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: Reassess how spelling works ~ Consider additional needs for translation Note: You may find areas where you need to reconsider how your orthography works. Tip: Consider what forms you might need for more complex translations. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure If you created an orthography, you’ve now had a chance to apply your orthography to a…
Goal: Write your text in your orthography ~ Clean up translated text Note: Focus on cleaning up your presentation to get ready for sharing your text. Tip: Be consistent with your spelling, especially on inflected forms! Work focus: Learn/Brainstorm/Try If you created an orthography, apply it to the short translation you did. (If your orthography…
Goal: Finesse your translation and prepare for next steps Note: If you have an orthography, start thinking through how you will spell the forms. Tip: Review your translation and consider whether any areas need smoothed. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure Today’s goal is to go over the translated text you worked on (whether it was a long…
Goal: Translate a section (or the whole short text!) Note: On this final day of translation, everyone is translating! Tip: If you’ve been working on orthography, return to the very short text you wrote; if needed, shorten it! Work focus: Create/Make/List If you had already been working on translation, keep up you work and get…
Goal: Evolve glyph forms ~ Translate a section Note: This is the final day for working on glyphs, so finish as many as you can. Tip: If you can’t finish them all, don’t fret. Keep good notes on your work so you’re set up to finish them later! Work focus: Create/Make/List If you are working…
Goal: Evolve glyph forms ~ Translate a section Note: As you keep working, look at the whole system to ensure it feels cohesive. Tip: Take a moment to enjoy the features you like most about your language! Work focus: Create/Make/List Keep moving forward with the work you’ve been doing for the past two days, whether…
Goal: Evolve glyph forms ~ Translate a section Note: As you move from one section to the next, make sure they are cohesive. Tip: Keep reassessing the glyphs as a system—they should feel like they belong together! Work focus: Create/Make/List For those working on orthography, keep evolving original images into glyph forms. As you work…
Goal: Evolve glyph forms ~ Translate a section Note: While your work set you up for a smoother translation process, you may still need to make adjustments. Tip: I recommend writing/drawing these glyph forms for now so you have them. Work focus: Create/Make/List If you are working on orthography, this is the first of four…
Goal: Make a plan for shifting shapes ~ Reassess translation needs Note: Today is about taking a step back before moving forward with more work days. Tip: As glyphs are used, they naturally evolve. You will just speed up that process! Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure If you are working on orthography, use today to make a…
Goal: Explore mediums and instruments ~ Dive into translation notes Note: Think about what writing tools and surfaces are available to your speakers. Tip: Consider the notes you’ve compiled for translation and brainstorm areas that need expanding. Work focus: Learn/Brainstorm/Try If you are working on a writing system, use today to explore the writing tools…
