How to Create a Language

Designed specifically for class use, this text guides students through developing their own full, working constructed language. It introduces basic concepts and the decisions students need to make about their conlang's speakers and world, before walking them through the process of conlanging in incremental stages-from selecting a language's sounds to choices about its grammar. It includes hundreds of examples from natural and constructed languages, as well as over seventy end-of-chapter exercises that allow students to apply concepts to an in-progress conlang and guide them in developing their own conlang. Ideal for undergraduates, the text is also suitable for more advanced students through the inclusion of clearly highlighted sections containing advanced material and optional conlang challenges. Instructor resources include an interactive slideshow for selecting stress patterns, additional exercises and a sample syllabus, and student resources include a 'select-a-feature' conlang adventure and an exercise answer guide.

• Breaks down the process of creating a language into incremental stages, helping students to create language forms more efficiently and build on their work
• Includes complete demonstrations showing precisely how to create each element of a language
• Contains examples from both natural and constructed languages
• Provides exercises for both testing understanding and helping students make decisions regarding their own conlang
• Includes defined linguistics terms in every chapter, bolded key words, and a glossary, assuming no prior linguistics knowledge
• Incorporates material for more advanced students through clearly highlighted sections and optional conlang challenges