Tongues

  • Level & School
    3rd-level divination
  • Casting Time
    Action
  • Range
    Touch
  • Components
    V, M (a miniature ziggurat)
  • Duration
    1 hour
  • Classes
    Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

This spell grants the creature you touch the ability to understand any spoken or signed language that it hears or sees. Moreover, when the target communicates by speaking or signing, any creature that knows at least one language can understand it if that creature can hear the speech or see the signing.

Tongues 5e 2024 vs. 2014 edition differences

The 2024 version adds understanding of signed languages and clarifies that creatures can understand speech or signing if they can hear or see it, respectively. The 2014 version only mentions spoken language understanding, with no mention of signing.