I have a question regarding language. I'm new to Pathfinder, though not RPGs in general and have been reading up in the core book and some supplements to run a game. I'm currently reading an AP where it talks about things being written in Minkai....but that's not a language according to anything I can find. Are they substituting that for Tien? Below is a list of languages I snagged from another thread (apologies and thank yous to the original poster). Is this still a complete (for the most part) list....or has there been updates?
Common(Taldane) from Taldor
Hallit from the realm of the Mammoth Lords
Kellish from the Great Padisha Empire
Osiriani from Osirion
Polyglot from the Mwangi area
Shadowtoung from Nidal
Shoanti from the Shoanti barbarians
Skald from the Land of the Linnorm Kings
Tien spoken by the Tian people
Varisian spoken by the Varisians
Vudrani spoken by the Vudrans
Chelaxian from Chelliax <--essentially the same as Common, just named differet...like American English vs England English.
REGIONAL DIALECTS OF HUMAN LANGUAGES
Many areas have their own distinctive dialects. Some of the most recognizable are described below.
* Korvosan (Common): The slight blend of Varisian, Shoanti, and Common, along with isolation from imperial Cheliax, caused Korvosa to develop a unique slang.
*Korvosa also uses Chelaxian amongst the Upper Class and Nobles as they want to be part of Cheliax again.
* Riddleport Slang (Common): The heavy influence of Varisian, Skald, and Shoanti have warped the language of Taldane into one with double meanings, more than twenty words for "prostitute," and made Riddleportians careful of their accent if working a con or acting as spies.
* Lupine Common (Common): The language of the nigh-extinct wolfmen of the extreme north, Lupin has influenced Common where the barking, howling people can be found. This mix, almost exclusively used by the lupins, uses many Common words, but has such a growling, guttural quality that a stuffy Taldan would find it unrecognizable.[citation needed]
* Dark Azlanti (Azlanti): The bastardized language of Azlanti in the Darklands is used by servants of the aboleths and refugees from Ancient Azlant.
NON HUMAN
Draconian
Aboleth
Giant
Boggard
Druidic
Dwarven
Elven
Goblin(Bugbear, Hobgoblin)
Gnoll
Halfling
Orc
Strix
Sylvan
DARKLANDS
Aklo (aboleth, serpentfolk, derro etc.)
Canto (banging on cave walls)
Dark Folk (Dark Creepers and Stalkers)
Drow Sign Language
Gug (Grotesque Giants)
Necril (Ghouls)
Orvian (Vault Keepers)
Sakvroth (sign language of the underdark)
Undercommon
DEAD LANGUAGES
Ancient Osiriani
Azlanti(Ancient Azlanti)
Jistka
Tekritanin
Thassilonian
LANGUAGES OF THE GREAT BEYOND
Abyssal (Demons of the Abyss)
Aguan (Water Elementals)
Auran (Air Elementals)
Celestial (Angellic Hosts)
Ignan (Fire Elementals)
Infernal (Devils of the Hells)
Terran (Earth Elementals)
Minkan is the language of the Min people spoken in the Minkai Empire (and the language of the rulers of Shokuro) in the continent of Tian Xia. That is the 'Japanese-y' language/culture in the setting. There's a bunch of other languages spoken in Tian Xia and elsewhere that aren't on your list.
There isn't really any Tian ethnicity, that's like saying 'Avestani'. References to a Tian ethnicity are more an anachronism from before Tian-Xia was detailed enough for it's component regions and ethnicities to be distinctly described (or in-world ignorance for regions of Golarion unfamiliar with Tian-Xia) . The Tien language passes for 'Common' in Tian Xia, and it is the native language of the Shu people who inhabit many countries there.
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Tien is the language of the Tian-Shu group, whose empire of Lung Wa until recently united most of Tian Xia, thus it's become a common language. Other major languages spoken by humans of Tian Xia include Dtang, Hwan, Hon-La, Minkaian and Minatan, not including the languages of non-Tian rulers over significant human populations, for which add Taldane, Draconic, Senzar (the kitsune tongue), Giant, Elven, Goblin, Tengu, Aklo, Celestial, Boggard, Aquan ...
In addition to the information Quandry and Starglim supplied there are many more languages than are listed in any single source or in the source that you quoted.
For example, the Catfolk have their own language. Many races have their own language and then there are the various dead or obscure languages that just come into existence because some author says it does. :)
In short, don't be surprised if you run into a language you have never heard of. :)
- Gauss
Thank you. I'm simply going to be starting a campaign, and I want to make sure I have the most common languages listed at hand to offer up to my group for them to be able to learn. I didn't want to leave something major out that could pop up in a generalized module or AP to completely take me by surprise.