Tékumel is a fantasy world created by American linguist and writer M. A. R. Barker over the course of several decades from around 1940. In this imaginary world , huge, tradition-bound empires with medieval levels of technology vie for control using magic, large standing armies, and ancient technological devices. In time, Barker created the tabletop role-playing game Empire of the Petal Throne , set in the Tékumel universe, initially self publishing it in 1974. Later, Barker wrote a series of five novels set in Tékumel, beginning with The Man of Gold , first published by DAW Books in 1984.
123-488: Barker, like the better-known J. R. R. Tolkien , considered not just the creation of a fantasy world but also an in-depth development of the societies and languages of the world. In other words, the setting also provided a context for Barker's constructed languages which were developed in parallel from the mid-to-late 1940s, long before the mass-market publication of his works as the roleplaying game and book forms. The most significant language created by Barker for his setting
246-511: A fictional language . Planned languages (or engineered languages / engelangs ) are languages that have been purposefully designed; they are the result of deliberate, controlling intervention and are thus of a form of language planning . There are many possible reasons to create a constructed language, such as to ease human communication (see international auxiliary language and code ); to give fiction or an associated constructed setting an added layer of realism; for experimentation in
369-400: A hobby , or in connection to worldbuilding . The expression planned language is sometimes used to indicate international auxiliary languages and other languages designed for actual use in human communication. Some prefer it to the adjective artificial , as this term may be perceived as pejorative. Outside Esperanto culture , the term language planning means the prescriptions given to
492-432: A work of fiction . A constructed language may also be referred to as an artificial , planned or invented language , or (in some cases) a fictional language . Planned languages (or engineered languages / engelangs ) are languages that have been purposefully designed; they are the result of deliberate, controlling intervention and are thus of a form of language planning . There are many possible reasons to create
615-576: A "natural language" ( Natursprache ) of the senses. Musical languages from the Renaissance were often tied up with mysticism , magic and alchemy , sometimes also referred to as the language of the birds . A non-mystic musical language was Solresol . The 17th century saw the rise of projects for "philosophical" or "a priori" languages, such as: These early taxonomic conlangs produced systems of hierarchical classification that were intended to result in both spoken and written expression. Leibniz had
738-522: A "natural language" ( Natursprache ) of the senses. Musical languages from the Renaissance were often tied up with mysticism , magic and alchemy , sometimes also referred to as the language of the birds . A non-mystic musical language was Solresol . The 17th century saw the rise of projects for "philosophical" or "a priori" languages, such as: These early taxonomic conlangs produced systems of hierarchical classification that were intended to result in both spoken and written expression. Leibniz had
861-410: A 365-day year, disrupted local ecologies and banished most of the local flora and fauna (including some intelligent species) to small reservations in the corners of their own world, resulting in a golden age of technology and prosperity for Mankind and its allies. Tékumel became a resort world, where the wealthy from a thousand other stars could while away their time next to its warm seas. Suddenly, in
984-627: A combat-oriented board game, based on his world of Tékumel, published by TSR in 1975. Barker was a Professor of Urdu and South Asian Studies at the University of Minnesota during the period when David Arneson , Gary Gygax and a handful of others were developing the first tabletop role-playing games in the Twin Cities and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin . Barker tapped into this tradition and the setting he had developed from his childhood fantasies (much as H. G. Wells had done for his Floor Games leading into
1107-509: A community of conlangers with its own customs, such as translation challenges and translation relays , and its own terminology. Sarah Higley reports from results of her surveys that the demographics of the Conlang list are primarily men from North America and western Europe, with a smaller number from Oceania, Asia, the Middle East, and South America, with an age range from thirteen to over sixty;
1230-405: A community of conlangers with its own customs, such as translation challenges and translation relays , and its own terminology. Sarah Higley reports from results of her surveys that the demographics of the Conlang list are primarily men from North America and western Europe, with a smaller number from Oceania, Asia, the Middle East, and South America, with an age range from thirteen to over sixty;
1353-444: A constructed language is that if it was constructed to be a natural language for use by fictional foreigners or aliens, as with Dothraki and High Valyrian in the Game of Thrones series, which was adapted from the A Song of Ice and Fire book series, the language should be easily pronounced by actors, and should fit with and incorporate any fragments of the language already invented by
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#17328686980131476-399: A constructed language is that if it was constructed to be a natural language for use by fictional foreigners or aliens, as with Dothraki and High Valyrian in the Game of Thrones series, which was adapted from the A Song of Ice and Fire book series, the language should be easily pronounced by actors, and should fit with and incorporate any fragments of the language already invented by
1599-501: A constructed language is the telescope rule, which claims that it takes less time to first learn a simple constructed language and then a natural language, than to learn only a natural language. Thus, if someone wants to learn English, some suggest learning Basic English first. Constructed languages like Esperanto and Interlingua are in fact often simpler due to the typical lack of irregular verbs and other grammatical quirks. Some studies have found that learning Esperanto helps in learning
1722-501: A constructed language is the telescope rule, which claims that it takes less time to first learn a simple constructed language and then a natural language, than to learn only a natural language. Thus, if someone wants to learn English, some suggest learning Basic English first. Constructed languages like Esperanto and Interlingua are in fact often simpler due to the typical lack of irregular verbs and other grammatical quirks. Some studies have found that learning Esperanto helps in learning
1845-429: A constructed language, such as to ease human communication (see international auxiliary language and code ); to give fiction or an associated constructed setting an added layer of realism; for experimentation in the fields of linguistics , cognitive science , and machine learning ; for artistic creation ; for fantasy role-playing games ; and for language games . Some people may also make constructed languages as
1968-584: A first language ". A member of the Klingon Language Institute , d'Armond Speers , attempted to raise his son as a native (bilingual with English) Klingon speaker. As soon as a constructed language has a community of fluent speakers, especially if it has numerous native speakers, it begins to evolve and hence loses its constructed status. For example, Modern Hebrew and its pronunciation norms were developed from existing traditions of Hebrew , such as Mishnaic Hebrew and Biblical Hebrew following
2091-516: A first language ". A member of the Klingon Language Institute , d'Armond Speers , attempted to raise his son as a native (bilingual with English) Klingon speaker. As soon as a constructed language has a community of fluent speakers, especially if it has numerous native speakers, it begins to evolve and hence loses its constructed status. For example, Modern Hebrew and its pronunciation norms were developed from existing traditions of Hebrew , such as Mishnaic Hebrew and Biblical Hebrew following
2214-422: A general Sephardic pronunciation, rather than engineered from scratch, and has undergone considerable changes since the state of Israel was founded in 1948 (Hetzron 1990:693). However, linguist Ghil'ad Zuckermann argues that Modern Hebrew, which he terms "Israeli", is a Semito-European hybrid based not only on Hebrew but also on Yiddish and other languages spoken by revivalists. Zuckermann therefore endorses
2337-422: A general Sephardic pronunciation, rather than engineered from scratch, and has undergone considerable changes since the state of Israel was founded in 1948 (Hetzron 1990:693). However, linguist Ghil'ad Zuckermann argues that Modern Hebrew, which he terms "Israeli", is a Semito-European hybrid based not only on Hebrew but also on Yiddish and other languages spoken by revivalists. Zuckermann therefore endorses
2460-494: A linguist who created multiple well-known constructed languages including the Valyrian languages and Dothraki , advocated a similar opinion, saying that "Theoretically, anyone can publish anything using any language I created, and, in my opinion, neither I nor anyone else should be able to do anything about it." However, Peterson also expressed concern that the respective rights-holders—regardless of whether or not their ownership of
2583-444: A linguist who created multiple well-known constructed languages including the Valyrian languages and Dothraki , advocated a similar opinion, saying that "Theoretically, anyone can publish anything using any language I created, and, in my opinion, neither I nor anyone else should be able to do anything about it." However, Peterson also expressed concern that the respective rights-holders—regardless of whether or not their ownership of
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#17328686980132706-700: A middle ground between naïve natural selection and development of language and its explicit construction. The term glossopoeia is also used to mean language construction, particularly construction of artistic languages . Conlang speakers are rare. For example, the Hungarian census of 2011 found 8,397 speakers of Esperanto , and the census of 2001 found 10 of Romanid , two each of Interlingua and Ido and one each of Idiom Neutral and Mundolinco . The Russian census of 2010 found that in Russia there were about 992 speakers of Esperanto (the 120th most common) and nine of
2829-498: A natural language to standardize it; in this regard, even a "natural language" may be artificial in some respects, meaning some of its words have been crafted by conscious decision. Prescriptive grammars , which date to ancient times for classical languages such as Latin and Sanskrit , are rule-based codifications of natural languages, such codifications being a middle ground between naïve natural selection and development of language and its explicit construction. The term glossopoeia
2952-537: A non-constructed language later (see propaedeutic value of Esperanto). Codes for constructed languages include the ISO 639-2 " art " for conlangs; however, some constructed languages have their own ISO 639 language codes (e.g. " eo " and " epo " for Esperanto , " jbo " for Lojban , " ia " and " ina " for Interlingua , " tlh " for Klingon , " io " and " ido " for Ido , " lfn " for Lingua Franca Nova , and " tok " for Toki Pona ). One constraint on
3075-492: A non-constructed language later (see propaedeutic value of Esperanto). Codes for constructed languages include the ISO 639-2 " art " for conlangs; however, some constructed languages have their own ISO 639 language codes (e.g. " eo " and " epo " for Esperanto , " jbo " for Lojban , " ia " and " ina " for Interlingua , " tlh " for Klingon , " io " and " ido " for Ido , " lfn " for Lingua Franca Nova , and " tok " for Toki Pona ). One constraint on
3198-409: A particular language family) are a posteriori by definition. While most auxiliary languages are a posteriori due to their intended function as a medium of communication, many artistic languages are fully a posteriori in design—many for the purposes of alternate history . In distinguishing whether the language is a priori or a posteriori , the prevalence and distribution of respectable traits
3321-409: A particular language family) are a posteriori by definition. While most auxiliary languages are a posteriori due to their intended function as a medium of communication, many artistic languages are fully a posteriori in design—many for the purposes of alternate history . In distinguishing whether the language is a priori or a posteriori , the prevalence and distribution of respectable traits
3444-499: A posteriori auxiliary languages. Joachim Faiguet de Villeneuve in the article on Langue wrote a short proposition of a "laconic" or regularized grammar of French . During the 19th century, a bewildering variety of such International Auxiliary Languages (IALs) were proposed, so that Louis Couturat and Léopold Leau in Histoire de la langue universelle (1903) reviewed 38 projects. The first of these that made any international impact
3567-449: A posteriori auxiliary languages. Joachim Faiguet de Villeneuve in the article on Langue wrote a short proposition of a "laconic" or regularized grammar of French . During the 19th century, a bewildering variety of such International Auxiliary Languages (IALs) were proposed, so that Louis Couturat and Léopold Leau in Histoire de la langue universelle (1903) reviewed 38 projects. The first of these that made any international impact
3690-406: A pragmatic return to the aims of the a priori languages, tempered by the requirement of usability of an auxiliary language. Thus far, these modern a priori languages have garnered only small groups of speakers. Robot Interaction Language (2010) is a spoken language that is optimized for communication between machines and humans. The major goals of ROILA are that it should be easily learnable by
3813-406: A pragmatic return to the aims of the a priori languages, tempered by the requirement of usability of an auxiliary language. Thus far, these modern a priori languages have garnered only small groups of speakers. Robot Interaction Language (2010) is a spoken language that is optimized for communication between machines and humans. The major goals of ROILA are that it should be easily learnable by
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3936-476: A priori language based on such a classification of concepts. Under the entry Charactère , D'Alembert critically reviewed the projects of philosophical languages of the preceding century. After the Encyclopédie , projects for a priori languages moved more and more to the lunatic fringe. Individual authors, typically unaware of the history of the idea, continued to propose taxonomic philosophical languages until
4059-422: A priori language based on such a classification of concepts. Under the entry Charactère , D'Alembert critically reviewed the projects of philosophical languages of the preceding century. After the Encyclopédie , projects for a priori languages moved more and more to the lunatic fringe. Individual authors, typically unaware of the history of the idea, continued to propose taxonomic philosophical languages until
4182-510: A priori when considering some linguistic factors, and at the same time a posteriori when considering other factors. An a priori language is any constructed language with some features which are not based on existing languages. Instead these features are invented or elaborated to work differently or to allude to different purposes. Some a priori languages are designed to be international auxiliary languages that remove what could be considered an unfair learning advantage for native speakers of
4305-510: A priori when considering some linguistic factors, and at the same time a posteriori when considering other factors. An a priori language is any constructed language with some features which are not based on existing languages. Instead these features are invented or elaborated to work differently or to allude to different purposes. Some a priori languages are designed to be international auxiliary languages that remove what could be considered an unfair learning advantage for native speakers of
4428-456: A priori . An a posteriori language (from Latin a posteriori , "from the latter"), according to French linguist Louis Couturat , is any constructed language whose elements are borrowed from or based on existing languages. The term can also be extended to controlled versions of natural languages, and is most commonly used to refer to vocabulary despite other features. Likewise, zonal auxiliary languages (auxiliary languages for speakers of
4551-456: A priori . An a posteriori language (from Latin a posteriori , "from the latter"), according to French linguist Louis Couturat , is any constructed language whose elements are borrowed from or based on existing languages. The term can also be extended to controlled versions of natural languages, and is most commonly used to refer to vocabulary despite other features. Likewise, zonal auxiliary languages (auxiliary languages for speakers of
4674-614: A set of rules for explaining language, so that the text of his grammar may be considered a mixture of natural and constructed language. A legend recorded in the seventh-century Irish work Auraicept na n-Éces claims that Fénius Farsaid visited Shinar after the confusion of tongues , and he and his scholars studied the various languages for ten years, taking the best features of each to create in Bérla tóbaide ("the selected language"), which he named Goídelc —the Irish language. This appears to be
4797-518: A set of rules for explaining language, so that the text of his grammar may be considered a mixture of natural and constructed language. A legend recorded in the seventh-century Irish work Auraicept na n-Éces claims that Fénius Farsaid visited Shinar after the confusion of tongues , and he and his scholars studied the various languages for ten years, taking the best features of each to create in Bérla tóbaide ("the selected language"), which he named Goídelc —the Irish language. This appears to be
4920-494: A significant number of speakers, emerged in 1951, when the International Auxiliary Language Association published its Interlingua–English Dictionary and an accompanying grammar . The success of Esperanto did not stop others from trying to construct new auxiliary languages, such as Leslie Jones' Eurolengo , which mixes elements of English and Spanish. Loglan (1955) and its descendants constitute
5043-408: A significant number of speakers, emerged in 1951, when the International Auxiliary Language Association published its Interlingua–English Dictionary and an accompanying grammar . The success of Esperanto did not stop others from trying to construct new auxiliary languages, such as Leslie Jones' Eurolengo , which mixes elements of English and Spanish. Loglan (1955) and its descendants constitute
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5166-410: A similar purpose for his lingua generalis of 1678, aiming at a lexicon of characters upon which the user might perform calculations that would yield true propositions automatically, as a side-effect developing binary calculus . These projects were not only occupied with reducing or modelling grammar, but also with the arrangement of all human knowledge into "characters" or hierarchies, an idea that with
5289-410: A similar purpose for his lingua generalis of 1678, aiming at a lexicon of characters upon which the user might perform calculations that would yield true propositions automatically, as a side-effect developing binary calculus . These projects were not only occupied with reducing or modelling grammar, but also with the arrangement of all human knowledge into "characters" or hierarchies, an idea that with
5412-449: A source language that would otherwise exist for a posteriori languages. Others, known as philosophical or taxonomic languages , try to categorize their vocabulary, either to express an underlying philosophy or to make it easier to recognize new vocabulary. Finally, many artistic languages , created for either personal use or for use in a fictional medium, employ consciously constructed grammars and vocabularies, and are best understood as
5535-449: A source language that would otherwise exist for a posteriori languages. Others, known as philosophical or taxonomic languages , try to categorize their vocabulary, either to express an underlying philosophy or to make it easier to recognize new vocabulary. Finally, many artistic languages , created for either personal use or for use in a fictional medium, employ consciously constructed grammars and vocabularies, and are best understood as
5658-465: A third spend years on developing the same language. Conlang A constructed language (shortened to conlang ) is a language whose phonology , grammar , orthography , and vocabulary , instead of having developed naturally , are consciously devised for some purpose, which may include being devised for a work of fiction . A constructed language may also be referred to as an artificial , planned or invented language , or (in some cases)
5781-535: Is Balaibalan , invented in the 16th century. Kabbalistic grammatical speculation was directed at recovering the original language spoken by Adam and Eve in Paradise , lost in the confusion of tongues . The first Christian project for an ideal language is outlined in Dante Alighieri 's De vulgari eloquentia , where he searches for the ideal Italian vernacular suited for literature. Ramon Llull 's Ars Magna
5904-428: Is Balaibalan , invented in the 16th century. Kabbalistic grammatical speculation was directed at recovering the original language spoken by Adam and Eve in Paradise , lost in the confusion of tongues . The first Christian project for an ideal language is outlined in Dante Alighieri 's De vulgari eloquentia , where he searches for the ideal Italian vernacular suited for literature. Ramon Llull 's Ars Magna
6027-520: Is Tsolyáni , which resembles Urdu , Pashto and Nahuatl . Tsolyáni has had grammatical guides, dictionaries, pronunciation recordings, and even a complete language course developed for it. In order for his imaginary languages to have this type of depth, Barker developed entire cultures, histories, dress fashions, architectural styles, weapons, armor, tactical styles, legal codes, demographics and more. They were inspired by Indian , Middle Eastern , Egyptian and Meso-American mythology in contrast to
6150-1284: Is a misuse of terms to say that we have natural language; languages exist through arbitrary institutions and the conventions of peoples. Voices, as the dialecticians say, don't signify naturally, but capriciously. " Furthermore, fictional or experimental languages can be considered naturalistic if they model real world languages. For example, if a naturalistic conlang is derived a posteriori from another language (real or constructed), it should imitate natural processes of phonological , lexical , and grammatical change. In contrast with languages such as Interlingua, naturalistic fictional languages are not usually intended for easy learning or communication. Thus, naturalistic fictional languages tend to be more difficult and complex. While Interlingua has simpler grammar, syntax, and orthography than its source languages (though more complex and irregular than Esperanto or its descendants), naturalistic fictional languages typically mimic behaviors of natural languages like irregular verbs and nouns, and complicated phonological processes. In terms of purpose, most constructed languages can broadly be divided into: The boundaries between these categories are by no means clear. A constructed language could easily fall into more than one of
6273-1284: Is a misuse of terms to say that we have natural language; languages exist through arbitrary institutions and the conventions of peoples. Voices, as the dialecticians say, don't signify naturally, but capriciously. " Furthermore, fictional or experimental languages can be considered naturalistic if they model real world languages. For example, if a naturalistic conlang is derived a posteriori from another language (real or constructed), it should imitate natural processes of phonological , lexical , and grammatical change. In contrast with languages such as Interlingua, naturalistic fictional languages are not usually intended for easy learning or communication. Thus, naturalistic fictional languages tend to be more difficult and complex. While Interlingua has simpler grammar, syntax, and orthography than its source languages (though more complex and irregular than Esperanto or its descendants), naturalistic fictional languages typically mimic behaviors of natural languages like irregular verbs and nouns, and complicated phonological processes. In terms of purpose, most constructed languages can broadly be divided into: The boundaries between these categories are by no means clear. A constructed language could easily fall into more than one of
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#17328686980136396-559: Is a simplification of Latin from which the inflections have been removed. As with Interlingua, some prefer to describe its development as "planning" rather than "constructing". Some speakers of Esperanto and Esperantidos also avoid the term "artificial language" because they deny that there is anything "unnatural" about the use of their language in human communication. By contrast, some philosophers have argued that all human languages are conventional or artificial. François Rabelais 's fictional giant Pantagruel, for instance, said: " It
6519-559: Is a simplification of Latin from which the inflections have been removed. As with Interlingua, some prefer to describe its development as "planning" rather than "constructing". Some speakers of Esperanto and Esperantidos also avoid the term "artificial language" because they deny that there is anything "unnatural" about the use of their language in human communication. By contrast, some philosophers have argued that all human languages are conventional or artificial. François Rabelais 's fictional giant Pantagruel, for instance, said: " It
6642-512: Is a world very poor in heavy metals) and in the midst of a massive gravitic upheaval due to the lines of gravitational force between the stars being suddenly cut, civilization was thrown into chaos. The intelligent native species, the Hlǘss and the Ssú, broke free from their reservations and wars as destructive as the massive geographic changes ravaged the planet. Several other significant changes took place due to
6765-470: Is also used to mean language construction, particularly construction of artistic languages . Conlang speakers are rare. For example, the Hungarian census of 2011 found 8,397 speakers of Esperanto , and the census of 2001 found 10 of Romanid , two each of Interlingua and Ido and one each of Idiom Neutral and Mundolinco . The Russian census of 2010 found that in Russia there were about 992 speakers of Esperanto (the 120th most common) and nine of
6888-575: Is as follows: The Journal of Tékumel Affairs (later known as The Tékumel Journal ) was a magazine published by Tékumel Games that began publication in 1977, devoted to the Empire of the Petal Throne and Swords & Glory role-playing systems. Frederick Paul Kiesche III reviewed The Journal of Tékumel Affairs in Space Gamer No. 71. Kiesche commented that "In sum, a useful item, especially if
7011-464: Is contentious. In a 2015 lawsuit, CBS and Paramount Pictures challenged a fan film project called Axanar, stating the project infringed upon their intellectual property, which included the Klingon language , among other creative elements. During the controversy, Marc Okrand, the language's original designer expressed doubt as to whether Paramount's claims of ownership were valid. David J. Peterson ,
7134-415: Is contentious. In a 2015 lawsuit, CBS and Paramount Pictures challenged a fan film project called Axanar, stating the project infringed upon their intellectual property, which included the Klingon language , among other creative elements. During the controversy, Marc Okrand, the language's original designer expressed doubt as to whether Paramount's claims of ownership were valid. David J. Peterson ,
7257-522: Is of use as it is the root language for Tsolyáni and many of the other currently spoken languages of the known parts of Tékumel. Sunúz is of interest because, although it is obscure, it is quite useful for sorcerous purposes. For instance, Sunúz contains terms to describe movement in a six-dimensional multi-planar space, something of use to beings who visit the other planar realms where "demons" live. Barker also published extensively on scripts for other languages of Tékumel. Barker designed War of Wizards ,
7380-512: Is often the key. Grammatical speculation dates from Classical Antiquity ; for instance, it appears in Plato 's Cratylus in Hermogenes's contention that words are not inherently linked to what they refer to; that people apply "a piece of their own voice ... to the thing". Athenaeus tells the story of two figures: Dionysius of Sicily and Alexarchus : "He [Alexarchus] once wrote something ... to
7503-412: Is often the key. Grammatical speculation dates from Classical Antiquity ; for instance, it appears in Plato 's Cratylus in Hermogenes's contention that words are not inherently linked to what they refer to; that people apply "a piece of their own voice ... to the thing". Athenaeus tells the story of two figures: Dionysius of Sicily and Alexarchus : "He [Alexarchus] once wrote something ... to
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#17328686980137626-452: Is sometimes cited; this claims that the language one speaks influences the way one thinks. Thus, a "better" language should allow the speaker to think more clearly or intelligently or to encompass more points of view; this was the intention of Suzette Haden Elgin in creating Láadan , a feminist language embodied in her feminist science fiction series Native Tongue . Constructed languages have been included in standardized tests such as
7749-452: Is sometimes cited; this claims that the language one speaks influences the way one thinks. Thus, a "better" language should allow the speaker to think more clearly or intelligently or to encompass more points of view; this was the intention of Suzette Haden Elgin in creating Láadan , a feminist language embodied in her feminist science fiction series Native Tongue . Constructed languages have been included in standardized tests such as
7872-536: Is the only Tekumeláni language that has had a full grammar book, dictionary, pronunciation tapes (on CD) and a primer, publicly released, it is not the only language for this world that Barker developed. Also available are grammar guides for the Yán Koryáni and Livyáni languages which are spoken in two other of the "Five Empires" of the known parts of Tékumel, as well as grammar books for Engsvanyáli and Sunúz. These two languages are now extinct, dead languages. Engsvanyáli
7995-647: The Hieroglyphica of Horapollo , and first encounters with the Chinese script directed efforts towards a perfect written language. Johannes Trithemius , in Steganographia and Polygraphia , attempted to show how all languages can be reduced to one. In the 17th century, interest in magical languages was continued by the Rosicrucians and alchemists (like John Dee and his Enochian ). Jakob Boehme in 1623 spoke of
8118-434: The Hieroglyphica of Horapollo , and first encounters with the Chinese script directed efforts towards a perfect written language. Johannes Trithemius , in Steganographia and Polygraphia , attempted to show how all languages can be reduced to one. In the 17th century, interest in magical languages was continued by the Rosicrucians and alchemists (like John Dee and his Enochian ). Jakob Boehme in 1623 spoke of
8241-534: The Enlightenment would ultimately lead to the Encyclopédie . Many of these 17th–18th centuries conlangs were pasigraphies , or purely written languages with no spoken form or a spoken form that would vary greatly according to the native language of the reader. Leibniz and the encyclopedists realized that it is impossible to organize human knowledge unequivocally in a tree diagram, and consequently to construct an
8364-426: The Enlightenment would ultimately lead to the Encyclopédie . Many of these 17th–18th centuries conlangs were pasigraphies , or purely written languages with no spoken form or a spoken form that would vary greatly according to the native language of the reader. Leibniz and the encyclopedists realized that it is impossible to organize human knowledge unequivocally in a tree diagram, and consequently to construct an
8487-667: The Esperantido Ido . The terms "planned", "constructed", "invented", "fictional", and "artificial" are used differently in some traditions. For example, few speakers of Interlingua consider their language artificial, since they assert that it has no invented content: Interlingua's vocabulary is taken from a small set of natural languages, and its grammar is based closely on these source languages, even including some degree of irregularity; its proponents prefer to describe its vocabulary and grammar as standardized rather than artificial or constructed. Similarly, Latino sine flexione (LsF)
8610-610: The Esperantido Ido . The terms "planned", "constructed", "invented", "fictional", and "artificial" are used differently in some traditions. For example, few speakers of Interlingua consider their language artificial, since they assert that it has no invented content: Interlingua's vocabulary is taken from a small set of natural languages, and its grammar is based closely on these source languages, even including some degree of irregularity; its proponents prefer to describe its vocabulary and grammar as standardized rather than artificial or constructed. Similarly, Latino sine flexione (LsF)
8733-708: The SAT , where they were used to test the applicant's ability to infer and apply grammatical rules. By the same token, a constructed language might also be used to restrict thought, as in George Orwell 's Newspeak , or to simplify thought, as in Toki Pona . However, linguists such as Steven Pinker argue that ideas exist independently of language. For example, in the book The Language Instinct , Pinker states that children spontaneously re-invent slang and even grammar with each generation. These linguists argue that attempts to control
8856-557: The SAT , where they were used to test the applicant's ability to infer and apply grammatical rules. By the same token, a constructed language might also be used to restrict thought, as in George Orwell 's Newspeak , or to simplify thought, as in Toki Pona . However, linguists such as Steven Pinker argue that ideas exist independently of language. For example, in the book The Language Instinct , Pinker states that children spontaneously re-invent slang and even grammar with each generation. These linguists argue that attempts to control
8979-473: The 1120th century (according to Shawn Bond) and for reasons unknown, Tékumel and its star system (Tékumel's two moons, Gayél and Káshi, its sun, Tuléng, and four other planets, Ülétl, Riruchél, Shíchel, and Zirúna) were cast out of our reality into a "pocket dimension" (known as a béthorm in Tsolyáni), in which there were no other star systems. One hypothesis is that this isolation happened through hostile action on
9102-429: The 1970s through the 1990s, such as Glossopoeic Quarterly , Taboo Jadoo , and The Journal of Planned Languages . The Conlang Mailing List was founded in 1991, and later split off an AUXLANG mailing list dedicated to international auxiliary languages. In the early to mid-1990s a few conlang-related zines were published as email or websites, such as Vortpunoj and Model Languages . The Conlang mailing list has developed
9225-429: The 1970s through the 1990s, such as Glossopoeic Quarterly , Taboo Jadoo , and The Journal of Planned Languages . The Conlang Mailing List was founded in 1991, and later split off an AUXLANG mailing list dedicated to international auxiliary languages. In the early to mid-1990s a few conlang-related zines were published as email or websites, such as Vortpunoj and Model Languages . The Conlang mailing list has developed
9348-467: The 20th century. A Princess of Mars (1912) by Edgar Rice Burroughs was possibly the first fiction of that century to feature a constructed language. J. R. R. Tolkien developed families of related fictional languages and discussed artistic languages publicly, giving a lecture entitled " A Secret Vice " in 1931 at a congress. (Orwell's Newspeak is considered a satire of an international auxiliary language rather than an artistic language proper.) By
9471-467: The 20th century. A Princess of Mars (1912) by Edgar Rice Burroughs was possibly the first fiction of that century to feature a constructed language. J. R. R. Tolkien developed families of related fictional languages and discussed artistic languages publicly, giving a lecture entitled " A Secret Vice " in 1931 at a congress. (Orwell's Newspeak is considered a satire of an international auxiliary language rather than an artistic language proper.) By
9594-655: The Ever-Glorious — a History of the Tsolyani Legions , The Tékumel Bestiary , and The Book of Ebon Bindings , a guide to the demonic beings that are known to the Tsolyáni, and a six volume series of booklets that details the armies of each of the Five Empires as well as surrounding states and the vast lands of the reptilian Shén. There have also been various wargames rules as well as small scale metal miniatures to represent
9717-521: The Rings ( Elvish ), Stargate SG-1 , Atlantis: The Lost Empire , Ar Tonelico ( Hymmnos ), Game of Thrones ( Dothraki language and Valyrian languages ), The Expanse , Avatar , Dune , and the Myst series of computer adventure games. The matter of whether or not a constructed language can be owned or protected by intellectual property laws, or if it would even be possible to enforce those laws,
9840-428: The Rings ( Elvish ), Stargate SG-1 , Atlantis: The Lost Empire , Ar Tonelico ( Hymmnos ), Game of Thrones ( Dothraki language and Valyrian languages ), The Expanse , Avatar , Dune , and the Myst series of computer adventure games. The matter of whether or not a constructed language can be owned or protected by intellectual property laws, or if it would even be possible to enforce those laws,
9963-584: The above categories. A logical language created for aesthetic reasons would also be classifiable as an artistic language; one created with philosophical motives could include being used as an auxiliary language. There are no rules, either inherent in the process of language construction or externally imposed, that would limit a constructed language to fitting only one of the above categories. A constructed language can have native speakers if young children learn it from parents who speak it fluently. According to Ethnologue , there are "200–2000 who speak Esperanto as
10086-584: The above categories. A logical language created for aesthetic reasons would also be classifiable as an artistic language; one created with philosophical motives could include being used as an auxiliary language. There are no rules, either inherent in the process of language construction or externally imposed, that would limit a constructed language to fitting only one of the above categories. A constructed language can have native speakers if young children learn it from parents who speak it fluently. According to Ethnologue , there are "200–2000 who speak Esperanto as
10209-536: The adjective artificial , as this term may be perceived as pejorative. Outside Esperanto culture , the term language planning means the prescriptions given to a natural language to standardize it; in this regard, even a "natural language" may be artificial in some respects, meaning some of its words have been crafted by conscious decision. Prescriptive grammars , which date to ancient times for classical languages such as Latin and Sanskrit , are rule-based codifications of natural languages, such codifications being
10332-511: The beginning of the first decade of the 21st century, it had become common for science fiction and fantasy works set in other worlds to feature constructed languages, or more commonly, an extremely limited but defined vocabulary which suggests the existence of a complete language, or whatever portions of the language are needed for the story. Constructed languages are a regular part of the genre, appearing in Star Wars , Star Trek , The Lord of
10455-461: The beginning of the first decade of the 21st century, it had become common for science fiction and fantasy works set in other worlds to feature constructed languages, or more commonly, an extremely limited but defined vocabulary which suggests the existence of a complete language, or whatever portions of the language are needed for the story. Constructed languages are a regular part of the genre, appearing in Star Wars , Star Trek , The Lord of
10578-407: The better-known follow-up, Little Wars ) to further explore and develop Tékumel. His "Thursday Night Groups" were amongst the first roleplaying sessions anywhere and provided what was, at the time, an unusually detailed week-by-week development of the setting. In 1975, TSR, Inc. , the publishers of Dungeons & Dragons , published Barker's roleplaying game and setting as a standalone game under
10701-429: The book's author, and preferably also fit with any personal names of fictional speakers of the language. An a priori (from Latin a priori , "from the former") constructed language is one whose features (including vocabulary, grammar, etc.) are not based on an existing language, and an a posteriori language is the opposite. This categorization, however, is not absolute, as many constructed languages may be called
10824-429: The book's author, and preferably also fit with any personal names of fictional speakers of the language. An a priori (from Latin a priori , "from the former") constructed language is one whose features (including vocabulary, grammar, etc.) are not based on an existing language, and an a posteriori language is the opposite. This categorization, however, is not absolute, as many constructed languages may be called
10947-429: The company can overcome production and transition problems and start putting out an item of higher production quality. Well worth looking at." Constructed language A constructed language (shortened to conlang ) is a language whose phonology , grammar , orthography , and vocabulary , instead of having developed naturally , are consciously devised for some purpose, which may include being devised for
11070-543: The crisis: mankind discovered it could now tap into ultraplanar energies that were seen as magical forces, the stars were gone from the sky, and dimensional nexuses were uncovered. Pacts with "demons" (inhabitants of dimensions near in n-dimensional space to Tékumel's pocket dimension) were made and a complex pantheon of "gods" (powerful extra-dimensional or multi-dimensional alien beings) discovered. Science began to stagnate until ultimately knowledge became grounded in traditions handed down from generations long ago. The belief that
11193-423: The early 20th century (e.g. Ro ), but most recent engineered languages have had more modest goals; some are limited to a specific field, like mathematical formalism or calculus (e.g. Lincos and programming languages ), others are designed for eliminating syntactical ambiguity (e.g., Loglan and Lojban ) or maximizing conciseness (e.g., Ithkuil ). Already in the Encyclopédie attention began to focus on
11316-423: The early 20th century (e.g. Ro ), but most recent engineered languages have had more modest goals; some are limited to a specific field, like mathematical formalism or calculus (e.g. Lincos and programming languages ), others are designed for eliminating syntactical ambiguity (e.g., Loglan and Lojban ) or maximizing conciseness (e.g., Ithkuil ). Already in the Encyclopédie attention began to focus on
11439-443: The fields of linguistics , cognitive science , and machine learning ; for artistic creation ; for fantasy role-playing games ; and for language games . Some people may also make constructed languages as a hobby , or in connection to worldbuilding . The expression planned language is sometimes used to indicate international auxiliary languages and other languages designed for actual use in human communication. Some prefer it to
11562-462: The first mention of the concept of a constructed language in literature. The earliest non-natural languages were considered less "constructed" than "super-natural", mystical, or divinely inspired. The Lingua Ignota , recorded in the 12th century by St. Hildegard of Bingen , is an example, and apparently the first entirely artificial language. It is a form of private mystical cant (see also Enochian ). An important example from Middle-Eastern culture
11685-462: The first mention of the concept of a constructed language in literature. The earliest non-natural languages were considered less "constructed" than "super-natural", mystical, or divinely inspired. The Lingua Ignota , recorded in the 12th century by St. Hildegard of Bingen , is an example, and apparently the first entirely artificial language. It is a form of private mystical cant (see also Enochian ). An important example from Middle-Eastern culture
11808-520: The game is driven to a large extent by a highly devoted, small number of enthusiasts, there have also been several non-commercially published rules as well as systems to adapt the Tékumel setting to other pre-existing, commercially available role playing rules including RuneQuest , GURPS , and third edition Dungeons & Dragons . Many of these are available on the internet. In 1984, DAW Books published Barker's Tékumel novel The Man of Gold . This
11931-442: The gaming materials and other writings focus particularly on these Five Empires (Tsolyánu in particular) which control much of the world's northern continent (only about an eighth of the planet's surface has published maps). Tsolyáni is one of several languages spoken on the world of Tékumel, and was the first conlang published as part of a role-playing game. Barker put great effort into the languages of Tékumel. Although Tsolyáni
12054-843: The human user, and optimized for efficient recognition by computer speech recognition algorithms. Artists may use language as a source of creativity in art, poetry, or calligraphy, or as a metaphor to address themes as cultural diversity and the vulnerability of the individual in a globalized world. Some people prefer however to take pleasure in constructing, crafting a language by a conscious decision for reasons of literary enjoyment or aesthetic reasons without any claim of usefulness. Such artistic languages begin to appear in Early Modern literature (in Pantagruel , and in Utopian contexts), but they only seem to gain notability as serious projects beginning in
12177-688: The human user, and optimized for efficient recognition by computer speech recognition algorithms. Artists may use language as a source of creativity in art, poetry, or calligraphy, or as a metaphor to address themes as cultural diversity and the vulnerability of the individual in a globalized world. Some people prefer however to take pleasure in constructing, crafting a language by a conscious decision for reasons of literary enjoyment or aesthetic reasons without any claim of usefulness. Such artistic languages begin to appear in Early Modern literature (in Pantagruel , and in Utopian contexts), but they only seem to gain notability as serious projects beginning in
12300-410: The legal consensus on ownership of languages remains uncertain. The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre claims ownership of Palawa kani , an attempted composite reconstruction of up to a dozen extinct Tasmanian indigenous languages, and has asked Misplaced Pages to remove its page on the project. However, there is no current legal backing for the claim. Various papers on constructed languages were published from
12423-410: The legal consensus on ownership of languages remains uncertain. The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre claims ownership of Palawa kani , an attempted composite reconstruction of up to a dozen extinct Tasmanian indigenous languages, and has asked Misplaced Pages to remove its page on the project. However, there is no current legal backing for the claim. Various papers on constructed languages were published from
12546-427: The majority of such fantasy settings, which draw primarily on European mythologies . The world of Tékumel, a fictional planet around star Nu Ophiuchi (a.k.a. Sinistra), was first settled by humans exploring the galaxy about 60,000 years in the future, along with several other alien species. Their extensive terraforming of the inhospitable environment, including changing the planet's orbit and rotation rate to create
12669-697: The number of women participating has increased over time. More recently founded online communities include the Zompist Bulletin Board (ZBB; since 2001) and the Conlanger Bulletin Board. Discussion on these forums includes presentation of members' conlangs and feedback from other members, discussion of natural languages, whether particular conlang features have natural language precedents, and how interesting features of natural languages can be repurposed for conlangs, posting of interesting short texts as translation challenges, and meta-discussion about
12792-566: The number of women participating has increased over time. More recently founded online communities include the Zompist Bulletin Board (ZBB; since 2001) and the Conlanger Bulletin Board. Discussion on these forums includes presentation of members' conlangs and feedback from other members, discussion of natural languages, whether particular conlang features have natural language precedents, and how interesting features of natural languages can be repurposed for conlangs, posting of interesting short texts as translation challenges, and meta-discussion about
12915-428: The part of an unknown party or group. Another is that the cosmic cataclysm was due to over-use of a faster than light drive which warped the fabric of space. No one knows, but the inhabitants of Tékumel, both human, native, and representatives of the other star-faring races, were now isolated and alone. The novels contain vague clues as to what might have happened. Severed from vital interplanetary trade routes (Tékumel
13038-447: The philosophy of conlanging, conlangers' purposes, and whether conlanging is an art or a hobby. Another 2001 survey by Patrick Jarrett showed an average age of 30.65, with the average time since starting to invent languages 11.83 years. A more recent thread on the ZBB showed that many conlangers spend a relatively small amount of time on any one conlang, moving from one project to another; about
13161-401: The philosophy of conlanging, conlangers' purposes, and whether conlanging is an art or a hobby. Another 2001 survey by Patrick Jarrett showed an average age of 30.65, with the average time since starting to invent languages 11.83 years. A more recent thread on the ZBB showed that many conlangers spend a relatively small amount of time on any one conlang, moving from one project to another; about
13284-527: The public authorities in Casandreia ... As for what this letter says, in my opinion not even the Pythian god could make sense of it." While the mechanisms of grammar suggested by classical philosophers were designed to explain existing languages ( Latin , Greek , and Sanskrit ), they were not used to construct new grammars. Roughly contemporary to Plato, in his descriptive grammar of Sanskrit, Pāṇini constructed
13407-425: The public authorities in Casandreia ... As for what this letter says, in my opinion not even the Pythian god could make sense of it." While the mechanisms of grammar suggested by classical philosophers were designed to explain existing languages ( Latin , Greek , and Sanskrit ), they were not used to construct new grammars. Roughly contemporary to Plato, in his descriptive grammar of Sanskrit, Pāṇini constructed
13530-463: The range of human thought through the reform of language would fail, as concepts like "freedom" will reappear in new words if the old words vanish. Proponents claim a particular language makes it easier to express and understand concepts in one area, and more difficult in others. An example can be taken from the way various programming languages make it easier to write certain kinds of programs and harder to write others. Another reason cited for using
13653-463: The range of human thought through the reform of language would fail, as concepts like "freedom" will reappear in new words if the old words vanish. Proponents claim a particular language makes it easier to express and understand concepts in one area, and more difficult in others. An example can be taken from the way various programming languages make it easier to write certain kinds of programs and harder to write others. Another reason cited for using
13776-488: The rights is legitimate—would be likely to sue individuals who publish material in said languages, especially if the author might profit from said material. Furthermore, comprehensive learning material for such constructed languages as High Valyrian and Klingon has been published and made freely accessible on the language-learning platform Duolingo —but those courses are licensed by the respective copyright holders. Because only a few such disputes have occurred thus far,
13899-488: The rights is legitimate—would be likely to sue individuals who publish material in said languages, especially if the author might profit from said material. Furthermore, comprehensive learning material for such constructed languages as High Valyrian and Klingon has been published and made freely accessible on the language-learning platform Duolingo —but those courses are licensed by the respective copyright holders. Because only a few such disputes have occurred thus far,
14022-477: The title of The Empire of the Petal Throne (a synonym for the Tsolyáni Empire), rather than as a "supplement" to the original D&D rules. Tékumel has spawned five professionally published roleplaying games over the course of the years: There have been a wide variety of materials of all sorts published over the years to further detail this world. As well as the language materials, these include Deeds of
14145-636: The translation of the Hebrew Bible into what he calls "Israeli". Esperanto as a living spoken language has evolved significantly from the prescriptive blueprint published in 1887, so that modern editions of the Fundamenta Krestomatio , a 1903 collection of early texts in the language, require many footnotes on the syntactic and lexical differences between early and modern Esperanto. Proponents of constructed languages often have many reasons for using them. The famous but disputed Sapir–Whorf hypothesis
14268-517: The translation of the Hebrew Bible into what he calls "Israeli". Esperanto as a living spoken language has evolved significantly from the prescriptive blueprint published in 1887, so that modern editions of the Fundamenta Krestomatio , a 1903 collection of early texts in the language, require many footnotes on the syntactic and lexical differences between early and modern Esperanto. Proponents of constructed languages often have many reasons for using them. The famous but disputed Sapir–Whorf hypothesis
14391-819: The universe was ultimately understandable slowly faded and a Time of Darkness descended over the planet. Much of Barker's writing concerns a time approximately 50,000 years after Tékumel has entered its pocket dimension. Five vast tradition-oriented civilizations occupy a large portion of the northern continent. These five human empires (Livyánu, Mu′ugalavyá, Salarvyá, Tsolyánu, Yán Kór), along with various non-human allies (Ahoggyá, Chíma, Hegléth, Hláka, Hlutrgú, Ninín, Páchi Léi, Pé Chói, Shén, Tinalíya) who are descended from other star faring races, vie to control resources, including other planar "magical powers" and ancient technology, as they vie for survival and supremacy among themselves as well as hostile and other non-human races (Hlǘss, Ssú, Hokún, Mihálli, Nyaggá, Urunén, Vléshga). Much of
14514-506: The various races and legions. Miniatures for the world were formerly produced in 28mm scale under license by Eureka Miniatures of Australia, but are now being made by a smaller, fan-driven company in Canada called The Tékumel Project. Other materials involving the setting include The Tomb Complex of Nereshánbo , A Jakállan Intrigue , The Tsolyáni Language , Qadardalikoi , The Armies of Tékumel , and EPT Miniatures . As interest in
14637-459: Was Volapük , proposed in 1879 by Johann Martin Schleyer ; within a decade, 283 Volapükist clubs were counted all over the globe. However, disagreements between Schleyer and some prominent users of the language led to schism, and by the mid-1890s it fell into obscurity, making way for Esperanto , proposed in 1887 by L. L. Zamenhof , and its descendants . Interlingua , the most recent auxlang to gain
14760-408: Was Volapük , proposed in 1879 by Johann Martin Schleyer ; within a decade, 283 Volapükist clubs were counted all over the globe. However, disagreements between Schleyer and some prominent users of the language led to schism, and by the mid-1890s it fell into obscurity, making way for Esperanto , proposed in 1887 by L. L. Zamenhof , and its descendants . Interlingua , the most recent auxlang to gain
14883-560: Was a project of a perfect language with which the infidels could be convinced of the truth of the Christian faith. It was basically an application of combinatorics on a given set of concepts. During the Renaissance , Lullian and Kabbalistic ideas were drawn upon in a magical context, resulting in cryptographic applications. Renaissance interest in Ancient Egypt , notably the discovery of
15006-400: Was a project of a perfect language with which the infidels could be convinced of the truth of the Christian faith. It was basically an application of combinatorics on a given set of concepts. During the Renaissance , Lullian and Kabbalistic ideas were drawn upon in a magical context, resulting in cryptographic applications. Renaissance interest in Ancient Egypt , notably the discovery of
15129-416: Was followed by Flamesong in 1985. In 2003, Zottola Publishing published three additional novels: Prince of Skulls , Lords of Tsámra , and A Death of Kings . In 2004, Zottola Publishing produced the two-volume set Mitlanyál , which deals with the Tsolyáni pantheon and provides much background regarding the Tsolyáni culture. The chronological order of the novels (as opposed to their order of publication)
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