Ioanna asked this question about New Spring (The Wheel of Time, #0):
Does the book- series have simple languange-vocabulary? I'm planning on reading it in english although it's not my native language.
Su It has fairly simple language complicated by the fact that there are constant references to Old Tongue sayings/terms and also catchphrases/terms from …moreIt has fairly simple language complicated by the fact that there are constant references to Old Tongue sayings/terms and also catchphrases/terms from every language and culture in the world, and there are quite a few, and some have their own old phrases which may be corruptions of other languages or old tongue words. Much like english has stolen and corrupted words form every other language.

The beginning reader will soon be buried under cryptic references like Daes Dae'mar, Dai Shan, Aes Sedai, gaidin, saidar, saidin, Tel’aran’rhiod, aiel, da’covale, a'dam, etc etc. And there are hundreds like this.

It's quite like how educated people of the 18th-19th century were fluent in multiple continental languages and interspersed their writing with latin, greek, french, german and italian words or quotes from classic writers in those languages.

Each term is introduced and explained in the text but a glossary is required and included in the first book. You might also need an online resource, but be careful of spoilers if your eyes wander!
https://wot.fandom.com/wiki/The_Eye_o...
https://www.tor.com/2016/12/20/the-wh... (can be used in reverse)

Think of it a little like the secret language of Potterverse/Wizarding World fans, but amped up quite a bit so it's some work to learn them. That said the terms are unique to this world and once you do learn them you'll soon be sorting your ter'angreals from your angreals from your sa'angreals as you contemplate toh using ko'di. :)

Edit: Spelling and clarification(less)
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