Authors Who Created Entire Languages for Their Books (And You'll Want to Learn)

I can't think of anything more difficult in the world than inventing a new language for your book, as if it weren't difficult to write a book! But there are authors who love to go a step further and we, the readers, are the ones who end up benefiting from it.

Invented languages in literature not only enrich stories, but are also a window into the boundless creativity and imagination of their authors. These languages, built with dedication and care, are not mere tools to add exoticism, but true vehicles that They transport us to new worlds, where words have the power to create, destroy and connect with the depths of each fictional culture.

In this article, I am going to tell you about some of the most emblematic literary sagas and whose authors They have created their own languages, full of nuances and fascinating details. to give it that extra layer of depth.

From Tolkien's Elvish tongues to the magical dialects of Weis and Hickman, each of these languages offers us a unique insight into the world that surrounds it.

Join me to discover the stories behind these languages, their origin, and how their words are a reflection of the soul of the stories. Get ready to embark on a linguistic journey full of magic and adventure!

The Lord of the Rings – J.R.R. Tolkien

Languages: Elvish (Quenya, Sindarin), Khuzdul (language of the Dwarves), and some others.

Tolkien was a philologist and created numerous languages with complete grammars, the most notable being the Elvish languages. Quenya and Sindarin, the two main Elvish languages, were meticulously designed with complete grammars, extensive vocabularies, and their own writing systems, such as the Tengwar.

Tolkien drew inspiration from languages such as Finnish and Welsh, and spent decades perfecting his creations. In addition, Their languages were designed to reflect the history and culture of the people who spoke them., which is evident in the use of terms and the structure of the words. Some interesting facts include that Quenya is inspired by Latin and Finnish, while Sindarin takes elements from Welsh.

Examples of words in Quenya:

«Aiya" (greeting), "Names" (bye bye), "Meldonya» (my dear friend), «Alcarinqua» (glorious) and «Elendil» (star lover).

Tolkien even developed poetry in these languages, such as the famous poem "Namárië", which Galadriel recites in the work, and is an example of the detail and dedication he put into his linguistic creations.

A Song of Ice and Fire – George R.R. Martin

Languages: High Valyrian, Dothraki.

Although Martin created some words and phrases, The languages were developed extensively for the television series game of Thrones by linguist David J. PetersonHigh Valyrian is presented as a prestigious language, similar to Latin in medieval Europe, while Dothraki is the language of a nomadic and warlike culture. And more aggressive, by the way.

Peterson created a grammatical system and thousands of words for both languages, making it possible for the characters to carry on full conversations on screen. The Dothraki is designed to sound loud and harsh., reflecting the martial culture of the Dothraki, while High Valyrian is more elegant and associated with high society and Valyria's glorious past.

Some examples of Dothraki:

«Athjahakar" (pride), "Haji" (end), "Kash" (after), "Vezhof» (mount) and «Another year has passed» (you are the moon of my life).

High Valyrian, on the other hand, is characterized by its complex verbal structures and its use in important ceremonies, being an example of how the language ends up affecting behavior in the social stratum in which it is used.

The Wheel of Time – Robert Jordan

Languages: The Ancient Language.

The Old Speech is an artificial language with its own characteristics that is used in the saga, although it is not as fully developed as Tolkien's languages. This language is used mainly in spells and ancient quotes., giving an air of mystery to the universe of The Wheel of Time.

The Old Language is presented as a relic of the past, full of history and power, and only certain scholarly characters or those with access to ancient knowledge can understand it. Although It is not a functional language in terms of complete grammar., has a set of phrases that are used at key moments in the story.

Examples of this Ancient Language:

«Carai in Caldazar» (for the honour of the Red Rose), «Aunt my aven Moridin isainde vadin» (the path of the brave leads to fire), «Aes Sedai» (servants of all), «Daes Dae'mar» (the Great Game) and «Ta'veren» (people around whom the Wheel of Time weaves reality).

These lines not only add depth to the universe, but also convey the importance of history and destiny in Jordan's narrative.

Chronicles of Belgarath – David Eddings

Languages: Algaria, Marag and others.

David Eddings He invented words and expressions for the different peoples of his world, although the languages are not as developed as some of the other examples on the list. Rather than creating entire languages, Eddings focused on giving each culture a distinctive identity through its unique idioms and expressions.

This allowed him to enrich his world without having to develop complex grammars.Each culture in her novels has a way of speaking and expressing itself that reflects its history and values, such as the ferocity of the Algarians or the sophistication of the Tolnedrans.

Examples of words and phrases Algaria

«Cherek» (natives of the Cherek kingdom), «Marag» (name of an extinct tribe), «Tolnedra» (name of the empire), «Algaria» (name of a region), and «Mallorea» (name of the eastern continent).

Eddings also used dialect variations and speech patterns to give a sense of authenticity to his characters, making each recognizable even without a direct description.

Eragon (The Legacy) – Christopher Paolini

Languages: The Ancient Language.

Paolini created the Old Tongue based on elements from several languages, including Old Norse and Celtic, although it is not a fully functional language. In the saga, the Old Tongue plays a central role, as it is the language of magic, and speaking words in it can unleash powerful spells.

Paolini looked to Old English and Scandinavian languages for inspiration to give it an ancient and mystical feel. In the story, the Old Tongue is inseparable from the concept of magic, implying that truth and words are linked: lying in this language is impossible.

Some examples of Ancient Language:

«Brisingr» (fire), «Skölir» (shield), «Thorta» (open), «Svit-kona» (witch) and «Gánga» (go).

The importance of this language in the plot highlights how knowledge of language can be a powerful weapon, and how learning the Ancient Language also represents the growth of the protagonist.

If you want, Here I leave you a complete dictionary to learn the ancient language of Eragon.

Dune – Frank Herbert

Languages: Chakobsa, Galach.

Without a doubt one of my favorites… Herbert introduced words and phrases in several fictional languages such as Chakobsa, and He also adapted terms from existing languages, such as Arabic, to give linguistic richness to the saga.Chakobsa is known as the “hunting language” and has roots in ancient Earth languages.

It is a secret language steeped in tradition, used by the Fremen and their ancestors. Galach, on the other hand, is a kind of lingua franca used in the Dune universe, facilitating communication between the various peoples of the empireHerbert blended elements from real cultures to lend authenticity to his linguistic creations, which contributed to the sense of depth and realism of the Dune universe.

Examples of Chakobsa:

«Shai-Hulud» (sandworm), «Muad'Dib» (name of a desert mouse and symbol), «Lisan al–Gaib» (voice from outside), «Kwisatz Haderach» (the one who can be in many places at once), and «Sardaukar» (elite troops).

These words not only name important elements, but They also reflect the complex interaction between culture, religion and power. in the Dune universe. An entire world at the disposal of the language.

Tea I leave a section on Reddit where they teach how to speak the language and a scene in which the protagonist of Dune He delivers an absolutely memorable speech that will remain as an example of the strength of the Chakobsa.

Terramar – Ursula K. Le Guin

Language: Ancient Language of Earthsea.

In the books, Le Guin created a magical language known as the Old Tongue, which has properties that grant power to those who use it correctly. This language is closely linked to the true name of things., and knowing the true name of something gives power over it.

Le Guin's inspiration comes from her interest in anthropology and ancient cultures. In the world of Earthsea, Wizards and those who possess knowledge use the Ancient Language to manipulate reality., since true names reveal the essence of things.

Some examples of the Ancient Language

«Ged» (name of the protagonist), «Sega" (water), "Kebbo" (bone), "Morred» (name of an ancient king) and «Kargish» (related to the inhabitants of Kargad).

The Old Language symbolizes respect and deep understanding of the natural world, and its use in narrative highlights the balance and responsibility that must be taken by those who possess power.

The Death Gate Cycle – Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

Languages: Patryn and Sartan.

Weis and Hickman developed certain magical languages in the series, used by the different groups of characters. The languages of the Patryn and the Sartan They are essential to perform your spells, and each rune has a particular meaning, similar to a magical language.

The Patryns They use a system of runes tattooed on their bodies which allows them to cast various spells, while the Sartan chant their spells. The authors did not develop a fully functional language, but they did create a set of symbols and words with magical meanings that reflect the dual nature of both races.

Examples of the Patryn language:

«Kleitus" (close), "Dredge" (throw), "Abarach» (name of one of the worlds), «Nexis» (meeting point) and «Vortex» (portal).

The difference in how the Patryn and Sartan use magic reflects their different philosophies and approaches to power and control, which is a recurring theme in the series.

The Stormlight Archive – Brandon Sanderson

Languages: Alethi and the Ancient Language.

In this saga, Sanderson includes several fictional languages that enrich the culture of the different nations of the Cosmere. Alethi is the predominant language in Roshar., and Sanderson uses it to give cultural depth to his characters and societies.

In addition, the Ancient Language is used in ancient inscriptions and textsSanderson has developed phrases and terms to give authenticity to this universe, creating the impression of a rich and unified story.

The Alethi, for example, reflects the hierarchies and formalities of society in Roshar, while other languages, such as those of the Parshendi, add layers of complexity to the saga's central conflict.

Alethi Examples:

«Shash» (hazard symbol), «Kaladin» (name of a main character), «Lighteyes» (light eyes, a social class), «Stormfather» (father of storms) and «Spren» (spirits linked to emotions and natural phenomena).

The languages that give life to literary worlds

Each of these languages shows us that words have the power to build worlds, to unite readers and to make literary universes feel alive and tangible. When authors create a language, they not only add an interesting detail to the story, but they also allow us to experience firsthand the cultures, values, and peculiarities of the characters. that inhabit their worlds.

The invented languages are a testament to the authors' commitment to creating immersive, detailed worlds. From Tolkien's painstaking work to the collaboration between George RR Martin and David J. Peterson, these languages provide a depth that enriches our experiences as readers.

They invite us to go beyond printed words, to discover new ways of communicating and to dream of worlds that, although fictitious, seem to come to life every time we speak their words.

Do you know any other fictional languages that surprised you? Tell us in the comments and let's continue exploring the fascinating world of invented languages in literature together!