While I am not an expert in Chinese linguistic history and my analysis may lack precision in many aspects, utilizing Chinese dialects as the language of the new civilizations could at least accentuate the distinctiveness of these civilizations and nations.
1.Khitans
Strictly speaking, the Khitans should use the Daur language, as the Daur people are a minority ethnic group in China and descendants of the Khitans. However, if the Daur language cannot be acquired, using the Mongolian language would also be acceptable, since the Daur people are categorized as Mongolic peoples and their language belongs to the Mongolic language family.
2.Jurchen
The Jurchen people should ideally be represented with Manchu-language dubbing. However, the practical challenge lies in the extreme scarcity of available Manchu speakers, as the Manchu ethnicity has undergone near-complete Sinicization. If authentic Manchu language materials cannot be acquired, I propose that the Beijing dialect could serve as an acceptable substitute for the Jurchen civilization’s language. Contemporary Beijing dialect retains a significant number of Manchu loanwords, partly due to the Qing dynasty’s establishment of Beijing as its capital and the region’s geographical proximity to Northeast China – the historical homeland of both the Jurchen and Manchu peoples. This linguistic substitution would maintain historical plausibility while addressing practical implementation challenges.
3.Wei
During the Three Kingdoms period, the Central Plains region was primarily within the territory of the Cao Wei state, including its capital Luoyang. Therefore, Central Plains Mandarin could be used as Wei’s language, with Henan dialect being its most representative modern form. Alternatively, the Heluo dialect (a linguistic precursor to modern Min Nan Chinese) could serve as Wei’s language. Historically, the Heluo dialect was the predominant language in ancient Central Plains until the Mongol conquest displaced many Han Chinese from the region. This migration led to the establishment of Fujian as a cultural enclave where Min Nan dialects preserved archaic Central Plains phonological features. Given this historical continuity, Min Nan Chinese could also be considered an appropriate linguistic representation for the Wei civilization in this context.
4.Shu
During the Three Kingdoms period, the Shu Han state’s territory was primarily located in southwestern China. Therefore, Southwestern Mandarin could serve as the linguistic representation for Shu, with modern Sichuan dialect being its most prominent variant. Alternatively, the dialect of the capital city Chengdu (Chengdu dialect) could be used to represent Shu’s official language, maintaining geographical and administrative authenticity.
5.Wu
During the Three Kingdoms period, the Eastern Wu state primarily occupied the Jiangdong region. Therefore, Jianghuai Mandarin could serve as the linguistic representation for Wu. The Yangzhou dialect and Nanjing dialect are representative variants of Jianghuai Mandarin. However, I believe using the Nanjing dialect might be more appropriate, as the capital of Wu was located in present-day Nanjing. This choice would align with the historical principle of matching a regime’s official language to its political center.
At present, dialects may remain the most practical option for a new civilization’s language, as they are generally more readily accessible. Should any players possess deeper expertise in Chinese linguistic history, I would sincerely appreciate their insights and refined suggestions to make the game more perfect.
I still have some hope that they will add voice lines before the release of the DLC. There is still plenty of time and the creator access of the DLC also has been out already for a while.
It would be really strange to have 5 civilisations with Chinese voice lines and 3 with Mongol ones.
In the worst cases they could use Manchu voice lines for AoE3 and the Chinese from AoMR.
This still seems like an better option than 5 speaking the same language.
Saying that’s the worst case it’s technically wrong, you could come up with worse things if you wanted to.
The main issue with the Manchu voice lines from AoE3 is that you’d only have male military unit voices and no villager, monk or king voices.
Mandarin wasnt a thing back then
Neither was modern Portuguese, but that’s definitely what the Portuguese civ speaks in-game. The units don’t even have a modern Portuguese accent.
(Source: I understand the language because it’s my native language)
Yeah but there are more archaic dialects which are fairly accessible, and already used in game
Using a dialect that isnt even in the game for a state who existed a thousant years before the dialect existed seems like a waste of work
All you proposed (for Wei, Shu, Wu) are dialects/variants of Modern Chinese. I don’t think that one choice better than another
Agree
What do you suggest? For Portuguese I have suggested Galician-Portuguese, for the record.