The Fascinating World of Constructed Languages
Summary
In this article, we explore the world of constructed languages or conlangs. We focus on six big conlangs, including Sindari, Na’vi, Klingon, Parseltongue, Dothraki, and High Valyrian. We discuss the unique features of each language, such as the anatomy of snakes influencing Parseltongue, and the harsh and guttural sounds of Klingon. We also mention the difficulties in translating these languages for human actors, as they often struggle with the unique sounds and word orders.
Table of Contents
- The Anatomy of Conlangs
- Klingon, High Valyrian, and Dothraki
- Conlangs in Movies and TV Shows
- Conclusion
The Anatomy of Conlangs
Constructed languages, or conlangs, are languages that are made up by people rather than being naturally occurring languages. These languages can be used in literature, film, and television to add depth and richness to fictional worlds. One example of a conlang is Parseltongue, a language from Harry Potter that is spoken by those who can communicate with snakes. The language is influenced by the anatomy of snakes, with hissing and slithering sounds being prominent.
Klingon, High Valyrian, and Dothraki
Klingon is perhaps one of the most well-known conlangs, having been created for the Star Trek franchise. The language has about 3,000 words and around 100 fluent speakers. It features unique sounds, such as the voiceless alveolar lateral fricative and retroflex consonants. There is even a Klingon translation of Hamlet and proficiency exams for the language.
In High Valyrian, a language from Game of Thrones, a rounded vowel sound is present. Different characters on the show pronounce certain sounds differently due to dialects, adding to the authenticity of the language. Dothraki, also from Game of Thrones, uses the uvular plosive and is influenced by Turkish, Russian, Swahili, and Inuktitut.
Conlangs in Movies and TV Shows
Conlangs have become increasingly popular in movies and TV shows, with Na’vi from Avatar and Sindari from Lord of the Rings being notable examples. These languages add depth and authenticity to the fictional worlds they are a part of. Linguistic evolution is also important in character development, as the evolution of a language can reflect the evolution of a character.
Dialect coaches play an important role in creating authentic-sounding languages for actors to use. However, translating these languages for human actors can be difficult, as they often struggle with the unique sounds and word orders.
Conclusion
Constructed languages or conlangs are a fascinating aspect of linguistics and popular culture. From Klingon to High Valyrian, these languages add depth and richness to fictional worlds. As the popularity of conlangs continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how they evolve and continue to shape the worlds they are a part of.
