Languages shape our reality, and in the world of fiction, they create new ones. From elfin tongues to alien dialects, fictional languages have become a cornerstone of world-building in literature, movies, and television. Ranging from poetic to utilitarian, these languages enrich the stories they tell and invite us to explore the boundaries of human imagination.
Here’s a list of the 10 most fascinating constructed languages, their history, and the curious ways they interact with our own.
Elvish from The Lord of the Rings series was created by author J.R.R. Tolkien, a philologist who drew inspiration from Finnish and Welsh. The two Elvish dialects, Quenya and Sindarin, are fully functional languages with their own grammar and vocabulary. Fans have even translated poetry and religious texts into Quenya and Sindarin, revealing the depth of these languages.
Klingon, developed by linguist Marc Okrand for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, is a warrior’s language known for its guttural sounds and complex structure. Fans have translated Shakespeare’s Hamlet and even parts of the Bible into Klingon, showcasing the language’s adaptability and the dedication of its enthusiasts.
Dothraki, crafted by David J. Peterson for Game of Thrones, draws from languages like Turkish and Estonian, and echoes Turkish syntax in words like athdrivar (“courage”). Its robustness as a functional language is evident as fans continue to translate modern phrases and poems into Dothraki.
High Valyrian, another creation by Peterson for Game of Thrones, is reminiscent of Latin and features complex noun cases and verb forms. The evolution of Valyrian into various dialects mirrors the development of Romance languages, adding depth to the fictional world. Peterson’s translations of modern phrases into High Valyrian, including wedding vows and songs, demonstrate the language’s versatility and its place as a living language in the minds of fans.
Na’vi, created by Paul Frommer for Avatar, is rich in grammatical rules and phonetic elegance. The translation of the film’s theme song, “I See You,” into Na’vi demonstrates the language’s poetic capabilities. Fans have also translated excerpts from the Bible into Na’vi, highlighting the language’s adaptability.
Huttese, the language of Jabba the Hutt in Star Wars, was created by Ben Burtt using elements from Quechua and Filipino, resulting in an alien yet familiar sound. Some Huttese words are direct borrowings from these languages, making it an interesting blend of real and fictional elements. The language continues to be used across other Star Wars media, including comics and video games.
Minionese, a playful mix of various real-world languages, was created by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud for Despicable Me. Despite its nonsensical nature, Minionese includes recognizable words from languages like Spanish and Italian, making it a delightful puzzle for fans and highlighting the lightheartedness of the Minions.
Parseltongue, the snake language in Harry Potter, is associated with dark magic. While not fully developed, some Parseltongue phrases can be phonetically deciphered into English, adding a layer of intrigue to its use. Fans have speculated on the structure of Parseltongue, attempting to reconstruct it from the limited phrases provided in the series.
Newspeak, from George Orwell’s 1984, is a language designed to limit freedom of thought by reducing linguistic complexity. The concept of Newspeak has been applied in real-world discussions about political language and propaganda. Fans have even translated real-world political texts into Newspeak, emphasizing the dystopian nature of Orwell’s creation and its relevance to contemporary society.
Atlantean, developed by Marc Okrand for Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire, was designed as a proto-language, reflecting the ancient roots of many real-world languages. Atlantean’s structure bears resemblance to early Indo-European languages, making it a fascinating linguistic creation.
