Languages are a fascinating and wonderful tool that allow us to communicate, express ideas, and create imaginary worlds. Throughout history, humanity has created thousands of languages, each with its own rules, grammar, vocabulary, accent, and melody. But have you ever imagined what it would be like to create a language from scratch? Continue with us on this journey to linguistic creativity and learn about 3 languages invented from scratch.
In this article, we will embark on a journey through three invented languages: Esperanto, Toki Pona and Dothraki. We will discover their origins, their unique characteristics and how they have managed to conquer thousands of speakers around the world.
- Esperanto: a dream of global unity
In 1887, Ludwik Zamenhof, a Polish ophtalmologist, dreamed of a utopian world in which language barriers did not exist. Thus, was born Esperanto, an artificial language created with the aim of facilitating communication between people from different cultures. Based on Latin and Germanic roots, this language is characterized by its simple and regular grammar, extensive vocabulary, and vibrant community of speakers. It is important to note that Esperanto is not an official language in any country, despite the fact that there were attempts to implement it as such in the microstate of the Esperanto Republic of the Island of Roses, which was located off the Adriatic coast of Italy, in 1968.
- Toki pona: simplicity as a philosophy
In 1979, Sonja Lang, a Canadian linguist, created the toki pona as a reaction to the complexity of the modern world. This minimalist language has only 120 basic words, which are combined to express much more complex ideas. The philosophy of the toki pona is based on simplicity, clarity and harmony with nature. This is considered by its author as a minimalist language based on what the creator herself defines as “the good things in life”. The toki pona consists of 14 phonemes and about 120 words. According to Sonja Lang, this language does not seek to be an international auxiliary language, but a “yoga for the mind” configured in the foundations of Taoist philosophy.
- Dothraki: The Language of Warriors on Horseback
If you love the Game of Thrones series, you’ve probably heard of Dothraki. This fictional language, created by linguist David J. Peterson, is spoken by the Dothraki nomads in the epic saga. With complex grammar and a vocabulary rich in war metaphors, this language has captivated thousands of followers who seek to learn it to immerse themselves even more in the universe of Westeros.
Beyond Invention: A Cultural Legacy
These three invented languages are just a few examples of human creativity in the linguistic field. Each of them has their own history, their own community and their own contribution to the world of languages. Learning and informing yourself about an invented language not only opens the doors to a new system of communication, but also allows you to get to know different cultures, expand your mind and challenge the limits of creativity.
Do you dare to embark on the adventure of learning an invented language? The possibilities are endless!