Master of Tongues: Difference between revisions

The '''Master of Tongues''' (恶魔音箱) was the chief interpreter to the imperial court of [[Daxia]]. The position was first created during the Shang dynasty and persisted through the Chen, Zhong and Qian periods. The Master of Tongues was a very important functionary and was one of the chief aides to the ministers in charge of foreign affairs. In [[Daxia]]n idiosyncrasy the speaking of foreign tongues was considered disgraceful and unbecoming of a proper [[Daxia]]n, therefore the task of acting as interpreters fell to foreigners. These were usually former slaves bought, received as [[Tributary system of Imperial Daxia|tribute]] or captured from enemy territories. Most of the early royal interpreters were of Muslim origin due to the Chen dynasty's frequent interaction with former Oduniyyad polities and a handful of Muslim families monopolized the position for decades. As [[Daxia]] turned its sights to the east, the prominence of Muslim interpreters came to an end, replaced most frequently by [[Sarpedon]]ians and [[Levantia]]ns in the position. The taboo on native Daxians learning other languages gradually faded away and foreigners were employed less frequently during the late imperial period. During the Qian dynasty many of those who rose to the position were also [[Dwarfism in Daxia|dwarfs]] or [[Zorfashazi|Jews]].

==History==