High Vinthish is for all intents and purposes, a dead language. It was widespread before the time of The Great Purge to facilitate communication among all nations; known now as the "Language of Kings" since nobility and the intellectual elite are the only ones who learn it. After the extinction of the Inar, special care by the remaining races was always taken to keep it pristine, meaning it was never allowed to evolve naturally as all languages tend to do.
It is not completely dead, as the inhabitants of Overvale (secluded from the rest of the world) still use it. Because of this, Dreya is able to communicate with a limited number of people when she leaves Overvale (Dawn of the Last Bullet).
Spread
The Veninar elves were known by the other races as the Vinthish elves. A seafaring people, and being the most traveled of all the elves, enjoyed the best relations with the other races. This is the reason High Vinthish became the speech of kings, as it was thought to be the most expressive and proper.
Notable Phrases and Mottos in High Vinthish
- Belitesh - "guide". Motto of Linsingram College
- Jrensi ia grelnor - "Rise from ignorance". Motto of Amberdal University
- Tilethe i veote - "Defy the lie". Popular phrase used by dissenters.
- Lo danenlast ineo bulett - "I am bringer of life". Last is "bring."
Notable Words in High Vinthish
- litus - raven; see Litus (jeksey)
- osten - wet; see Ostenton
Other Uses
- ena, din, sin, ora, ko, nera, yel, tal, udo, gal - numbers 1 through 10
- Tal Calar - sacred eight
- el - elder; luith - moon; maeth - sun; ren - wood; tor - mountain; ven - sea; these are all from the six nations of the Inar