One of the most wonderful languages to be associated with the great civilization of the ancient world of Valyria is High Valyrian, whose melodic tones have certainly caught many a fantasy fantasy fan. Due to its associations with ancient families, ancient kingdoms, and, of course, dragonlords, it’s certainly a language some would like to learn more about. But the journey can start somewhere simple – the basic vocabulary of the language, the recognizable characters, and its overall pronunciations.
Here’s some quick tips if you too, would love to familiarize yourself with the tongue of the great Valyrian empire.
What is High Valyrian?
High Valyrian is actually the main language that has been said to have originated from ancient Valyrian culture. The language is also now naturally integrated within the culture and heritage of the Valyrian people.
1. Learn the vocabulary
To get started with learning a new language, learn a compilation of basic phrases/words of importance.
Learn the nouns of the people, locations, environment, elements such as fire and dragons, or familial associations. When these begin to set, deeper connections with these words and even longer vocab can be discovered and learned.
2. Practice the sounds
Learning pronunciations may seem a little bit off, and while difficult, these can prove crucial when listening to and understanding of language. Be careful when attempting to read aloud for the first time, go slowly and practice sound as you speak, then read.
Learn from names
A fun way to be introduced to the language without all the pressure is through names. The names given to individuals often incorporate characteristics of the fantasy culture, and many names from High Valyrian will help to introduced and acclimatized you with the unique way of structuring words and the characteristic sounds involved.
Build Your Vocabulary Slowly
You won’t need to sit yourself down with the dictionary anytime soon, you’re able to build your vocabulary through consistent use and exploration of new words. Small group of words, with enough time and consistent reading and pronunciations, would be able to make the language less intimidating and more recognizable.
Keep Exploring
When the journey into learning this fantasy based language may seem too vast for you, the first rule is to remember that you should be enjoying yourself. It’s not just words and phrases you’ll be learning, but you’ll learn how those words and phrases contribute to the culture of Valyria!
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