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Questions tagged [constructed-language]

This tag should be used for questions about invented languages, such as legal questions about using Tolkien's Elvish languages or inventing your own constructed language to use in your own literary works. You might want to check out our sister site ConLang.SE for more details.

This tag should be used for questions about invented languages, such as legal questions about using Tolkien's Elvish languages or inventing your own constructed language to use in your own literary works.

This tag could also be used on questions about the basics of how to create a constructed language, when to create an entire language, or when to create just a few phrases/words.

You might want to check out our sister site ConLang.SE for more details.

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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 in general) "Sun's children" (lit. translation.)…
FoxElemental
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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 language for the sake of a story? (I don't talk about…
Jose Luis
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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's languages for his Inheritance Trilogy. So, they…
iajrz
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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 story even though I don't plan to write anything in…
celtschk
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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, punctuation, and syntax. My question is about…
patrick
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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 characters and events to build an engaging plot.…
Jon Purdy
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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 knows when it (rather than English) is being…
TheTermiteSociety
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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 for the city library in his spare time. The fact…
Sciborg
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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 one, with more than one language) understands is…
TheTermiteSociety
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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 they can't be straight up applied. Creating a…
Liquid
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Should I create my own ConLang for my story?

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 mention that they speak a different language and…
WeekzGod
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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 rapidly boring the reader (preface/prologue), or…
Thomas Reinstate Monica Myron
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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 Elvish, there is no letter 'K'. Instead, the elves…
Thomas Reinstate Monica Myron
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ConLang for a pet that talks through buttons...?

Talking Pets...? I am fascinated (while skeptical) of the 'talking pet' audio-button trend. For reference, this video shows a woman talking to her cat about a storm. The video has been edited to show the cat pressing specific buttons on a floor mat,…
wetcircuit
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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. However, over the last few years, I've been to a…
dmoonfire
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