I’ve been thinking about this for awhile now. From what I understand, Common, in lore, is inherently known by all the races created by the Titans since it is the language of the Titans. Obviously in game Horde races can’t use it, but lore wise they’re all supposed to be naturally fluent in it.
This leads to my issue: why are there any other languages at all? Orcish, Gnome, Darnassian, etc., why would the various races of the Warcraft universe develop their own languages at all if they already know one? Additionally, if Alliance communications all take place in Common, it seems to me the Horde would have a major tactical advantage in being able to understand everything the Alliance is saying/writing, assuming the individual knows how to read.
Am I missing anything here? If all the races know Common, it just seems like a massive plot hole when it comes to language. Obviously this is a fantasy game, but it still feels off to me. I like the idea of Common being a human language, rather than some magical Titan one that everyone just knows.
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I just assume Orcish and Common are both very easy to learn.
I don’t remember if it’s RPG lore, but apparently Gnomish is a bit of a dead/dying language.
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Languages are almost purely mechanics and there’s not really much lore behind them, if any. Any cinematic, book, comic, etc. shows cross faction communication without any obstacles.
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I just imagine that in universe 98% of people can’t speak the opposing faction’s language tbh
EDIT: Also, I can’t find any source on idea of Common being a Titan-made language, just that it’s a human language, but I also don’t have any Chronicles books so I might be outdated.
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Could you expand on what you mean by there being little to no lore behind them? There definitely isn’t anything extensive, but I’ve been finding some interesting writing about them.
It looks like in the RPG it’s a universal language, unfortunately the RPG isn’t canon. In lore it looks like it actually isn’t universal. Given that Common seems to be the “official” language of the Alliance, and going off of Keelhaul’s idea Common and Orcish may be easier to learn, it’d make sense how we’re able to see cross faction communication in the cinematics and books.
Highly recommend the wowpedia page for anyone interested in reading more, I can’t seem to be able to post the link 
Did a quick scan over the wowpedia page and it just says Common is a human language.
I just imagine that cross-faction communication in lore is done using that one mage ability that teaches language.
Or, y’know. The big figures know the other language for diplomacy, while the people lower on the ladder don’t.
I typically imagine it’s kind of like in the older expacs, where you actually COULDN’T understand enemies of other races usually, just that nobody wants to see:
Scarlet Warrior says: [Common] LOTHIR NAS FAL MIR RAN!
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Yeah it looks like only in the RPG it’s universal, but it doesn’t say anything about it being a Titan language. Definitely a misunderstanding on my part, but I appreciate the input from everyone.
There’s no definite answer, just people speculating. How is the Horde able to communicate with the Nightborne if they’ve been locked away for thousands of years?
https://wow.gamepedia.com/Arcane_Linguist
That helps mages and maybe the nightborne who have that ability, but not the entirety of the Horde peoples who don’t, right?
Its canon that your average Draenei is fluent in Furbolg, bottom line
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Yeah. That’s mostly why I think the Nightborne would have it. They’re all really in tune with arcane stuff.
The titan thing makes sense, honestly.
I’d almost rather we didn’t have differing languages at all. It’s not something Blizz puts any effort into, and as Gwyneth says, we NEVER see it being an obstacle in game. Even in Warcraft 3 it’s not an issue. The night Elves totally understand what the humans and orcs are saying, despite having no contact with either for over ten thousand years… Even beforehand they only met one of each. And I’m not gonna lie, I low-key ignore Rhonin and Broxigar’s role in the War of the Ancients unless I’m forced to acknowledge it. It felt silly to me.
Aside from the odd unimportant npc here and there in the oldest versions of the game, we understand everyone. I’d rather language barriers were entirely removed.
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Yeah but language is cool and fun, so checkmate
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It also just doesn’t make sense that after so many years we haven’t learned our allies and enemies languages for tactical reasons
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If effort is put into it, 100%. In WoW, effort has never been put into it.
That’s what we’re here for, isn’t it?
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It’s good to be the chosen one of the bear people.
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I love the idea of language, it adds a unique flavor to the game, but I do wish Blizzard did more with it. Maybe an ability in-game to learn different languages kind of like a profession. As you develop it, you’re able to see what NPCs and players on the enemy faction are saying and, upon mastery, you can speak it yourself. The big issue I’d forsee with this though is behind the scenes trying to code everything NPCs say into a specific language.
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