Conlanging can be overwhelming for even the most experienced conlangers—especially in the beginning stages of a new project when swirling swarms of ideas create a flurry of possibilities. I break the process down into daily prompts for a yearlong experience. One year, one conlang. Join me in making this a Conlang Year!
Goal: Create glyph shapes | Create forms for translation Note: This is the final day reserved for creating shapes or forms! Tip: Remember you’re doing one or the other during these days! Work focus: Create/Make/List It’s the final day of this five-day streak of creating things, so use your time to wrap up work on…
Goal: Create glyph shapes | Create forms for translation Note: This is the fourth of five days reserved for creating things you need. Tip: Remember you’re doing one or the other during these days! Work focus: Create/Make/List It’s day four of your creative work! Continue what you have been working on: creating glyph shapes OR…
Goal: Create glyph shapes | Create forms for translation Note: This is the third of five days reserved for creating things you need. Tip: Remember you’re doing one or the other during these days! Work focus: Create/Make/List It’s day three of your creative work! Continue what you have been working on: creating glyph shapes OR…
Goal: Create glyph shapes | Create forms for translation Note: This is the second of five days reserved for creating things you need. Tip: Remember you’re doing one or the other during these days! Work focus: Create/Make/List It’s day two of your creative work! Continue what you started yesterday and keep working through more glyph…
Goal: Create glyph shapes | Create forms for translation Note: This is the first of five days reserved for creating things you need. Tip: Remember you’re doing one or the other during these days! Work focus: Create/Make/List If you are creating glyphs for a writing system, your goal for today and the next four days…
Goal: Identify glyph sources | Identify translation needs Note: Divide the work you need to do in five stages for the upcoming days. Tip: Today is an organizational set-up day for a series of creative work days. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure If you are creating a writing system, start a list of ideas for glyph sources.…
Goal: Make a plan for your writing system | Set up for translation Note: Make sure the type of writing system works well with your conlang’s sound system. Tip: If you’re working on translation, set the text up in a way that’s helpful to you. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure The goals over the next few weeks…
Goal: Write an original text appropriate for your speakers and their world Note: You will be translating this text into your language. Tip: If you are developing a writing system, keep this text shorter. Work focus: Learn/Brainstorm/Try Most of the prompts this month target two major tasks: a writing system (if you are developing one)…
Goal: List any features that shift for modality or communication situation Note: Modality refers to the method of transmission while communication situation reflects purpose. Tip: Use this as a guide for yourself as you begin creating longer pieces. Work focus: Organize/Plan/Structure Spend time today making a list, table, or other guide that highlights the features…
Goal: Consider if you want to create storytelling-specific features Note: Genre-specific features can include grammar, word choice, and text structure. Tip: These features can reflect how your speakers share stories. Work focus: Learn/Brainstorm/Try Consider if you want to create features in your language that are specific to storytelling, such as a narrative tense that only…
