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The Art Of Language Invention

From Horse-Lords to Dark Elves to Sand Worms, the Words Behind World-Building

David J. Peterson

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Paperback

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English
Penguin
04 April 2016
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 begins with a brief history of constructed languages from Tolkien's creations to Klingon to the thriving global community of language construction. Then, using examples from a variety of languages including his own creations, Peterson offers a captivating and lucid overview of language creation, providing a basic foundation of essential linguistic tools for inventing and evolving one's own lexicon. Along the way, behind-the-scenes stories lift the curtain on how he built languages for television series and movies like Dothraki for HBO's Game of Thrones and Shiv isith for Marvel's Thor- The Dark World, and an included phrasebook will start fans speaking Peterson's constructed languages. An inside look at a fascinating culture and a perfect entry point into an art form as old as civilization, The Art of Language Invention is a wild linguistic adventure that will have readers ready to rub shoulders with horse lords and dark elves.

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. Petersoncomes 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'sthriving 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 Monae. Along the way, behind-the-scenes stories lift the curtain on how he built languages like Dothraki for HBO's Game of Thrones and Shiv isith for Marvel's Thor- The Dark World, and an included phrasebook will start fans speaking Peterson's constructed languages. The Art of Language Invention is an inside look at a fascinating culture and an engaging entry into a flourishing art form-and it might be the most fun you'll ever have with linguistics.

The Art of Language Invention includes a new chapter on phrases, specifically, word order, negation, question formation, pragmatic concerns, relativization, and subordination, providing a complete introduction to language creation and linguistics. Invented languages featured in the book now include Chakobsa from Legendary's Dune, Trigedasleng (or Grounder) from The 100, Menish

language from Motherland- Fort Salem and Ravkan from the Netflix series Shadow and Bone.

By:  
Imprint:   Penguin
Country of Publication:   United States
Dimensions:   Height: 214mm,  Width: 138mm,  Spine: 20mm
Weight:   282g
ISBN:   9780143126461
ISBN 10:   0143126466
Pages:   292
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

David J. Peterson began creating languages in 2000, received his MA in Linguistics from the University of California, San Diego, in 2005, and cofounded the Language Creation Society in 2007. He has created languages for HBO s Game of Thrones, Syfy s Defiance and Dominion, the CW s Star-Crossed, and Thor: The Dark World. He is also the author of Living Language Dothraki.

Reviews for The Art Of Language Invention: From Horse-Lords to Dark Elves to Sand Worms, the Words Behind World-Building

David Peterson's language work transformed our show, investing it with a sense of reality and history that would have been impossible without him. There's nothing like the real thing, and David Peterson is it. This fascinating book will not only illuminate the task of language creation--it will make you look at your own language in a whole new way. -David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, co-creators of HBO's Game of Thrones George R. R. Martin created Khal Drogo, and David Benioff and Dan Weiss believed in me, but David Peterson gave me life. -Jason Momoa David J. Peterson's The Art of Language Invention accomplishes a minor miracle in taking a potentially arcane discipline and infusing it with life, humor and passion. It makes a compelling and entertaining case for language creation as visual and aural poetry. I cherish words, I love books about words and for me this is the best book about language since Stephen Fry's The Ode Less Traveled. And, best of all, there's a phrasebook! -Kevin Murphy, co-creator and showrunner of Syfy's Defiance If you want to know how someone makes up a language from the ground up, you'll find out how in this book-and the glory of it is that along the way you'll get the handiest introduction now in existence to what linguistics is. In fact, read this even if you DON'T feel like making up a language! -John McWhorter, author of The Language Hoax Accessible, entertaining, and thorough, Peterson has created an invaluable resource for authors, dedicated fans, and casual enthusiasts. This is the book I wish I'd had when I started writing. -Leigh Bardugo, New York Times bestselling author of Shadow and Bone This book not only lucidly ushers language invention into its own as an art form, it's also an excellent introduction to linguistics. -Arika Okrent, author of In the Land of Invented Languages Mr. Peterson illuminates the ins and outs of being a professional developer of constructed languages ...Language invention requires not only technical know-how but also playfulness and a degree of historical savvy. -The Wall Street Journal


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