Do You Speak Conlang? - Imaginary Worlds

What this episode covers

Sci-fi fantasy worlds often use constructed languages (or conlangs for short) as a worldbuilding tool that can make us believe the characters come from an ancient or alien culture. But art can take on a life of its own once it's released into the world -- and so do languages. Marc Okrand, inventor of the Klingon language, and David J. Peterson, inventor of the Dothraki language and The 100's Trigedasleng, talk about the surprises they encountered. I also talk with Lawrence M. Schoen of the Klingon Language Institute and Robyn Stewart, the language consultant for Star Trek: Discovery, about why the Klingon culture spilled over into the real world. And Jen Usellis -- a.k.a. Klingon Pop Warrior -- will give you a serious case of earworms, and we're not talking about the mind-controlling earworms from Star Trek II. To hear Matt Fiddler's episode from Very Bad Words on cursing in conlangs:http://www.verybadwords.com/shows/constructed-curses-in-sci-fi-fantasy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

173 - The Gambler

Jun 1, 2026 ·47m

Remember The Magic - MWRF Part 5 w Asha Frost

May 28, 2026 ·35m

Teachings Of Ode'miin Giizis The Strawberry Moon - MWRF Part 4 w Jenn Luxmore-Begin

May 21, 2026 ·38m

172 - Castellan

May 18, 2026 ·38m

Explicit

Turn Reconciliation Into Action With Elaine Kicknosway - MWRF2026 Part 3

May 14, 2026 ·53m

Na'kuset, Truth-Telling, and the Work of Witness - Let's Have Sacred Fires Everywhere

May 7, 2026 ·32m

Similar Podcasts

The Lunatic Fringe Podcast The Pilot Step into the void with The Pilot from Blue Skies Magazine as he talks to some of the worlds premiere as well as lesser known extreme air sports athletes to get their take on living life to the fullest, their paths along the “Lunatic Fringe” and how they fit into the mainstream world while living life on the dark side. Explicit Time To Show Up Nathalie Nahai and Dr Aaron Balick Welcome to Time To Show Up, a unique podcast and video series that ventures behind the scenes of professional success, to explore how we can deploy our deepest values into our professional lives.Hosted by best-selling author, Nathalie Nahai, and renowned Psychotherapist, Dr Aaron Balick, we interview professionals from the worlds of music, marketing, literature and beyond, to investigate how they have manifested their visions at work and overcome significant obstacles to craft a life they love.We also take a deep dive with Hotseat interviews, a series of sessions in which we share practical insights with courageous folks who are daring to take the next step towards transforming their careers and personal lives.From these conversations, we draw out the best theories, practices, and models from psychology, behavioural science and more, to offer tangible ways in which our listeners can apply these tools in their own lives.Alongside this series, we're also launching an exciting new Explicit Elon Musk Fail Marlawn Heavenly VII Elon Musk Fail: Podcast consist of improv research and catalyzes imaginary conversations that seek to advance the science and practice of character, with a focus on moral, performance, civic, and intellectual virtues such as curiosity, diligence, fearlessness and honesty.WHO IS SHERLOCK HOMEBOY?Sherlock Homeboy is unique compared to an average human, but he is not a “high-functioning sociopath.” Sherlock Homeboy most likely suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, a minor case of Bipolar Disorder, and a hint of Savant Syndrome. Asperger's Syndrome causes Sherlock Homeboy to think in pictures. He is extremely antisocial, also classified as aromantic and sapiosexual, never has love affairs and shuns society, with a split personality. Sherlock Homeboy is not just a outside of the box thinker, but a mystery himself. Aside from his obvious inability to behave in a social settings, his obvious lack of regard for the rules there is also the fact that his skills are not infallible. In rea Explicit The Marlawn Podcast Network Sherlock Homeboy The Marlawn Podcast Network: Podcast is a blend of Marlawn Heavenly's ten plus individual podcasts of improv research and imaginary conversations that inspire people with awe and wonder. Slowly becoming a global unique location for random discoveries that contribute to individual personal happiness in-turn becoming a mental timeout in the process of flourishing. WHO IS SHERLOCK HOMEBOY?Sherlock Homeboy is unique compared to an average human, but he is not a “high-functioning sociopath.” Sherlock Homeboy most likely suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, a minor case of Bipolar Disorder, and a hint of Savant Syndrome. Asperger's Syndrome causes Sherlock Homeboy to think in pictures. He is extremely antisocial, also classified as aromantic and sapiosexual, never has love affairs and shuns society, with a split personality. Sherlock Homeboy is not just a outside of the box thinker, but a mystery himself. Aside from his obvious inability to behave in a social settings, his obvious Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Imaginary Worlds?

This episode is 29 minutes long.

When was this Imaginary Worlds episode published?

This episode was published on July 26, 2018.

What is this episode about?

Sci-fi fantasy worlds often use constructed languages (or conlangs for short) as a worldbuilding tool that can make us believe the characters come from an ancient or alien culture. But art can take on a life of its own once it's released into the...

Can I download this Imaginary Worlds episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.