Can Arya Stark Speak High Valyrian? A Close Look at the Ancient Language

Hey friend! Have you ever wondered about the mysterious language called High Valyrian that characters sometimes speak on Game of Thrones? And whether Arya Stark has learned any of it? As a fellow fantasy fan, I‘ve done a deep dive into the worldbuilding linguistics of Westeros and Essos. Read on for insights into Arya‘s Valyrian abilities and all the rich history of this ancient tongue!

The Origins of High Valyrian

The magical, melodic language of High Valyrian originated in the mighty Freehold of Valyria, an advanced civilization that ruled much of Essos thousands of years before the War of the Five Kings. Valyria was the center of magical knowledge and home to the mighty dragonlords.

High Valyrian was likely influenced by the languages of the peoples the Valyrians conquered and assimilated, like the Rhoynar. But it remained the predominant scholarly and noble tongue in Essos long after the Doom destroyed Valyria itself.

Many Free Cities like Volantis, Myr, and Lys continue using High Valyrian among the educated classes. It also remains a sacred liturgical language among priests and sorcerers in temples from Asshai to Volantis. The lyrical quality of High Valyrian inspired many songs and poems still treasured throughout Essos.

Arya‘s High Valyrian Education

As the daughter of the Lord of Winterfell, Arya Stark would have absolutely received tutoring in High Valyrian along with her noble siblings. Maesters like Luwin at Winterfell instruct highborn children in reading, writing, mathematics, history, and other subjects to prepare them for leadership.

We know Arya‘s sister Sansa excelled at her refined lessons, especially singing and reciting Valyrian poetry. But Arya did not share Sansa‘s passion for ladylike pursuits like music or embroidery. She preferred riding horses, exploring the castle, and learning fighting skills.

She had not loved music half so well as she did riding, swordplay, and sums. – A Game of Thrones

Still, a basic familiarity with High Valyrian would be essential for any noble son or daughter, especially those of a Great House. The Starks may be far from Valyria in the North, but they interact with diverse lords and ladies from across Westeros.

As a girl, Arya probably learned High Valyrian songs, phrases, and some reading/writing along with arithmetic and history. But her active nature likely kept her language skills basic compared to scholars like Maester Luwin or polyglots like Missandei.

Key Valyrian Expressions

Though Arya does not achieve fluency in High Valyrian, she does learn several key expressions in the language that prove meaningful for her journey:

• "Valar morghulis" – This ubiquitous saying means "all men must die" in High Valyrian. Arya first learns it from her Faceless Man mentor Jaqen H‘ghar and repeats it frequently throughout her training in Braavos. It reflects the Faceless Men‘s stoic acceptance of death‘s inevitability.

• "Valar dohaeris" – The customary response to "valar morghulis," this High Valyrian phrase means "all men must serve." Arya exchanges these sayings with characters like Jaqen H‘ghar, indicating her initiation into the Faceless Men‘s mystical philosophies.

• Dragon names – Daenerys‘ three dragons have names derived from High Valyrian words referring to key figures in her life: Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion. This highlights the link between dragons and their ancestral home of Valyria.

For Arya, knowledge of these High Valyrian expressions is practical and symbolic. They connect her to shadowy groups like the Faceless Men and remind her of death‘s presence – ideas suiting her lethal journey. But she uses them like memorized phrases, not as a fluent speaker.

Who Truly Speaks Fluent High Valyrian?

While Arya only learns a few useful High Valyrian words and sayings, other characters demonstrate true fluency:

• Daenerys Targaryen – As the last Targaryen, Dany learned High Valyrian from birth and says it is her "mother tongue." Her family preserved its heritage even in exile.

• Tyrion Lannister – Highborn children like Tyrion extensively study High Valyrian under maesters. Tyrion reads Valyrian texts and converses with Essosi leaders fluently.

• Missandei – Originally from the island of Naath, Missandei mastered High Valyrian as part of her translator‘s education in Astapor. She speaks it flawlessly as Dany‘s advisor.

• Grey Worm – The leader of the Unsullied would have learned High Valyrian as the main language of Slaver‘s Bay and the old Ghiscari Empire. It was likely essential for military commands.

• Melisandre – The Red Priestess is from Asshai, where High Valyrian remains widely used in temples and for magic rituals. She probably learned it along with her sorcerous studies.

• Thoros of Myr – A native of the Free City Myr, Thoros would have basic familiarity with High Valyrian, though likely prefers the Common Tongue for his frequent travels.

So while Arya picks up only scattered words and phrases, other characters have studied High Valyrian more extensively for scholarly, political or religious purposes. Her fragments reflect her footloose wanderings across continents.

The Mystic Link Between Dragons and Valyrian

There are a few hints that dragons may somehow respond to High Valyrian speech and commands. But does a Targaryen like Daenerys need Valyrian fluency to ride her dragons?

Probably not. Dragonriding relies on a supernatural warg-like bond beyond just language. Valyrian heritage may offer some innate connection, but verbal commands are not required for control.

The mystical link between dragons and riders is still poorly understood. Perhaps the dragons perceive Valyrian speech as reassuringly familiar, like bonded animals recognizing their master‘s tone. But fluency is unlikely to replace the magical rapport between warg and beast. The bond transcends speech, drawing from blood and destiny.

So could a non-Valyrian dragonrider like legendary Aegon the Conqueror command their mount without High Valyrian? Most likely yes. The enduring power lies within the dragon-rider relationship itself, not merely vocabulary.

Imagining Arya as a Valyrian Speaker

What might Arya Stark sound like as a fluent High Valyrian speaker? We can imagine it thus:

• Reciting Valyrian poetry as fluidly as her sister Sansa

• Chanting mystic Faceless Man rituals rather than memorized phrases

• Befriending freedmen like Missandei through shared Valyrian conversations

• Impressing Essosi strangers with her cultured accent and vocabulary

• Bewitching knights and lords by whispering in the language of lost Valyria

• Discussing magic and prophecies with Red Priestesses like Melisandre

• Disguising herself as a Lyseni noblewoman with perfect High Valyrian

• Chatting with Tyrion Lannister about dragonlore and histories

If she dedicated herself to it, Arya could surely achieve fluency in High Valyrian and wield it creatively as a tool or even a weapon. But her modest fragments ultimately suit her outsider identity traversing the edges of two continents and cultures.

Conclusion: A Taste of Ancient Power

In summary, Arya Stark‘s knowledge of High Valyrian is modest but meaningful. As a highborn daughter raised at Winterfell, she certainly received some education in the language. But her restless personality kept her Valyrian limited to a few key phrases like "valar morghulis" – enough to unlock doors on her journeys, but not true mastery.

Still, even these scattered words let Arya access the power and mystique of ancient Valyria at crucial moments. And should she ever desire it, Arya has the intellect to rapidly build her Valyrian fluency. For now, her fragments help color Arya as both a lady of Westeros and a wanderer embedding herself in Essos‘ cultures. Valar dohaeris, my friend!