conlangs

(constructed languages)

A koi fish with five ripples on it and a sixth in front of it.

guiding questions

  • what are conlangs?
  • why make conlangs?

natural languages

constructed languages

a brief history

  • 1100s: Lingua Ignota
  • 1879: Volapük
  • 1887: Esperanto
  • 1910: Tolkien’s langs
  • 1980s: Klingon
  • today: your language??

why make conlangs?

  • to unite the world
  • for a movie, tv show, or book
  • as artistic expression
  • to test language
  • because why not

esperanto: to unite the world

  • 1887
  • L. L. Zamenhof
  • most-spoken conlang
A green flag with a white square in its top-left corner and a green star within that.
A green flag with a white square in its top-left corner and a green star within that.

dothraki: for the media

  • 2009
  • David J. Peterson
  • known due to Game of Thrones
The cover of “Living Language: Dothraki” by David J. Peterson.
The cover of “Living Language: Dothraki” by David J. Peterson.

tshevu: as artistic expression

  • 2020
  • koallary
  • known for its writing system
A work of Koiwrit created in the language Tshevu.
A work of Koiwrit created in the language Tshevu.

ithkuil: to test language

  • 2004, 2007, 2011, 2023
  • John Quijada
  • notable for grammatical capability
The Ithkuil words “očvalá tali šio malëuţřaitie ogvbřalörxeu” written using Ithkuil calligraphic script.
The Ithkuil words “očvalá tali šio malëuţřaitie ogvbřalörxeu” written using Ithkuil calligraphic script.
A highly packed table containing the entirety of Ithkuil's grammar and conjugations on it. No definitions are given for any of the abbreviations used.A highly packed table containing the entirety of Ithkuil's grammar and conjugations on it. No definitions are given for any of the abbreviations used.
A highly packed table containing almost the entirety of Ithkuil's script on it. Every element is given with pointers written to explain when it is used, and only the numeric characters are missing.A highly packed table containing almost the entirety of Ithkuil's script on it. Every element is given with pointers written to explain when it is used, and only the numeric characters are missing.

pin suo sie lep lan: because why not

  • 2024
  • sakawi
  • not particularly notable
mai lep pak eis ein fet den der nin tik asa han sei res aet nin per ues eis bon kon mai rai pak eis ein fet den der uai han len ari nou kau kas sei mai kon sti pas nou ser den sei bon aet uon uer sie sli aet tui bed ibe sie dan ein lab bat isi ibe aso sie uak uer han ser ein epi pak ibe sie pat sem ein ade kas lab kas aso nou kur aso aso han ein mai uon spi sat mai tri uer bra has tuo kai bao fru uer sei nin api kot sei nin pit nin sae rie bat sei nou lai sat kas tru eis mai kao uer mai nok aet iet ade aet nai sou mai uon nin ame sti

toki pona

  • 2001
  • Sonja Lang
  • best language /unbiased //s
An array of colorful sitelen pona symbols.

your conlangs

The opening page of the Uscript self-defining sheet.

conlangs

(constructed languages)

A koi fish with five ripples on it and a sixth in front of it.

No slide available.

guiding questions

  • what are conlangs?
  • why make conlangs?

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