Draconic: The Ancient Dragon Language

During your travels through the Realm of Dragons, you probably came across an ancient language being spoken by men and dragons alike. While not much is known about the language's origin, this will be a helpful introduction into Draconic as it is spoken today.

Draconic is the ancient language of dragons, spoken by them for as long as history can remember. To the unsuspecting human ear, it doesn't sound like speech at all, but merely a series of growls, snaps, and hisses. However, to those who have studied this tongue, it is a simple yet effective language that is the key to the bond between humans and Lesser dragons. Lesser dragons naturally understand Draconic, though they have to be taught the language, either by their mother or by dragon handlers who raise them in captivity.

For example, Emond Teck, owner of the Teck dragon training facility in Eskana, teaches his dragons basic commands in Draconic before they are two years old. Since Snowy left his castle when she was only about a year old, she did not learn very much Draconic. However, she knew enough to tell Elliot when she was hungry, and to name basic things like clouds, and to ask for help if she or Elliot was in danger. For the rest of her training, it is up to Elliot to learn Draconic commands and teach them to her. Elliot teaches her the command "wait" in chapter 12, and Snowy learns to refer to Elliot as "R'ar". It might sound like a basic roar at first, but it is actually the Draconic way of saying "my boy".

There is still much to learn about Draconic, and still much that we do not know. Can you speak any Draconic? Here is a guide to pronunciation so if you ever meet a wild dragon, you can communicate.

How to pronounce Draconic words:

"n" is held

"r" is growled

"a" by itself is "ah"

"o" by itself is "oh"

"ss" is hissed

"ai" is like the letter "I" (i.e. kai and stai)

"i" is sometimes said "ee" (i.e. lir)

"i" is sometimes said "ih" (i.e. iz and il)

"i" is sometimes said "eye" (i.e. osi)

When two words are joined together like this "esn'or" they are said together, almost like one word.

When three words are like this "ka esn'or" there is a short pause between the first word and the next two words.

When three words are like this "a'stai esn" there is a short pause between the first two words and the third word.

When four words are like this "ka'ssa chayf'dracon" there is a short pause between the two word groups.

When writing more than four words in a sentence, the last group should usually not be a single word. So in a sentence of five words, the word that is by itself should usually be in the middle like this "cree'ka ssa ka'esn" instead of like this "cree ka'sa ka'esn" although they mean exactly the same thing.

More than two words are never joined, so this long sentence must be written like this "O'sse kor kra'r, r'sse iz'ra kas'o"

It is pronounced: "Oh-sssee kor kra-ahr * Rr-sssee izz-rah kahs-oh", with a long pause at the *. The "ss" and "r" sounds are always emphasized more than other sounds because they are the hiss and the growl.

Here are a few easy things to say in Draconic! Use the pronunciation guide above and practice talking like a dragon:

Sath! = fire!

Ero'ros = let's go

Ero'nyss = let's fly

A' aflan = it is beautiful

O'a r'ell sar = you are my good girl

These are a little bit harder to say:

Cree'ka ssa ka'esn = take the egg to the forest

A'stai cobr'dracon = it is a small desert dragon

Ka'ar cuore ka'dracon = the boy loves the dragon

R'or a'il ka'hos trak = My home is on the round hill

Can you come up with your own Draconic sentences? Comment below your favorite thing to say in Draconic!