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: Create wh-word nominal forms and examples Note: You may also be creating an interrogative particle, if that’s a part of your strategy. Tip: These include “who, what, which, whose” and any others needed for your inflectional system. Work focus: Create/Make/List Today’s goal is to create wh-word forms for your conlang that will allow you…
Goal: Explore options for wh-word as modifier Note: This includes “which/what/whose” as a determiner and/or modifier. Tip: Be sure to consider these forms supporting nouns in multiple clausal positions. Work focus: Learn/Brainstorm/Try Expand your brainstorming on wh-questions by exploring options for wh-words as modifiers for a head noun, such as “which car” or “what mouse”…
Goal: Explore options for wh-word questions Note: For now, focus on “what” and “who” arguments in different positions. Tip: Consider options for “who/what” as subject, object, and oblique/embedded constituent. Work focus: Learn/Brainstorm/Try Today’s goal shifts from y/n questions to wh-word questions, specifically focusing on content questions that target nominal arguments. While a y/n question can…
Goal: Write a section on y/n questions Note: Include a variety of examples and include ways to answer the questions. Tip: As you work, also update your dictionary and head word forms as needed. Work focus: Solidify/Write/Share Document your work on y/n questions by writing a section in your conlang’s grammar. Be sure to include…
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…
Goal: Review verb forms in light of y/n question strategies Note: Identify if/how any inflectional markings are affected by question forms. Tip: Use a single question as a base form and run it through a variety of inflectional options. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure Review any information you’ve written on verb forms (e.g. inflection charts, documentation) to…
Goal: Create a variety of negative y/n questions Note: This means the verb is negated (e.g. “Didn’t you see the mouse?”). Tip: Negated forms may indicate the speaker believes the clause should be true. Work focus: Create/Make/List Today’s focus shifts to negative y/n questions, such as “Didn’t you see the mouse?” or “Isn’t that bread…
Goal: Create a variety of positive y/n questions Note: This means the verb is not negated (e.g. “Did you see the mouse?”). Tip: Remember that all these questions should be answerable with a simple “yes” or “no.” Work focus: Create/Make/List First, create any new particles, inflections, or auxiliaries that you need for forming y/n questions. …
Goal: Lay out a strategy for creating y/n questions Note: You may need different strategies for different verb types. Tip: Languages may have different structures and expectations for positive v. negative forms. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure Select a strategy for creating y/n questions. You may need to consider having multiple strategies if you have different syntactic…
Goal: Explore options for forming y/n questions Note: Options include word order shift, y/n particle, and/or interrogative inflection(s). Tip: These strategies may be entirely distinct from wh-word questions. Work focus: Learn/Brainstorm/Try It’s time to start thinking about questions! The first focus is on yes/no questions, or questions that can be answered with a simple “yes”…
