PF2 Languages

[BretI]

I am trying to figure out what languages we are allowed to pick from for Society characters.

I have a Goblin that I’m just now leveling to 2nd.

Goblin ancestry in the CRB says::
Languages Common Goblin Additional languages equal to your Intelligence modifier (if it's positive). Choose from Draconic, Dwarven, Gnoll, Gnomish, Halfling, Orcish, and any other languages to which you have access (such as the languages prevalent in your region).

The guide says:
Bonus Languages

A character with a high Intelligence score can select bonus languages from the list of modern human languages above or the bonus languages listed in the source for the character’s ancestry.

So with an Int of 18, you would have Common, Goblin, and 4 others. My reading of the language in the guide allows anyone to pick languages like Shoanti.

Can my character know Undercommon? It is listed in Table 2-1 as a Common Language.

Does “...any other language to which you have access...” allow you to pick off that table? I suspect not, because if you could there would be no reason to list Draconic or any of the other languages that appear both in the Ancestry Languages entry and Table 2-1.

Is the only way to get Undercommon for the core races via Multilingual feat?

How about Ignan? It is an Uncommon Language listed in Table 2-2.

Can it be picked up via bonus language, or does it require Multilingual feat?

[Nefreet]

Bret Indrelee wrote:

Does “...any other language to which you have access...” allow you to pick off that table? I suspect not, because if you could there would be no reason to list Draconic or any of the other languages that appear both in the Ancestry Languages entry and Table 2-1.

Huh. You might be right, because the Human languages section states "Choose from the list of common languages and any other languages to which you have access (such as the languages prevalent in your region)."

Never really thought about it before.

[Gary Bush]

I think you are ok.

[Blake's Tiger]

My understanding is that you have access to the languages based on your ancestry plus the human regional languages (also known as "modern human languages"). Being a Common language is not sufficient.

So your goblin can learn Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Gnoll, Gnomish, Halfling, Orcish, or any other human regional language (e.g. Shoanti).

Compare to the Human Ancestry language options:

Human wrote:

Choose from the list of common languages and any other languages to which you have access (such as the languages prevalent in your region).

The guide allows you to know regional human languages:

Guide wrote:

A character with a high Intelligence score can select bonus languages from the list of modern human languages above or the bonus languages listed in the source for the character’s ancestry.

These are the languages "above."

Common (Taldan)
Erutaki (Erutaki)
Hallit (Kellid)
Kelish (Kelishite)
Osiriani (Garundi)
Polyglot (Mwangi)
Shoanti (Shoanti)
Skald (Ulfen)
Tien (Tian)
Varisian (Varisian)
Varki (Varki)
Vudrani (Vudrani)

The guide didn't say, "You have the same language choices as the Human ancestry."

So, no, Undercommon is not available to your Goblin without a feat or class ability granting access to it nor any Uncommon languages. This is distinctly different than PFS1.

[BretI]

If even the bonus languages are to be this restrictive, the scenarios really need to assume that many groups will not be able to speak some of the languages.

Scenario that assumes a language:

1-02 Mosquito Witch assumes the characters will interact with a creature that only knows a language that only appears on the Dwarven list as a bonus language. All other core ancestries would require Multilingual feat.

Further details.

Spoiler:

Mitflits only speak Undercommon. Undercommon is a trade tongue.

If you can’t speak with them, a lot of plot exposition can not be done.

[EvilMinion]

Blake's Tiger wrote:

This is distinctly different than PFS1.

Is it?

Its my understanding that PF1 works the exact same way.
You get the automatic language(s), and thebn can pick from your bonus racial language, or any of the regional languages, if your int is high enough to allow more.

[Ferious Thune]

Yes, but in PF1 learning a language only requires putting a skill rank in Linguistics, which is a minor investment. Doing that you can take anything that’s not a secret language (like Druidic). In PF2, it’s much harder to learn a new language if it isn’t on your bonus language list.

[Ascalaphus]

I think there are some inconsistencies in that whole section of the Guide that should be reviewed:

Guide wrote:

Human: Humans can speak Common, as well as any other modern human language associated with their ethnicity. Humans gain one additional common language or regional language of their choice. The cultural languages listed below (along with their associated ethnicities) are good choices.

* Common (Taldan)
* ...

Humans already speak common, so how is it a "good choice"? Also, just how many languages does a human know, apart from high Intelligence?

- Common
- A modern human language associated with their ethnicity.
- Another (third) common or regional language of their choice?
- Extra languages for high Intelligence

[Nefreet]

Jason Bulmahn confirmed in one of the podcasts that Humans get Common + Int + 1.

Essentially the same number as other ancestries.

For my 14 Int, 3/4 Chelaxian, 1/4 Varisian/Keleshite who grew up in Vidrian, I gave her Common, Varisian, Kelish and Polyglot.

[BretI]

So is Undercommon the only trade tongue that most ancestries can’t get?

Tien and Polyglot are covered by “modern human languages” given in the Guide. Taldan is Common.

[Nefreet]

Looks like Dwarves and Humans can get it. And anyone with Multilingual.

Your Society-focused Hireling can take it, too.

[BretI]

I had somehow missed that humans can get it! That expands things a little bit.