Literacy and class levels.

[the Jester]

I like the idea, except that I would argue that Common should not have a written language unless "Common" is being used to describe a cultural language that has become exceedingly widespread. I prefer to use it as a kind of trade/pidgin/mercenary language. Maybe it could be written, but its practicioners haven't entirely agreed on its spelling rules or even which alphabet it should use.

Yeah, actually, 'common' imc depends on where you are.

Most places, it's Forinthian.

In the Free Trade Alliance, it's Peshan and/or Forinthian. Most people- and virtually all educated or wealthy people- speak both.

On Tirchond it's elven or dwarven, depending on where you are. Again, most people speak both.