I was having a thought experiment with some players and my co-dm about the spell comprehend languages. The question of exactly what is translated came up, is it the sound or is it the word intended by the speaker? For example, if I had a lisp and said "three" like "tree" would it translate as the former or the latter. Example 2, if I started to say the word "library" in another language but get caught off at "li" would you think I said "lie" or just get nonsense since I didn't finish the intended word. I personally think it is the word intended, thus three and nonsense would be the two respective answers, but I am curious what others think.
I would rule it as the word that was said, not getting into the accent of how it was said. That would let the spell be equivalent between spoken and written language, as I would also rule that typos in written documents would not throw off the spell. If a typo in a written document is comprehensible, then slightly mis-spoken words should be comprehensible as well.
I'd go with an accurate translation of intent. Lisps and similar would translate properly; broken words or similar would not translate at all (as the whole word was not heard/read).
Why would I rule it this way?
The spell mentions that it conveys the literal meaning of a spoken or written language. Both "meaning" and "language" being imperative here, as the latter is usually defined as a complex means of communication (via sound or otherwise), which suggests the spell (the Weave? The essence of magic? The insanely complicated patterns of universal building blocks?) recognizes the difference between sound (or shape) combinations used for communication - to convey meaning - from those that do not carry that intent.
I must be the minority on this one. If you have a lisp or accent and pronounce a word incorrectly, yes, the recipient would hear the spoken word. The only time I would falter in this regard, is if the recipient was able to pull the correct word via context of use.
If a non-native speaker said to my character, "Look, tree!" I would imagine he was noticing a tree. As time goes, you would develop the ear for his lisp and be able to learn the meanings behind the blunders.
I was having a thought experiment with some players and my co-dm about the spell comprehend languages. The question of exactly what is translated came up, is it the sound or is it the word intended by the speaker? For example, if I had a lisp and said "three" like "tree" would it translate as the former or the latter. Example 2, if I started to say the word "library" in another language but get caught off at "li" would you think I said "lie" or just get nonsense since I didn't finish the intended word. I personally think it is the word intended, thus three and nonsense would be the two respective answers, but I am curious what others think.
Dungeon Master and Player
I would rule it as the word that was said, not getting into the accent of how it was said. That would let the spell be equivalent between spoken and written language, as I would also rule that typos in written documents would not throw off the spell. If a typo in a written document is comprehensible, then slightly mis-spoken words should be comprehensible as well.
I'd go with an accurate translation of intent. Lisps and similar would translate properly; broken words or similar would not translate at all (as the whole word was not heard/read).
Why would I rule it this way?
The spell mentions that it conveys the literal meaning of a spoken or written language. Both "meaning" and "language" being imperative here, as the latter is usually defined as a complex means of communication (via sound or otherwise), which suggests the spell (the Weave? The essence of magic? The insanely complicated patterns of universal building blocks?) recognizes the difference between sound (or shape) combinations used for communication - to convey meaning - from those that do not carry that intent.
Well, in the sound case, I don't want to imagine all the mess around the word "sheet".
I must be the minority on this one. If you have a lisp or accent and pronounce a word incorrectly, yes, the recipient would hear the spoken word. The only time I would falter in this regard, is if the recipient was able to pull the correct word via context of use.
If a non-native speaker said to my character, "Look, tree!" I would imagine he was noticing a tree. As time goes, you would develop the ear for his lisp and be able to learn the meanings behind the blunders.
[ Site Rules & Guidelines ] --- [ Homebrew Rules & Guidelines ]
Send me a message with any questions or concerns