What are the Languages Spoken in Game of Thrones?

Are you a Game of Thrones (GoT) fan wondering what languages the characters are speaking? With its vast, imaginary world and its different cultures, George R. R. Martin’s epic fantasy series features a plethora of languages, from the fictional ones to the real ones. Lets explore the different languages spoken in the show and the books that inspired it.

A Brief Overview of Game of Thrones

Before diving into the different languages spoken in the show, let’s have a brief overview of the series. GoT is a medieval fantasy drama television series created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss for HBO. It’s based on George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, a series of novels that began with A Game of Thrones, published in 1996. The show premiered in 2011 and ended in 2019, running for eight seasons.

The Common Tongue

The Common Tongue, also known as the Common Speech, is the most widely spoken language in the Seven Kingdoms. It’s similar to English in syntax and grammar, making it the easiest language for the viewers to understand. The Common Tongue is the official language of the realm and is used by characters from different regions.

The Old Tongue

The Old Tongue is a language spoken by the Free Folk, also known as the Wildlings, who live beyond the Wall. It’s a harsh-sounding language with guttural sounds and throaty consonants. The Old Tongue is rarely used in the show, but it’s a vital aspect of the Free Folk’s culture.

High Valyrian

High Valyrian is an ancient language spoken by the Valyrian Freehold, a powerful civilization that ruled Essos for thousands of years before its downfall. In the show, High Valyrian is spoken by Daenerys Targaryen, a member of the Targaryen dynasty, who considers herself the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. The language has a complex grammar and syntax, making it challenging to learn.

Dothraki

Dothraki is a fictional language spoken by the Dothraki people, a nomadic tribe of warriors who roam the vast Dothraki Sea. The language was created by linguist David J. Peterson for the show, and it has a harsh and guttural sound, similar to the Old Tongue. The language plays a significant role in the show, especially in the early seasons when Daenerys is taken captive by the Dothraki.

Braavosi

Braavosi is a language spoken in the Free City of Braavos, a wealthy city-state across the Narrow Sea. It’s a melting pot of different languages and cultures, making it challenging to learn. Braavosi is spoken by the Faceless Men, a mysterious guild of assassins who worship the Many-Faced God. The language has a melodic and sing-song quality, making it pleasant to the ear.

Braavosi

Braavosi is a language spoken in the Free City of Braavos, and is characterized by its sing-song intonation and flowing rhythms. It is a relatively new language in the show’s universe, having been developed specifically for the series by David J. Peterson.

Ghiscari

Ghiscari is an ancient language spoken in the cities of Slaver’s Bay, and is characterized by its harsh and guttural sounds. It is based on real-life languages such as Arabic and Hebrew, and adds to the exoticism of the cities where it is spoken.

Old Tongue

The Old Tongue is an ancient language spoken by the Free Folk beyond the Wall. It is characterized by its harsh, guttural sounds, and is said to have magical properties. The Old Tongue is rarely spoken in the show, but adds to the mystique and otherworldliness of the Free Folk.

Skroth

Skroth is a language spoken by the Thenns, a tribe of wildlings who live beyond the Wall. It is a harsh and guttural language, and is characterized by its use of clicks and pops. Skroth adds to the otherworldly nature of the Thenns, and sets them apart from the other tribes of wildlings.

Summer Tongue

Summer Tongue is the language spoken by the children of the forest, a magical and mysterious race of beings who live in the forests of Westeros. It is a musical language, characterized by its use of high-pitched whistles and trills. The use of Summer Tongue adds to the ethereal and otherworldly nature of the children of the forest.

These are just a few examples of the many languages spoken in Game of Thrones, each of which adds to the richness and depth of the show’s universe.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Game of Thrones features a wide variety of languages, both real and fictional, that add depth and richness to the show’s universe. From the Common Tongue to High Valyrian and Dothraki, each language helps to establish the different cultures and peoples in the series, making it a more immersive and believable world for the viewers. If you’re interested in learning more about the languages spoken in the show, there are plenty of resources available online that can help you get started.

So, the next time you watch an episode of Game of Thrones, pay attention to the different languages spoken by the characters, and try to pick up a few words or phrases. Who knows, you might even be able to hold a conversation in Dothraki or High Valyrian someday!

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