An image with multiple ways of saying "hello" and "welcome" in a variety of conlangs

Decorative image of a mouse walking on a path, playing a stringed instrument
Conlang Year, Day 193 prompt

Goal: Create strategies for answering y/n questions

Note: Create ways to say “yes,” “no,” and “maybe” (feel free to create more!).

Tip: These may be reduced forms based on a phrase like “it is true” or “so it goes” in your language.

Work focus: Create/Make/List


Now that you have y/n question forms, today’s goal is to create strategies for answering them. The most common answers you might need are “yes,” “no,” and “maybe” or some way of saying “I don’t know” or “I’m not sure.”

Although “yes” and “no” are small forms in many languages, they can be complex in their histories. For instance, “yes” may be a reduced form based on a phrase meaning “it is true” or “so it goes.” These words are an opportunity to consider cultural associations for your speakers, thinking about ways they verify or deny information on a regular basis.