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Conlangery Podcast

Madeline James on Conlanging for Writing

Feb 17, 2025
Madeline James, an author and creator of the Madeline James Writes channel, shares her journey into conlanging for storytelling. She discusses the art of crafting distinctive naming conventions and creating immersive spell languages while balancing creativity with structure. Madeline delves into the challenges of generating unique names that reflect cultural contexts and the importance of world-building in enhancing narrative flow. She also emphasizes the value of collaboration between authors and conlangers, along with resources for writers looking to dive into this intriguing craft.
01:05:40

Episode guests

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Quick takeaways

  • Creating naming conventions rooted in real-world languages enhances the authenticity and immersive quality of fantasy worlds.
  • Authors can tailor naming languages based on narrative needs, employing phonetic rules that reflect cultural identities and significance.

Deep dives

The Importance of Naming Languages in World Building

Creating a consistent naming convention is fundamental in constructing believable fantasy worlds. By drawing inspiration from real-world languages, authors can develop culturally rich names that enhance immersion for the reader. This process often involves analyzing phonology and structure to ensure names are distinctive and fit the fictional culture. Writers who prioritize thoughtful naming can avoid anachronisms, like modern names in medieval settings, thereby enhancing the authenticity of their fictional worlds.

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