Here is how the Languages works in the DND 5E, Once you move Beyond 1st Level in the game. A typical creature in the game world has an alignment, which broadly describes its moral and personal attitudes.
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.
Table of Contents
Standard Languages
Language | Typical 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 |
Exotic Languages
Language | Typical Speakers | Script |
---|---|---|
Abyssal | Demons | Infernal |
Celestial | Celestials | Celestial |
Draconic | Dragons, dragonborn | Draconic |
Deep Speech | Aboleths, cloakers | — |
Infernal | Devils | Infernal |
Primordial | Elementals | Dwarvish |
Sylvan | Fey creatures | Elvish |
Undercommon | Underworld traders | Elvish |