Getting Started

Getting started creating a language

  To start creating a language, there is a certain order you must follow to create one. You can't just start making up words, assign them meaning, and be done. A real language has a basic set of things, which are highly, HIGHLY customizable.

 Now, the very first step one must do when first even thinking of creating a language is ask yourself the question, "What is the purpose of the language I am creating?"

 there are multiple types of conlangs, and depending on what type of conlang ou are creating, the language will sound a certain way. Look at my page on the different types of conlangs before you even start creating your language.

 When creating a language, you should be organized. Below is the order I use when creating a language. I marker an asterisk (*) by the steps that must be in that position. If it doesn't have an asterisk by it, you can move it to a different part in the timeline to your liking:

1.) Create the sounds*

   Every language has a set of sounds. To get started, you're going to want to pick some, otherwise you won't have a language (unless you want a written only language of course). The IPA, or International Phonetic Alphabet, is a chart of all the possible sounds a human can make. Check it out, and pick out the sounds you like!

2.) Create an Orthography

  The next step after creating the sounds is making the orthography, or writing system. This step is actually not needed, but most languages have a writing system. The only reason you shouldn't create a writing system for your language is if the civilization that is supposed to be using it is not advanced enough to have one. For exampe, if your writing a novel, and the neanderthals in your book speak a language, but are not smart enough to have a writing system, this is an exception.

3.) Start Creating the Grammar~

   You don't have to do this step here, but it's what I use, and I think it's a very efficient way to go at things. I put the tilde (~) next to this step because it is neccessary to do this step here, but it's not 100%  neccessary. If you really wanted to start making the lexicon before doing the grammar, that is a plausible step, but it's either that, or this. Remember, I have pages (or will create them if they're not their yet) that will guide you on each of step of creating a language. Don't just start adding grammar rules. Read my page on picking sounds, creating grammar, etc.

4.) Create lexicon~

   This step can be the easiest, or the hardest depending on multiple factors. Again, check my page on creating a lexicon for guidance. You want to make sure you get the neccessary words into the language, then add words you think will be useful and so on.

5.) Start translating texts into your language*

   Once you've created a lexicon, grammar, and writing system, you can now start to translate things into your language. My page on this topic lists some commonly translated texts for your language, as well as some things I made up that may have a unique twist in the translation!

 Now that you have a basic idea of how to go about creating your language, check out my other pages mentioned in this article, and get started!