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  • The Art of Language Invention

  • From Horse-Lords to Dark Elves, the Words Behind World-Building
  • By: David J. Peterson
  • Narrated by: David J. Peterson
  • Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (4 ratings)

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The Art of Language Invention

By: David J. Peterson
Narrated by: David J. Peterson
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Publisher's Summary

An insider's tour through the construction of invented languages from the best-selling author and creator of languages for the HBO series Game of Thrones and the Syfy series Defiance. 

From master language creator David J. Peterson comes a creative guide to language construction for sci-fi and fantasy fans, writers, game creators, and language lovers. Peterson offers a captivating overview of language creation, covering its history from Tolkien's creations and Klingon to today's thriving global community of conlangers. He provides the essential tools necessary for inventing and evolving new languages, using examples from a variety of languages including his own creations, punctuated with references to everything from Star Wars to Michael Jackson. Along the way, behind-the-scenes stories lift the curtain on how he built languages like Dothraki for HBO's Game of Thrones and Shiväisith for Marvel's Thor: The Dark World, and an included phrasebook will start fans speaking Peterson's constructed languages. 

The Art of Language Invention is an inside look at a fascinating culture and an engaging entry into a flourishing art form - and it might be the most fun you'll ever have with linguistics. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2015 David J. Peterson (P)2015 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

“David Peterson's language work transformed our show, investing it with a sense of reality and history that would have been impossible without him. There's nothing like the real thing, and David Peterson is it. This fascinating book will not only illuminate the task of language creation - it will make you look at your own language in a whole new way.” (David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, co-creators of HBO's Game of Thrones)  

“George R. R. Martin created Khal Drogo, and David Benioff and Dan Weiss believed in me, but David Peterson gave me life.” (Jason Momoa) 

“David J. Peterson’s The Art of Language Invention accomplishes a minor miracle in taking a potentially arcane discipline and infusing it with life, humor and passion. It makes a compelling and entertaining case for language creation as visual and aural poetry. I cherish words, I love books about words and for me this is the best book about language since Stephen Fry’s The Ode Less Traveled. And, best of all, there’s a phrasebook!” (Kevin Murphy, co-creator and showrunner of Syfy’s Defiance

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