Starting languages
Your character begins play knowing at least three languages:
- Common,
- a language provided by the character’s Background,
- and a language that you choose from the Standard Languages table below. Knowledge of a language means your character can communicate in that language and can read and write it.
The Standard Languages table lists languages that are widespread on D&D worlds in the Material Plane, and the Rare Languages table lists languages that are more rarely known on those worlds. In each table, typical users of a language are mentioned.
Standard languages
| Language | Typical Users |
|---|---|
| Common | Anyone |
| Common Sign Language | Anyone |
| Dwarvish | Dwarves |
| Elvish | Elves |
| Giant | Giants |
| Gnomish | Gnomes |
| Goblin | Goblinoids |
| Halfling | Halfling |
| Orc | Orc |
Rare languages
| Language | Typical Users |
|---|---|
| Abyssal | Demons |
| Celestial | Celestials |
| Deep Speech | Aberrations |
| Draconic | Dragons |
| Druidic | Druids |
| Infernal | Devils |
| Primordial | Elementals |
| Sylvan | Fey |
| Thieves’ Cant | Rogues |
| Undercommon | Underdark folk |