Language Creation Society

[podcast]http://conlang.org/podcast/LCS_Podcast-014-Ball.mp3[/podcast] David interviews Doug Ball about his conlang Skerre, its history, and his career in linguistics. .mp3 recording | Dr. Doug Ball’s Faculty Page | Skerre Homepage Doug is the best (and longest-tenured) conlanging friend I’ve got. I’ve known him ever since I started conlanging in 2000, and we’ve been corresponding regularly since 2003, when we happened to run into each other at a reception for prospective graduate students at UCSD. It’s rare enough to meet someone who conlangs. But someone who (at the time) was also entering grad. school for linguistics and is interested in music and sports (that latter is the kicker, of course)? Doug and I may be among the select few who would be equally happy and at home discussing applicatives, time signatures, and whether or not Randy Moss is really retired (I say no, by the way [and I also say that beyond Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona’s receiving corps looks to be in pretty sorry shape (just sayin’)]). I think it was only a matter of time before Doug and I bumped into one another. By the way, you did hear (and read) right. Doug conceived of Skerre at a summer camp held at what is now Truman State University. At the time of this interview, Doug had just finished his dissertation at Stanford (hiss!), and had just entered the job market. He applied to a number of universities, and it just so happened that he accepted a job in the linguistics department at Truman State University. I’d like to say that this interview helped to contribute to that hiring, but, well…it’s being published right now. But if you believe in time travel… If you haven’t taken a look at it, I recommend going to Doug’s page on Skerre. Though my information may be more up-to-date than what’s on the website, I maintain that Skerre’s one of the best naturalistic conlangs on the net. The site is detailed (if not completely up-to-date), and for an in-depth look at some of the syntax of Skerre, you can watch Doug’s LCC1 talk. I’ve always thought Skerre deserved a full treatment—and perhaps a print reference grammar. We’ll see what happens with it in the future. Audio edited by Jeff Burke; music by Gary Shannon.

[podcast]http://conlang.org/podcast/LCS_Podcast-013-Wells-Jensen.mp3[/podcast] David and Sai interview Sheri Wells-Jensen about her work in the world of conlanging, and her work as a linguist at Bowling Green State University. .mp3 recording | Dr. Wells-Jensen’s Webpage Talk about a really, really good idea. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could google a person and hear what they sounded like? Ooh! Or even better! Take an audio sample of someone’s voice, play it into your computer’s microphone, and have it find that person! I found this aspect of her work the most interesting, and hope it comes to fruition. If you want to take a look at what she has so far, go to VoxDB.org. For those of you who always wanted to do a little conlanging as part of your college degree, you can check out the webpage accompanying Sheri’s class here. And, of course, if you’re shopping for undergraduate institutions, you might consider Bowling Green State University. There are, by the way, some wonderful sounding conlangs described by Sheri in this interview. Several bits of the languages created by her students are incorporated into the website linked to above. There are a number of “fun” languages (e.g. the language of vending machines) that sound like they’re worth following up on. In addition to applying for the Dothraki job, Sheri and I also share a connection to Speculative Grammarian. She’s penned several articles for SpecGram (you can see them here), including proposing a Braille orthography for thlIngan Hol. In a nutshell, anything Sheri’s put her name to is worth taking a look at. We had a fun time talking with her, and I look forward to being able to talk to her again. Audio edited by Jeff Burke; music by Gary Shannon.

In this engaging conversation, Paul Varkuza, creator of the conlang Varkuzan, discusses how his synesthesia shaped the language's unique design. He explores the significance of names in identity and the philosophical challenges of creating constructed languages. Paul delves into the relationship between prime numbers and language structure, revealing their emotional connections. He also shares personal experiences of synesthesia and its impact on understanding letters and colors, inviting listeners to reflect on the intricate intertwining of language and perception.

Jeff Burke, creator of the Proto Central Mountain languages and author of 'The Spirit-Weaver,' delves into his 15-year journey of language creation. He explores the linguistic evolution of the fictional continent Deseria, emphasizing its Native American cultural ties. Jeff discusses the interplay of constructed languages in storytelling, the intricacies of copyright in conlangs, and critiques modern fantasy languages. Additionally, he reflects on his experiences at the Language Creation Conference, highlighting the vibrant community of creators.

Paul Frommer shares his fascinating journey of creating the Na’vi language for Avatar. He recounts funny moments from the film set, including urgent language requests from the crew. The discussion also touches on the growth of the Na’vi fan community and Dr. Frommer’s ongoing interaction with fans. Additionally, they explore the creative world of alien conlangs, featuring unique languages like KÄ“len, which intriguingly lacks verbs, showcasing the diversity and innovation in constructed languages.

After a six-month hiatus, the speaker shares the challenges plaguing the podcast's production. They reveal that an abundance of content awaits release but lack the necessary audio editing skills to polish it all. Listeners are encouraged to step in and help with editing tasks, or support the show through donations. The excitement of upcoming interviews adds a dash of anticipation as the team seeks to revive their creative journey.