All DnD 5e languages, listed

Language is a powerful thing, and having a character who knows how to speak and read multiple can be an asset in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. If you happen to have a D&D Player’s Handbook, the basic languages that are standard to the rules can be found, but I’ll go over them here.

Here’s the important thing, though: Like most things in your campaign, language is entirely up to your Dungeon Master. Even if your character speaks a certain language, if the DM wishes it, they can have a group of people speak in an uninterpretable dialect. They can have characters speak in an arcane language completely unknown to the waking world. Inversely, they can have a group that would normally speak in an uncommon language simply speak in Common tongue to ensure your party understands them. Language can come up a lot in a campaign, or never at all.

With that in mind, the importance of language varies from campaign to campaign and Dungeon Master to Dungeon Master. Whether or not you’ll be able to predict what you’ll encounter will come down to your unique situation.

Nevertheless, I can tell you what the official languages in DnD 5e are. Anything else that can be found in source books or made up by the Dungeon Master will depend on your group.

Standard Languages

These are the languages that you’re most likely to encounter on your quest in DnD 5e. Your character will usually start off knowing the one typical of their race, and may have an additional already available. These are taken straight from the Player’s Handbook.

Exotic Languages

These exotic languages you’re less likely to encounter in DnD 5e. Typically, you might want your character to know one of these for roleplay if it’s related to their background. Otherwise, if the campaign is involving a theme based around one of these speakers, they may want to pick these up. Again, these are listed as they are in the Player’s Handbook.