If it HAS speech, (example given in the Polymorph section is a Dragon, but not limited to just that) then it CAN speak as far as I can tell. This does not mean that by RAW you get access to the language automatically. You would have to train to be able to speak Auran before you could speak as an Air Elemental, and even then, you would probably be limited to that language only and still unable to cast without Natural Spell.
As for communicating with, say, the rest of your group. Share Language is a good 1st level spell that lets them speak and understand one language you also understand. So using the previous example you could pick someone in the group to be able to speak and understand Auran. The duration is also 24 hours, which is nice. Alternatively, there is a communal version where you can divide the 24 hour duration among any number of creatures, but its a 3rd level spell... and you may be better off casting the 1st level version a few times.
I think a helm of telepathy could work also.
except that in PFS play you can't use Permanency.
So that's not an option for this (in a home game of course it would be a simple alternative to the feat)
In addition, you can only make tongues permanent on yourself... and druids do not get Permanency as a spell.
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Unless the thing has Languages, you can't speak at all.
can only cast spells with somatic or verbal components if the form you choose has the capability to make such movements or speak, such as a dragon
Safe bet is you can speak the language the form has, but it will be unspecified whether or not you can speak other languages.
Other than forms with languages, there isn't any way I know to speak. I used a wand of speak with animals that the party could use to talk to me.
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I guess the question is by RAW is a form that has speech limited to the language(s) that creature usually speaks? Or does any speech (even elemental) imply that the form can talk so you can use any languages you know?
(I'm not assuming at all that you would gain languages in a given form - beyond the ability that Wild Shape grants to talk with others of the same type - unclear how that works with plants or elemental forms)
for PFS I can probably make do without a lot of talking and/or just change back into Half-elf form as needed - but it would be nice to figure out alternatives to consider or to see if there are useful forms for me to consider as long term adventuring forms (earth elemental for the STR boost for example if it can wield a bow seems like a good form)
Short answer. It definitely has the ability to speak in whatever language (or languages) it has listed on its stat block. That is RAW.
Any other language would have to be RAI, because it is never really addressed anywhere in the rules. I would like to think, since a human can speak auran, that an Air Elemental could speak common... but it is never stated anywhere that this is the case.
How about just taking the wild speech feat?
Wild Speech
You speak with the tongue of men and beasts.
Prerequisites: Druid level 6th, wild shape class feature.
Benefit: When using wild shape to take the form in which you cannot speak (such as an animal), you are able to speak normally in any language you know. This allows you to cast spells with verbal components, speak command words, and activate spell completion and spell trigger items. However, it does not give you the ability to cast spells requiring somatic components unless you also have the Natural Spell feat, or cast spells with material components merged into your form.
When using wild shape to take the form of an animal, you may use speak with animals to communicate with animals of your assumed form. This is a spell-like ability with a caster level equal to your druid level, and you may use it for a number of minutes per day equal to your druid level. These minutes do not have to be consecutive, but must be used in one-minute increments.
I guess the question is by RAW is a form that has speech limited to the language(s) that creature usually speaks? Or does any speech (even elemental) imply that the form can talk so you can use any languages you know?
(I'm not assuming at all that you would gain languages in a given form - beyond the ability that Wild Shape grants to talk with others of the same type - unclear how that works with plants or elemental forms)
for PFS I can probably make do without a lot of talking and/or just change back into Half-elf form as needed - but it would be nice to figure out alternatives to consider or to see if there are useful forms for me to consider as long term adventuring forms (earth elemental for the STR boost for example if it can wield a bow seems like a good form)
Short answer. It definitely has the ability to speak in whatever language (or languages) it has listed on its stat block. That is RAW.
Any other language would have to be RAI, because it is never really addressed anywhere in the rules. I would like to think, since a human can speak auran, that an Air Elemental could speak common... but it is never stated anywhere that this is the case.
RAW is if a creature has a language, unless something specifically says otherwise, it can speak any languages it takes the time or has the intel to learn.
So FotD, Giants, Elem Body, by RAW, use any language you've got when in those forms. It's part of the you naturally know how to use the form that comes with the spell. [Magically knowing how to use the elementals voice is no different than magically knowing how you're using a tail as a dragon]
Animals or insects, you're speechless without a feat. [Per the note in RAW about "normal member of the animal species", so no talking parrots for example]
Parrots and Ravens are capable of talking (mimicking voice) and as familiars they get to speak the language of their master...
I'd say that qualifies for talking animal...?