I’ve a peculiar query … I mean moreso than usual I suppose.
In Cormyr: A Novel our old boy B’s Netherese accent is described as chime-like; also across much Realms material the languages and accents of Elves are described using similar terminology/1 Of “musical” and adjectives involving bells and the like.
I’m curious if you might elaborate? Especially if there’s any real world languages that might be useful references to the sorts of tones, phonemes, cadences that these languages use?
I confess a certain fascination/2— 🌈Jaye🦄Em🌹Edgecliff🏳️🌈 (@jayeedgecliff) March 12, 2020
1)
Sure. Elvish languages have lots of fluid, soft (“S” without a hiss, unless angry) sounds, go up and down in register far more than most human speakers do, ranging over an octave and a half; most humans stay within about six… 3)
…real-world speakers because I can readily add “when speaking English”).
In addition, elven vocal cords can manage two notes at once (the closest most humans can come is to whistle and drone at the same time), which is why I 2)
…notes, so: the difference between a singer like Enya and an old man singing the Hollywood tune “September Song.” Real-world Puerto Rican speakers have a lot of the darting, swift glissandos elves do (I chose them out of all…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 12, 2020
4)
…speak of chiming like bells (I really mean a two-tone chord, but with a clear tone, and that’s most often heard in our real world when church bells are rung).
Many gamers (not me) reach for a Scottish accent when trying to…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 12, 2020
5)
…portray dwarves. To me, dwarves may have the burr that some Scots speakers do, but the key characteristic is that they are flat, emphatic speakers: they come down firmly on one note for a syllable 6)
Gnomes are like softer, quieter dwarves, often described as humming or murmuring when heard in the background or at a distance, whereas halflings are high-pitched but soft-spoken, and talk quickly (think a softer version of…#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 12, 2020
7)
…anyone talking their way through the vocal of a patter song, like Gilbert & Sullivan’s “When You're Lying Awake With A Dismal Headache {The Nightmare Song}” from Iolanthe).#Realmslore— Ed Greenwood (@TheEdVerse) March 12, 2020
