l | r | s | x | o | b | w | q | m | g |
Conclusion
We hope our article was successfully able to walk you through all the different D&D 5e languages. The more enhanced your character levels are in DnD 5e, the more 5E languages you can learn in the game. Also, your character background comes in handy since many such backgrounds let your character learn more than one language. While the language factor is generally overlooked, it sure plays a significant role in most of the campaigns you undertake in DnD 5e.