Jotun

Giant is the ancient and enduring language spoken by the giants and their kin. It is one of the oldest mortal languages still in common use and is believed to have descended from Primordial, the root tongue of the elemental planes. While it shares distant linguistic ancestry with other elemental dialects, Giant has evolved into a distinct and fully developed language with its own structure, rules, and traditions.   The spoken form of Giant is loud, deep, and resonant. It was developed by massive beings with powerful lungs and large vocal cords. As a result, the language carries significant physical force. Words are built from heavy syllables, hard consonants, and deep vowel sounds. It is not a quiet language. Even when spoken softly, it tends to carry across long distances. The rhythm of speech is steady and deliberate, with each word clearly separated from the next. There is little room for hurried or unclear expression.   Giant grammar is clear and direct. Sentences are typically structured in a straightforward order, with subject, verb, and object arranged predictably. Modifiers follow the terms they describe, and changes in tense or number are marked by consistent prefixes and suffixes. The language avoids excessive complexity. Its strength lies in clarity and stability. Among native speakers, precision is respected, and verbosity is discouraged. A giant who speaks too much without saying anything of value is considered wasteful.   The vocabulary of Giant emphasizes physical concepts, natural forces, and hierarchy. It contains many specific words for tools, terrain, weather, and strength. Social structures are also deeply embedded in the language. There are different terms used when addressing superiors, equals, or those of lower status. These distinctions are not simply cultural habits. They are part of the grammatical system. To use the wrong form when addressing another speaker is to invite correction or offense.   Giant has a well-developed written script. The letters are large, angular, and often carved into stone or etched into metal. The writing is arranged in wide horizontal lines, with generous spacing between characters. The script is phonetic, with each symbol corresponding to a specific sound. While the alphabet is relatively simple, writing Giant requires strength and space. For this reason, most written records are inscriptions, monuments, or engraved tablets rather than books or scrolls.   The language is still in use among giants of all kinds, including hill giants, stone giants, frost giants, and others. It is also spoken by ogres, ettins, and certain other creatures descended from or influenced by giant ancestry. Some scholars, especially those who study ancient history or runes, learn Giant to access old records or to speak with beings of great size and power. Its structure lends itself well to magical inscriptions, especially those tied to physical transformation or elemental force.   Giant is not a language of subtlety. It is a language of force, structure, and permanence. It is spoken when things must be said clearly, heard loudly, and remembered long after the voice has gone silent.