How to Create a Language? | Big Ideas Lecture by conlangers David and Jessie Peterson

Another example was their work on the conlang for Dune - Part Two. Jessie discussed how they incorporated elements of ancient languages and designed unique grammatical rules to fit the film’s futuristic yet historical setting. “It’s about striking a balance between familiarity and novelty,” she said. “We want the audience to feel a sense of authenticity while being intrigued by the uniqueness of the language.”

Discussion and Q&A Session

Following the lecture, Saar invited linguistic scientist Marc van Oostendorp to join the Petersons for an in-depth discussion and Q&A session. The conversation aimed to explore deeper linguistic questions and engage the audience in a meaningful dialogue about constructed languages.

Saar began by addressing a core characteristic of language: Natural evolution. She asked, “Is it not essential for a language to evolve naturally among people?” David responded by explaining that while natural evolution is indeed a fundamental aspect of language, constructing languages allows for exploration of linguistic possibilities and a deeper understanding of the principles governing natural languages. Jessie expanded on this by discussing the cultural context of language. She emphasized that language and culture are deeply intertwined, and creating a language involves imagining its cultural backdrop. “A constructed language must reflect a coherent cultural context to feel authentic,” she explained.

The discussion then moved to the authenticity of conlangs. Saar inquired about what makes a constructed language authentic. Jessie highlighted that authenticity comes from internal consistency and a solid grounding in linguistic principles. Despite being invented, a language must adhere to logical rules and convey a sense of cultural depth.

One of the most intriguing parts of the discussion was the philosophical implications of creating languages. Saar posed a question whether language creates realities and if by creating languages, the Petersons also create new possibilities. David reflected on this, stating that inventing languages indeed opens new avenues for storytelling and world-building, creating frameworks for new cultural expressions and, in a sense, new realities.
Marc van Oostendorp contributed by discussing the potential of conlangs in understanding linguistic diversity and the cognitive processes involved in language acquisition and use. He noted that studying conlangs can provide insights into how languages function and evolve.

The session concluded with a lively Q&A, where the audience asked questions ranging from technical aspects of language construction to the creative inspiration behind specific conlangs. The Petersons answered with enthusiasm, providing a glimpse into their creative process and the joy they find in language invention.

Conclusion

The evening concluded with a reflection on the power and beauty of language creation. The Petersons’ insights not only showcased the complexity and creativity involved in constructing languages but also highlighted the profound connections between language, culture, and human expression. The audience left the theater with a renewed appreciation for the art of conlanging and its potential to enrich both fictional worlds and our understanding of linguistic phenomena. This event demonstrated that constructed languages are much more than a tool for storytelling; they are a testament to human creativity and a window into the complex and intricate workings of language itself.

Announcement

Dothraki, spoken in Game of Thrones, is a constructed language. Movies like Dune - Part Two, Elemental and several Marvel productions also contain such a conlang. They were all created by the world renowned conlang couple David and Jessie Peterson, who are invited to Nijmegen by film festival InScience and Radboud Reflects. Come and join this Big Ideas Lecture with this famous conlang couple and learn how creating a language actually works, and what we can learn about the inner workings of language by constructing a totally new one.

Conlang

Conlang is short for ‘constructed language’, meaning that this language did not develop naturally but was consciously devised for a specific purpose. Where do you start when constructing a language from scratch? How do you get a language to actually mean something?

Creating realities

After David en Jessie Petersons lecture they will, together with linguistic scientist Marc van Oostendorp, discuss questions such as: Is it not a core characteristic of language that it evolves naturally between people? Can language exist outside of a cultural context? What makes a language authentic? Some linguists suggest that language creates realities, does that mean that David and Jessie also create new possibilities by creating languages? Come and join these famous inventors of languages and ask your own questions.

This programme will be in English.

About the speakers

David Peterson With a background in English and Linguistics, David J. Peterson has created languages for Game of Thrones, as well as for different television productions by Netflix, Disney, Pixar and Marvel. He co-founded the Language Creation Society in 2007 and served as its president from 2011 to 2014. He also wrote the books The art of language invention and Living Language Dothraki.

Jessie Peterson was a professor of Linguistics at Stephen F. Austin State University. After teaching and researching the art of inventing languages for 13 years – with expertise in syntax, semantics, and English etymology – she now became a fulltime professional conlanger.

Marc van Oostendorp is a professor of Dutch and Academic communication at Radboud University. He teaches Theoretical and Applied Linguistics and studies how academics can communicate more effectively.