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 five proto-forms for weather Note: Begin with the most prominent weather phenomena your speakers experience. Tip: For now, you can underspecify how the forms are used (e.g. “rain” could be a noun or verb). Work focus: Create/Make/List The vocabulary creation continues! Today’s prompt asks you to create proto-forms for weather phenomena in your…
Goal: Create proto-forms for terrain features Note: Using information you outlined about the terrain, select at least five to assign words to. Tip: Focus on the most prominent features as you assign these roots. Work focus: Create/Make/List Today’s focus is on creating at least five proto-forms for terrain features. As you select which features will…
Goal: Create five proto-forms for body terms Note: Creating these forms necessitates finding a way to document them so you can keep a running list. Tip: As you create these initial forms, strive for phonetic variety, both in sounds and syllable structures. Work focus: Create/Make/List A question David and I frequently get asked is how…
Goal: Write a section on syllables and stress Note: This section focuses on your proto-forms only; these features can shift through sound changes. Tip: Tonal languages can evolve from proto-forms bearing stress (rather than tone). Work focus: Solidify/Write/Share Now that you have worked with a variety of word-like nonce forms using your selected sounds and…
Goal: Create nonce forms of varying lengths Note: As you work, decide how stress will be assigned to multisyllabic units. Tip: Make sure you create a variety of permissible syllable structures and word-like units. Work focus: Create/Make/List Today’s focus is to put the syllable structure you selected yesterday to the test by creating nonce forms…
Goal: Play around with syllable structures Note: Syllable structure is a major step in creating the phonotactics and, thus, the aesthetic of your language. Tip: Focus on a maximum syllable structure; only set minimums if you want stricter syllable structures. Work focus: Learn/Brainstorm/Try If you are brand new to language creation and/or linguistic studies, you…
Goal: Compile IPA charts for your conlang Note: You will make consonant and vowel charts to showcase your proto-inventory. Tip: However you choose to document your work, keep these charts in an easily accessible location! Work focus: Solidify/Write/Share You may have already compiled IPA charts as you selected the sounds that will be a part…
Day 15, January 15 Goal: Compile IPA charts for your conlang Note: You will make consonant and vowel charts to showcase your proto-inventory. Tip: However you choose to document your work, keep these charts in an easily accessible location! Work focus: Solidify/Write/Share Day 16, January 16 Goal: Play around with syllable structures Note: Syllable structure…
Goal: Choose diphthongs (if any) Note: As you make your decision, consider if you will allow V-V sequences in forms. Tip: A form like tai can be one syllable or two, depending on your selections. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, a diphthong requires movement during production but are perceived as a…
Goal: Choose monophthongs Note: The five-vowel system is a classic option for a good reason. Tip: Select vowels from opposing areas for maximal distinctions. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure For the past three days, you have worked on selecting a starting inventory of consonant sounds for your language. Today’s focus shifts to the vowel sounds in your…
