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  • The Art of Language Invention: From Horse-Lords to Dark Elves to Sand Worms, the Words Behind World-Building by David J. Peterson book cover
  • The Art of Language Invention: From Horse-Lords to Dark Elves to Sand Worms, the Words Behind World-Building by David J. Peterson book cover
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The Art of Language Invention: From Horse-Lords to Dark Elves to Sand Worms, the Words Behind World-Building

by David J. Peterson

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How invented languages give imagined worlds their own logic

$17.69 USD
$29.49 USD $17.69 USD
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Paperback New English

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AlbakiReads Editorial

How invented languages give imagined worlds their own logic

David J. Peterson surveys the craft of constructing languages for speculative fiction, placing modern conlanging alongside examples such as Tolkien’s languages and Klingon. The book moves from the history and community of language invention into practical building blocks for creating and developing a new language. Drawing on examples from natural languages and Peterson’s own work, it connects vocabulary and linguistic systems to the larger work of world-building. References across science fiction, fantasy, television, and popular culture frame language creation as both a technical discipline and a creative tool.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Writers and game creators developing fictional worlds
  • Science-fiction and fantasy fans curious about constructed languages
  • Language enthusiasts interested in conlanging history and practice

Themes

Constructed languagesWorld-buildingLinguisticsScience fiction and fantasyCreative writing

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

An insider's tour through the construction of invented languages from the bestselling author and creator of languages for Legendary's Dune, the HBO series Game of Thrones and the Syfy series Defiance

From master language creator David J. Peterson comes a creative guide to language construction for sci-fi and fantasy fans, writers, game creators, and language lovers. Peterson offers a captivating overview of language creation, covering its history from Tolkien's creations and Klingon to today's thriving global community of conlangers. He provides the essential tools necessary for inventing and evolving new languages, using examples from a variety of languages including his own creations, punctuated with references to everything from Star Wars to Janelle Mon

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