Constructed language: Difference between revisions
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A '''constructed''' or '''artificial language''' — also colloquially known as a '''conlang''' — is a [[language]] whose [[grammar]] (possibly including its [[phonology|phonological system]] and/or [[vocabulary]]) have been devised by an individual or group, instead of having [[natural language|natural]]ly evolved. Among the many possible reasons to create a constructed language are the will to ease human [[communication]] (see [[international auxiliary language]] and [[code]]); to make a [[fiction|fictional]] story or a [[constructed world]] more veracious; [[linguistics|linguistic]] experimentation or simply for [[artistic language| aesthetic pleasure]]. | A '''constructed''' or '''artificial language''' — also colloquially known as a '''conlang''' — is a [[language]] whose [[grammar]] (possibly including its [[phonology|phonological system]] and/or [[vocabulary]]) have been devised by an individual or group, instead of having [[natural language|natural]]ly evolved. Among the many possible reasons to create a constructed language are the will to ease human [[communication]] (see [[international auxiliary language]] and [[code]]); to make a [[fiction|fictional]] story or a [[constructed world]] more veracious; [[linguistics|linguistic]] experimentation or simply for [[artistic language| aesthetic pleasure]]. | ||
Revision as of 01:10, 2 June 2009
A constructed or artificial language — also colloquially known as a conlang — is a language whose grammar (possibly including its phonological system and/or vocabulary) have been devised by an individual or group, instead of having naturally evolved. Among the many possible reasons to create a constructed language are the will to ease human communication (see international auxiliary language and code); to make a fictional story or a constructed world more veracious; linguistic experimentation or simply for aesthetic pleasure.
Overview
There are two main categories into which a constructed language can be classified:
- A priori language: The grammar and vocabulary is created from scratch using the author(s) imagination or, less usually, by taking strings randomly generated by a computer. Example: Klingon.
- A posteriori language: Its grammar and/or vocabulary are based on some existing language, either as a variation of one or as a mixture of various. Example: Esperanto.
External links
Langmaker.com - Wiki with resources to create and investigate constructed languages.