Are Game of Thrones Languages Based on Real Languages?
Many viewers assume Dothraki is a real Middle Eastern or Central Asian language, and that High Valyrian is disguised Latin. Neither is true. Yet both feel familiar for a reason.
Here's what Game of Thrones languages actually borrow from real languages — and what's completely original.
Short Answer
No, Game of Thrones languages are not real languages, and they aren't direct copies of any real language. But their creator, David J. Peterson, drew inspiration from real languages for sounds and grammar features, and designed their histories to mirror how real languages evolve.
The Counterintuitive Truth: The Best Fake Languages Borrow Patterns, Not Words
A lazy fictional language copies real words. Audiences who speak that language notice immediately, and the illusion breaks.
Peterson borrowed patterns instead: types of sounds, kinds of grammar, ways languages change over time. That creates familiarity without recognition. We call this pattern borrowing: taking the architecture of real languages without their furniture.
Dothraki: What It Borrows
Sounds
Peterson has said Dothraki's sound was inspired by a mix of languages, including Arabic, Russian, Turkish, Estonian, Inuktitut, and Swahili. That explains the throaty kh and q sounds.
Grammar
- Animate vs inanimate nouns — a distinction found in many real languages, including some Algonquian languages.
- Adjectives after nouns — common in languages like Spanish, Arabic, and Swahili.
- SVO word order — like English and many others.
What's Original
The vocabulary is Peterson's own invention (plus Martin's original words). Dothraki doesn't copy Arabic or Turkish words.
Try it: Dothraki Translator
High Valyrian: What It Borrows
Role, Not Words
High Valyrian plays the role of Latin in Westeros: the classical language of a fallen empire with many descendant dialects. Like Latin, it's heavily inflected.
Grammar Features
- Many noun cases — like Latin, Finnish, or Russian.
- Noun classes beyond male/female — like Swahili and other Bantu languages.
- Paucal number ("a few") — found in some real languages, including some Austronesian languages.
What's Original
The four gender names (lunar, solar, terrestrial, aquatic) and the vocabulary are invented.
Try it: Valyrian Translator
Low Valyrian: Modeled on Latin's Descendants
Astapori and Meereenese Valyrian are like Spanish, Italian, and French — descendants of a classical language, simplified and mixed with local languages. Their influence from Ghiscari mirrors how Latin mixed with local languages across Europe.
That's historical mirroring: using real language history as a blueprint for fictional change.
Martin's Original Names: English Roots
George R.R. Martin's naming style for Westeros often borrows from real English and European history:
- Eddard echoes Edward
- Robb, Jon, Brandon — common English names, slightly altered
- The Wars of the Roses influenced Lannister/Stark rivalry (Lancaster/York)
The Common Tongue is essentially English, which makes Westeros feel like a medieval British world. Try making it sound truly medieval with the Old English Translator.
Other Languages in the World
Skroth
The White Walkers' language is sound design rather than a language based on any human language — often compared to cracking ice.
Lhazareen
Includes a lateral fricative sound (like the Welsh ll), giving it a distinctive feel.
Asshai'i
A mysterious tongue with an otherworldly, ritual feel.
Why Not Just Use Real Languages?
Some productions use real languages for fictional cultures. Game of Thrones didn't, for good reasons:
- Avoiding stereotypes. Assigning a real language to a "barbarian" culture could be offensive.
- Consistency. An invented language fits the world completely.
- Creative control. New words can be created as needed.
- Fan engagement. Invented languages become part of the franchise.
We call this cultural neutrality by design: invented languages let a story build fictional cultures without pointing at real ones.
How It Compares to Tolkien
Tolkien was more open about real-language models: Sindarin sounds like Welsh, Quenya like Finnish (with Latin and Greek influence), and Rohan's language is represented by Old English. Compare them in the Sindarin Translator and Quenya Translator.
Peterson's approach was more mixed — pulling features from many languages rather than one main model per language.
Where This Is Heading
Audiences are more globally aware than ever, and borrowing a single real language for a fictional culture risks criticism. We predict future fantasy productions will favour Peterson's "many sources, no copying" model, making pattern borrowing the industry standard for fictional languages.