With the final season of Game of Thrones currently airing on TV, there has never been a better time to learn how to speak High Valyrian. And thanks to Duolingo, you can do just that. Which may prove useful if Daenerys Targaryen ends up on the Iron Throne.
High Valyrian is the language spoken by the nobility of Essos and Westeros. As with so much in Game of Thrones there’s a real-life equivalent, with the nobility of Europe speaking Latin in the Middle Ages. Latin may be dead, but High Valyrian is alive and well.
Learn to Speak High Valyrian Using Duolingo
Duolingo first launched its High Valyrian course in 2017. This was made possible by David J. Peterson, the linguist who invented the language for the TV show. He worked with Duolingo to create the course, which has grown more popular along with the show.
Now, to coincide with Game of Thrones Season 8, Duolingo has updated the High Valyrian course. The latest version adds new words and phrases and, for the first time, voice recordings which let you hear High Valyrian being spoken out loud.
Trying to speak like a Targaryen or command dragons like Khaleesi before Sunday? Our High Valyrian course has you covered! Now featuring new content and audio pronunciation by @Dedalvs. ?https://t.co/PEkQou3InV pic.twitter.com/u7XApEsqal
— Duolingo (@duolingo) April 11, 2019
Peterson himself recorded the audio, which means you’re hearing High Valyrian being spoken by the person who invented the language. George R.R. Martin only created a few words and phrases for the books, with Peterson creating the rest for the HBO show.
At the time of writing, 1.2 million people are learning how to speak High Valyrian. In the UK alone 100,000 people are keen to learn this fictional language. Which, according to Duolingo, means more people can speak High Valyrian than can speak Gaelic.
Star Trek Fans Can Learn Klingon Instead
It may seem odd to learn a fictional language rather than a language people speak in the real world. But it’s just a way for Game of Thrones fans to up their geeky credentials. And if you’re more Star Trek than Game of Thrones, Duolingo lets you learn Klingon as well.
Read the full article: Duolingo Helps You Learn How to Speak High Valyrian
