Conlanging can be overwhelming for even the most experienced conlangers—especially in the beginning stages of a new project when swirling swarms of ideas create a flurry of possibilities. I break the process down into daily prompts for a yearlong experience. One year, one conlang. Join me in making this a Conlang Year!
Goal: Identify glyph sources | Identify translation needs Note: Divide the work you need to do in five stages for the upcoming days. Tip: Today is an organizational set-up day for a series of creative work days. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure If you are creating a writing system, start a list of ideas for glyph sources.…
Goal: Make a plan for your writing system | Set up for translation Note: Make sure the type of writing system works well with your conlang’s sound system. Tip: If you’re working on translation, set the text up in a way that’s helpful to you. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure The goals over the next few weeks…
Goal: Write an original text appropriate for your speakers and their world Note: You will be translating this text into your language. Tip: If you are developing a writing system, keep this text shorter. Work focus: Learn/Brainstorm/Try Most of the prompts this month target two major tasks: a writing system (if you are developing one)…
Goal: List any features that shift for modality or communication situation Note: Modality refers to the method of transmission while communication situation reflects purpose. Tip: Use this as a guide for yourself as you begin creating longer pieces. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure Spend time today making a list, table, or other guide that highlights the features…
Goal: Consider if you want to create storytelling-specific features Note: Genre-specific features can include grammar, word choice, and text structure. Tip: These features can reflect how your speakers share stories. Work focus: Learn/Brainstorm/Try Consider if you want to create features in your language that are specific to storytelling, such as a narrative tense that only…
Goal: Brainstorm ways your speakers will share texts Note: Consider if a writing system is appropriate for your speakers. Tip: Explore different writing systems, including existing ones you might adapt to your conlang. Work focus: Learn/Brainstorm/Try Think about your speakers and their world and how they would share information. Will they have written texts? If…
Goal: Write up a formal section on the translation Note: Highlight grammatical features and words that stand out. Tip: Make this fun for you—focus on what you like most about your translation! Work focus: Solidify/Write/Share Include the translation you did in your language’s grammar document to showcase your conlang’s grammatical features in action. Write up…
Goal: Review and clean up the translation Note: Check to make sure the full text feels cohesive in your conlang. Tip: It can help to work backwards from your language back into English. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure Now that you are finished with the translation, spend time today reviewing it and cleaning up any areas as…
Goal: Translate the final section of the text Note: Double-check nouns and verbs, especially, making sure they are inflected as needed. Tip: A quick spot-check on the previous sections can get you ready for today’s work. Work focus: Learn/Brainstorm/Try Translate the final section of the text. It can help to do a quick spot-check on…
Goal: Translate the third section of the text Note: Be mindful of any grammatical features you need to incorporate. Tip: Keep up the good work and get ready for the final push! Work focus: Learn/Brainstorm/Try Keep going with your translation, tackling the third section of the text. Be mindful of grammatical features that need to…
