All Questions
Tagged with conlangs or constructed-language
34 questions
2
votes
2
answers
166
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Handling language barriers
I am trying to write the story for an RPG I will make in the future. The world itself is huge with multiple continents and landmasses, but the current story takes place on the main four continents. ...
- 515
1
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2
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95
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How to depict alien thoughts when color/pattern is primary language?
Searched through questions, googled around, and couldn't find anything helpful so here I am.
I am trying to find an interesting way to write out the thought patterns of an alien species that's primary ...
- 111
4
votes
1
answer
215
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Is using Swahili inspired vocabulary and words similar to Japanese slang in my custom language cultural appropriation?
For context the species using my language are non-human with mostly human characteristics. This extraterrestrial race is called the Ilya and they differ from humans in the way that they evolved to be ...
1
vote
1
answer
104
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How do you insure that the new words you create for an alien language are etymologically consistent?
How do you insure that the new words you create for an alien language are etymologically consistent? French, German and English, or whatever language on earth, are etymologically consistent. Meaning ...
user36239
5
votes
1
answer
414
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How do I write a character learning a foreign language?
A story I am writing has the main character teleported to a fictional world where no one knows their language. How do I write having them learn the language of said world naturally? It is a ...
- 51
2
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3
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206
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Would incorporating a constructed language into my story this way cause confusion later?
This is part of the story I'm working on:
“Imikagaw” a feminine voice called out as she put her hand on the back of the man in cape. “Usamiakusta ow ihsataw aw amas Enna “Uoyustih ag imikagaw aw nah ...
- 65
0
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0
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34
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Languages in my fantasy story [duplicate]
I'm writing a story right now, mostly because I just felt like it. At the moment I don't plan on doing anything fancy with it just keeping it to myself. I just want to make sure I won't be getting ...
5
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4
answers
2k
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How to implement a fictional language in my novel?
As a writer, I used to write short stories and poems. As a reader, fantasy is my favorite genre.
I created some what of a language for my (first ) novel. It's phoneme, pronunciation, rules and a ...
- 957
3
votes
4
answers
1k
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How can I shorten a piece of writing without losing its original essence?
I need to know how to make my writing more brief without maring its original meaning and message. I have been struggling with that for a while, and still cannot do that. It simply seems to me that you ...
- 91
13
votes
4
answers
1k
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Does it make sense to (partially) create a conlang that you don't intend to actually use in the story?
The story that I'm currently working on is in a very far future. Clearly, people will speak a different language then.
Now, I wondered if it can make sense to (partially) create a conlang for the ...
- 4,027
1
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0
answers
4k
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Is there a prefix for 'old'? [closed]
I am writing a sci-fi novel in which humanity has struggled to survive in colonies throughout the solar system after the Earth becomes uninhabitable. I am writing a passage about a main character's ...
- 728
8
votes
2
answers
849
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How can you make up a convincing dialect?
I often need to introduce one, if not several, made up dialects.
We're talking about fictional worldbuilding: so any real world dialect is ruled out. They can be used as a source of inspiration, but ...
- 15.9k
4
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3
answers
491
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Using substitution ciphers to generate new alphabets in a novel
A substitution cipher is a method used in cryptography to encrypt the meaning of a text. In the most common form, a substitution cipher changes every letter in the target text with another, making it ...
- 15.9k
10
votes
2
answers
281
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Should I include an appendix to reference words of an in-universe language for a fantasy novel?
Context
I am currently working on a fantasy novel in which one of the main characters is a nobleman and scholar, studying exotic languages as part of his higher education and translating documents ...
- 8,762
38
votes
13
answers
11k
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What are the Pros and Cons of long names?
Background:
I'm developing names for places/characters/races/etc. in my world. One example are a particular political sect. The sect are a group within a different species that are named (the species ...
- 663
4
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2
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1k
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What font should I use to write alien language?
In my story, I'm using the font WingDings to represent the language for the alien race.
Should I be using something different or am I ok with using WingDings to represent a constructed language? Any ...
4
votes
2
answers
309
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Chants in fictional languages
I plan at several parts of my book to have war chants done in the fictional language of my main race/species. Would it be better to write the chant in their language? Put the fictional language with ...
- 4,609
6
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2
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312
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Formatting multiple languages while avoiding italics for native speakers in their POV
Looking at this question, I was trying to figure out how to format a small family of novels and short stories that use a number of languages. My original approach went with the above question's style. ...
- 340
12
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6
answers
5k
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How to handle translation of a language in a comic, while preserving a sense that the language is significant?
I am producing a comic in which a fictional language is frequently spoken.
This language (and which characters are able to speak it) is significant to the plot, so it's important that the reader ...
- 1,525
10
votes
5
answers
880
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How can I keep my dialogue nuanced and informal without breaking the illusion that the story is a translation (from a fictional language)?
The story I'm writing is in English, but it's set in a constructed world with a range of different languages. The general conceit is that anything the viewpoint character (of which there's more than ...
- 1,525
3
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4
answers
7k
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Where can I find a dictionary for the Aklo fictional language?
I am attempting to locate a dictionary that will allow me to translate words into Aklo, a fictional language used by writers such as Lovecraft. Where could I find such a thing? If a dictionary doesn't ...
7
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3
answers
278
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How to Explain the Pronunciation of a Conlang Within the Text of the Novel
In novels which contain a constructed language (conlang), there are areas where the rules of pronunciation can be specified. These areas have the disadvantage of either being before the story and ...
1
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3
answers
358
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Writing in English, from the viewpoint of a non-English-speaking character, how can I convey a language very similar to the character's own?
To provide a little background, I'm writing a novel set in a fantasy world, within which there are multiple languages.
I'm applying the rule that any speech the viewpoint character (I'm using ...
- 1,525
4
votes
2
answers
207
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Transcribing a fictional pictograph based language
I'm a fresh pup to this site and I have a bit of a quagmire at my fingertips.
My novel takes place in a dystopian future approximately half a century from the modern day. Consumerism and promotional ...
- 43
6
votes
5
answers
2k
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Can I use an existing fictional language?
When creating a world where there are either aliens or fantasy races, you know that they should speak their own language.
But the truth is that for story purposes, such races will speak their language ...
- 791
4
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8
answers
1k
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Constructed Language - how to spell words that will be mispronounced in English
I wasn't sure how to phrase the title, so it may be a bit confusing. Feel free to edit it if you can phrase it better.
This question may be better suited for Worldbuilding SE. However, it is about ...
7
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5
answers
2k
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Constructed Language - spelled like it sounds?
Note: This may be more suited to Worldbuilding SE. I believe it belongs here, because it is about how to write a conlang, but if not, please feel free to move it.
I am constructing Elvish. In my ...
8
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2
answers
981
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Should I create my own ConLang for my story? [closed]
For my story I'm writing, some of the characters speak a different language from the protagonists.
Should I actually create a ConLang (constructed language) for them and use it in dialog OR should ...
- 191
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2
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1k
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What's a good custom language translator?
I'm working on a fantasy story that has a Language of Power (TVTROPES) in it and I was trying to look around online to find an automatic translator for the language I came up with but can't find any.
...
- 333
4
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4
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937
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How to convey that the POV character *does not understand* what's said in dialogue?
The general advice is often to focus on the content of what's said in dialogue and just write it in the reader's language, largely whether the characters would use that language or not in-universe. ...
- 3,744
17
votes
6
answers
2k
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How can I effectively invent a language?
I want to make a particular language that adapts to the story. And the language has to have x and y and e characteristics for example.
Is there a protocol to follow on the process of making a ...
- 547
12
votes
4
answers
960
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How can I strike a balance between setting and plot?
I'm not a fan of Tolkien's work, but it's relevant to my question, so take it as a reference point.
I love linguistics, culture, and worldbuilding, but sometimes have difficulty focusing on specific ...
- 225
13
votes
5
answers
877
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Should a conlang be translated?
Diving (OK, dove) into conlanging for a novel I'm working on. The conlang is atmospheric and allows for some subplot intrigue, but it's not absolutely essential to the story. I've got basic grammar, ...
- 667
15
votes
8
answers
2k
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What's the benefit of using invented languages in-story?
I'm working on a fictional story set in a fantastical (although coherent) universe. I'm used to seeing invented languages in works like this: Tolkien's languages for The Lord of the Rings, or Paolini'...
- 1,747