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Fictional Language

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Synonyms: Conlang, Constructed Language, Artistic Language
See also: Elvish, Klingonese, Na'vi, Vulcan, Cityspeak, Tengwar, Aurabesh, Gallifreyan, Standard Galactic Alphabet
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Fictional Languages are commonly used in science fiction and fantasy to add depth and verisimilitude to fictional worlds; they can range from a few words and phrases to entire languages complete with grammar and slang.

Klingon and Tolkien's Quenya and Sindarin Elvish languages are two of the most commonly studied fictional languages. Other languages from Star Trek are also frequently studied.

Livejournal includes a number of communities for learning fictional languages, including Gen-lis Vuhlkansu for Vulcan and tlhIngan Hol for Klingon.

Fans who often take fictional languages further: studying them, learning to speak and write them, or expanding on the minimal syntax and vocabulary from canon. Clubs, language institutes, conventions, zines and journals can all have a fannish focus on fictional languages.

Creating one's own constructed languages or "conlangs"[1] is another important sphere of fan activity, sometimes called fanlanging. It is also a well known practice outside of fandom. Esperanto is an example of a famous non-fandom constructed language.

Canons

Some fandoms that have an extensive fictional language component:

AO3 Canonical Languages

Fan-created Conlangs

Outside of canonical conlangs, fans may also opt to create their own based on canon, or expand on very basic canonical conlangs that only consist of a few words or phrases.

Earthsea

Lord of the Rings

Star Trek

a copy of Impulse #5's front cover (1971) showing a note either from Gene Roddenberry or to Gene Roddenberry regarding the Vulcan linguistics article by Jacqueline Lichtenberg called Linguistic Notes by Jacqueline Lichtenberg.

This copy of "Impulse" #5 was sold in 2015 on eBay as part of Gene Roddenberry's personal collection and included a Certificate of Authenticity.

Vulcan

Vulcan Language

Klingon

Klingonese

Romulan

Romulan Language Guide

Star Wars

  • Pegasus #3 has an article that deconstructs some of Greedo's language

Superman

Communities

Various conlang groups exist within science fiction fandom, within other fandoms, and outside of fandom. The livejournal community 'conlangs' is one place conlangers organize. The Language Creation Society has a website for those interested in conlangs.

Some Fan Examples

Fanfiction

Further Reading/Meta

References

  1. ^ Constructed language, Wikipedia (Accessed August 18, 2010)