The Art Of Language Invention

by David J. Peterson
The Art Of Language Invention cover
Good Books rating 4.62
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £17.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 1795
  • Added: 2025-10-10
  • Updated: 2025-10-10
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
reddit.com · Unknown · 2025-10-17
excellent 4.50

The book is praised for its comprehensive guide to language creation, making it accessible and engaging for both beginners and experts. It is noted for its practical advice and the author's expertise, though some find the later chapters less engaging.

The Art of Language Invention is highly recommended for its thorough and accessible approach to creating languages. The book is filled with practical advice and insights from the author's extensive experience, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in linguistics or world-building. While the first half of the book is particularly engaging and informative, some readers feel that the later chapters become less captivating. Overall, it's a must-read for those passionate about language creation, offering a blend of theory and hands-on exercises that cater to both beginners and seasoned language creators.

Quick quotes

    The book is a comprehensive guide to language creation, making it accessible and engaging for both beginners and experts.

    It's a must-read for those passionate about language creation, offering a blend of theory and hands-on exercises.

    The first half of the book is particularly engaging and informative, though the later chapters become less captivating.

kirkusreviews.com · Unknown · 2025-10-17
excellent 4.50

The Art of Language Invention is a comprehensive guide to creating languages, offering practical advice and insights into the process. It is praised for its accessibility and usefulness for both beginners and experienced language creators.

The Art of Language Invention is a well-structured and informative book that delves into the art and science of language creation. It provides a step-by-step approach to building a language, covering everything from basic phonetics to complex grammar rules. The book is particularly useful for those interested in world-building for fiction, as it offers practical tips and real-world examples. The author's expertise shines through, making the subject matter accessible and engaging. While some may find the technical aspects challenging, the book's clear explanations and helpful exercises make it a valuable resource for anyone interested in linguistics or creative writing.

Quick quotes

    The Art of Language Invention is a must-read for anyone interested in the craft of language creation.

    It offers a comprehensive guide to building a language from scratch, making it an invaluable resource for writers and linguists alike.

    The book's practical advice and real-world examples make it a standout in the field.

breathesbooks.com · Unknown · 2017-01-01
excellent 4.50

The Art of Language Invention by David J. Peterson is a comprehensive guide to conlanging, suitable for both beginners and those looking to refresh their linguistic knowledge. The book covers sounds, words, evolution, and writing systems, making it accessible and engaging with anecdotes from popular culture.

The Art of Language Invention by David J. Peterson is a delightful and informative read for anyone interested in language creation or linguistics. The book is structured into four main sections: sounds, words, evolution, and writing systems, providing a thorough introduction to conlanging. Peterson's expertise shines through as he explains complex linguistic concepts in an accessible manner, using examples from both natural and constructed languages. The inclusion of anecdotes from shows like Game of Thrones and Defiance makes the book engaging and relatable, even for those who may not be familiar with all the linguistic details. Peterson's candid advice and personal insights, such as his dislike for verbs and his humorous take on macrons, add a unique and entertaining touch to the book. Overall, this book is a fantastic resource for linguists and language enthusiasts alike, offering both practical guidance and a deeper appreciation for the art of language invention.

Quick quotes

    Nobody cares about macrons! They’re just crazy little vowel hats that the poor vowels don’t even want to wear. Set them free, I say!” (p. 207)

    I love the inclusion of writing systems - in more traditional linguistics books can feel oddly tacked on, but it makes complete sense in this book.

    Peterson’s conlanging is grounded in an understanding of how natural languages work, although there are some great tangents on non-human language.

superlinguo.com · Unknown · 2015-10-01
brilliant 5.00

The Art of Language Invention is a captivating guide for language enthusiasts, offering insights into the creation of languages for popular media. The book provides a comprehensive overview of language construction, from phonology to grammar, and includes behind-the-scenes stories of creating languages like Dothraki for Game of Thrones. It's a must-read for anyone interested in linguistics and world-building.

The Art of Language Invention is a treasure trove for language lovers and aspiring conlangers. David J. Peterson, known for his work on languages like Dothraki and High Valyrian, shares his expertise and passion for language creation. The book delves into the intricate process of constructing languages, covering phonology, morphology, grammar, and writing systems. Peterson's unique perspective and extensive knowledge of various languages make the book both educational and engaging. He provides detailed examples of how he developed languages for popular TV shows and movies, offering a glimpse into the creative process behind some of the most famous constructed languages. The book also includes a phrasebook, allowing readers to start speaking some of Peterson's created languages. Whether you're a linguistics enthusiast or a writer looking to build your own world, this book is an invaluable resource.

Quick quotes

    If you are another language nerd, you will find The Art of Language Invention absolutely irresistible.

    Peterson's happy to do all that. Judging from the examples he gives here, he has a good working knowledge of at least English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Latin, Swedish, Russian, Finnish, Mandarin, Arabic, Hindi, Japanese, Hausa, Georgian and ASL, plus bits and pieces of several dozen more languages.

    If you want to know how a true master craftsman works, get The Art of Language Invention now.

Appears in Lists