Have you even read Tolkien's books, and wondered what it would be like to create languages for a fantasy world, as he did? Do you wonder what went into the design of Dothraki, or Klingon? Well, now you can find out! Conlanging is the art of constructing one's own languages, either from scratch or with inspriation from existing natural languages. In this hands-on, collaborative workshop, we'll put together the basics of our very own language, and by the end we will be able to form simple sentences and talk to each other in a brand-new language!

Have you even read Tolkien's books, and wondered what it would be like to create languages for a fantasy world, as he did? Do you wonder what went into the design of Dothraki, or Klingon? Well, now you can find out! We will spend the first part of this class going over the basics of what you need to know to design a language $$---$$ some phonology, morphology, and syntax, as well as a brief overview of natural languages that are worth emulating. Then, we will use the second part of the class to create a conlang sketch of our own. You will go home with a taste of what conlanging is about, and the beginnings of a brand-new language!