Language 101
October 6th 2010 12:48
Today we're going to talk a bit about language. Unless you're writing a book that takes place here on Earth in either modern or historical times, odds are your characters won't be speaking English. You probably won't want to create an entire language for your kingdom, but an idea of how their language works and a few words might be helpful.
As a start, briefly study some languages other than English. Look into grammar rules such as word order and punctuation. As one example take a look at some information on Irish Gaelic, one of the most interesting-and most ancient-human languages. I'll throw out a link for some Japanese Grammar too while we're at it.
Making Stuff Up
This isn't a language making course, though one (or a dozen) could easily be created. I've got a couple of questions for you and another link I hope you'll find useful, and then we'll move on for the day.
1. Does this language use the same alphabet? Is it missing letters? Is your language made up of the same letters as ours? Is it the English alphabet with some changes? (Think of how German doesn't have a W) How are those sounds made?
2. Is it a hard language or a soft language? Do your characters speak with harder accents? Is there a focus on hard consonant sounds or soft consonant sounds?
3. What are your vowels? What do they sound like? How are they made? What do they look like on paper?
You could spend days and days working on a language, and if you'd like to, check out The Language Construction Kit.
In Other News...
I'd like to ask for donations to Nanowrimo on my behalf. I'm looking for some people to Sponsor Me I'm hoping to raise $5.00 for every 25, 000 words I write on Nanowrimo's behalf, benefiting one of the greatest non-profits out there. It's changed my life and I'd like to help it change more.
Today's Prompt: Write 500 words about Language from your main character's point of view. Post your first paragraph.
Check out yesterday's post: Prompt&Questions.
As a start, briefly study some languages other than English. Look into grammar rules such as word order and punctuation. As one example take a look at some information on Irish Gaelic, one of the most interesting-and most ancient-human languages. I'll throw out a link for some Japanese Grammar too while we're at it.
Making Stuff Up
This isn't a language making course, though one (or a dozen) could easily be created. I've got a couple of questions for you and another link I hope you'll find useful, and then we'll move on for the day.
1. Does this language use the same alphabet? Is it missing letters? Is your language made up of the same letters as ours? Is it the English alphabet with some changes? (Think of how German doesn't have a W) How are those sounds made?
2. Is it a hard language or a soft language? Do your characters speak with harder accents? Is there a focus on hard consonant sounds or soft consonant sounds?
3. What are your vowels? What do they sound like? How are they made? What do they look like on paper?
You could spend days and days working on a language, and if you'd like to, check out The Language Construction Kit.
In Other News...
I'd like to ask for donations to Nanowrimo on my behalf. I'm looking for some people to Sponsor Me I'm hoping to raise $5.00 for every 25, 000 words I write on Nanowrimo's behalf, benefiting one of the greatest non-profits out there. It's changed my life and I'd like to help it change more.
Today's Prompt: Write 500 words about Language from your main character's point of view. Post your first paragraph.
Check out yesterday's post: Prompt&Questions.
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