The Speech
Encyclopedia
The Speech is an idealized language found throughout modern fantasy/science fiction. It is considered a central language, the root of all tongues, and in some cases the true describing words that made the universe. Unifying characteristics of this language in many books include:
A popular example of this is used in the Young Wizards
series of novels by Diane Duane
. All creatures and things understand and, to a degree, can speak the Speech intuitively, but specifically, it is the wizards who use it as their primary language and means of performing their works of magic. It is incredibly detailed and describes things which other languages cannot. Describing something inaccurately in the Speech may result in catastrophic effect (including changing the nature of the thing or being therein mis-described); therefore, wizards are advised to never curse or lie in the Speech. Spells are described in the Speech; the wizard tells the object/subject what he/she wants to happen to it. With a final word, the spell can be let loose to do what it was supposed to do.
Letters written in the Speech have been described in several of the books as Arabic-seeming in nature. In Deep Wizardry
, Nita's father mistakes the writing on the title page of Nita's Manual for Arabic letters.
Other examples include the Pellinor
series by Alison Croggon
, in which the Bards of the land, magic users and Light bringers, use the Speech, and Christopher Paolini
's Eragon
, Eldest and Brisingr, in which a dead language called the Ancient Language is used for spellcasting and by elves.
- Using it as a language root to understand all other languages, including animals
- Used as a medium for magic
- Used as a mode of communication for a high class of people
- Is difficult, if impossible, to lie in.
A popular example of this is used in the Young Wizards
Young Wizards
Young Wizards is a series of novels by Diane Duane.The Young Wizards series presently consists of nine books, with a tenth in progress, focusing on the adventures of two young wizards named Nita and Kit. Each novel pits Nita and Kit against the "Lone Power", an entity ultimately bent on the...
series of novels by Diane Duane
Diane Duane
Diane Duane is an American science fiction and fantasy author. Her works include the Young Wizards young adult fantasy series and the Rihannsu Star Trek novels.-Biography :...
. All creatures and things understand and, to a degree, can speak the Speech intuitively, but specifically, it is the wizards who use it as their primary language and means of performing their works of magic. It is incredibly detailed and describes things which other languages cannot. Describing something inaccurately in the Speech may result in catastrophic effect (including changing the nature of the thing or being therein mis-described); therefore, wizards are advised to never curse or lie in the Speech. Spells are described in the Speech; the wizard tells the object/subject what he/she wants to happen to it. With a final word, the spell can be let loose to do what it was supposed to do.
Letters written in the Speech have been described in several of the books as Arabic-seeming in nature. In Deep Wizardry
Deep Wizardry
Deep Wizardry is the second book in the Young Wizards series by Diane Duane. It is the sequel to So You Want to Be a Wizard.-Plot summary:...
, Nita's father mistakes the writing on the title page of Nita's Manual for Arabic letters.
Other examples include the Pellinor
Pellinor
Pellinor is a fantasy series by Australian author Alison Croggon, spanning four books, the last of which was released in June 2008 in Australia, September 2008 in the UK and March 2009 in the USA....
series by Alison Croggon
Alison Croggon
Alison Croggon is a contemporary Australian poet, playwright, fantasy novelist, and librettist.-Life:Born in the Transvaal, South Africa, Alison Croggon's family moved to England before settling in Australia, first in Ballarat then Melbourne. She has worked as a journalist for the Sydney Morning...
, in which the Bards of the land, magic users and Light bringers, use the Speech, and Christopher Paolini
Christopher Paolini
Christopher Paolini is an American author. He is best known as the author of the Inheritance Cycle, which consists of the books Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, and Inheritance...
's Eragon
Eragon
Eragon is the first book in the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, who began writing at the age of 15. After writing the first draft for a year, he spent a second year rewriting it and fleshing out the story and characters. Paolini's parents saw the final manuscript and decided to...
, Eldest and Brisingr, in which a dead language called the Ancient Language is used for spellcasting and by elves.