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: Plan a strategy for passive participial modifiers Note: Nonfinite passive forms can modify a noun (e.g. “The hat worn by the mouse is green.”) Tip: These may follow the same strategy for active forms but with passive marking. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure Nonfinite participial modifiers may also occur in passive forms, such as “worn by…
Goal: Plan a strategy for active participial modifiers Note: These are nonfinite active verb forms that modify a head noun (e.g. “The mouse wearing a hat is here.”) Tip: These may be reduced relative clause forms. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure Today’s goal is to plan a strategy for active participial modifiers, which are nonfinite active verb…
Goal: Plan the structure of modifying adposition phrases Note: Focus on figuring out the placement of an adposition phrase modifying a noun. Tip: You may opt not to have unique forms but require relative clauses. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure Use today’s time to plan the structure of adposition phrases that modify head nouns, focusing on the…
Goal: Consider phrasal modification strategies for nouns Note: Along with relative clauses, phrases can modify head nouns within the noun phrase. Tip: Adposition phrases are common phrasal modifiers. Work focus: Learn/Brainstorm/Try Relative clauses modify head nouns in full clause form, but phrases can also modify head nouns, such as adposition phrases. For instance, in “The…
Goal: Update your dictionary and/or expand documentation Note: If you created new forms, make sure they are included in your dictionary. Tip: If needed, expand your section on relative clauses to include more examples and descriptions. Work focus: Solidify/Write/Share Today’s goal continues documentation of relative clauses. If needed, update your dictionary to ensure all the…
Goal: Write a section on relative clauses Note: Make sure to showcase their internal structure, as well as their placement. Tip: You’ll have time to work on this tomorrow, too, so you can split up the work as you see fit. Work focus: Solidify/Write/Share Today’s focus is on documentation. Spend time working on a section…
Goal: Create examples of relative clauses Note: Create full clauses with relative clauses embedded as modifiers. Tip: Make sure the clauses modify nouns occurring in different clausal positions. Work focus: Create/Make/List Today’s goal is to put all the relative clause work you’ve done into action! Create examples of matrix clauses with relative clauses, being sure…
Goal: Create forms you need OR more words in general Note: Create what you need to support your relative clause strategy. Tip: If you already have what you need, have some fun making new words! Work focus: Create/Make/List Over the past couple days, you identified and listed what forms you need to actually create your…
Goal: Create a template for relative clauses Note: List any forms you might need to create to support your relative clause strategy. Tip: Pull your focus onto internal structures of the clause, mapping out your needs. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure Focus today on the internal structures of your relative clauses, creating a template for the basic…
Goal: Plan a general strategy for relative clauses Note: Focus on the basics, including where relative clauses occur in matrix clauses. Tip: Create examples to include modification of nouns in multiple clausal positions. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure Today’s goal is to plan a strategy for relative clauses, focusing first on the “big picture” elements, like where…
