Re: Heyas all!
| From: | Trace Erin Kern <tracefox@...> |
|---|
| Date: | Thursday, March 25, 1999, 17:55 |
|---|
On Thu, 25 Mar 1999 11:20:17 -0500 Mathew Willoughby <sidonian@...>
writes:
>Trace Erin Kern wrote:
>
>> Hello folks! Just thought I'd say hi since I'm new to the list.
>>
>> I found this list during a search online and decided to subscribe
>because
>> it might help me out.
>> I am an amateur writer, I write sci-fi/fantasy stories. For my
>stories I
>> have 'created' several alien species. I heard that one of the
>things
>> discussed on this list is 'created' languages for fictional
>species.
>
>Welcome Trace,
>
>A few of us here (myself included) are fiction writers. Many are
>into
>conlanging simply for the sheer joy of it. It's a fascinating artform
>in its
>own
>right. I think you'll find this list really useful. I haven't been
>here
>very long
>and I've already learned a lot!
I tend to write in the sci-fi/fantasy genre, with alot of non-human alien
species. I haven't written much yet, as I'm still trying to flesh out my
latest project, but I could send you what I have written if you like...
As for my experiance with conlanging, it's almost nil. I took a look at
the Terran to Kilngon dictionary and lexicon, and I thought it was pretty
cool. Started speaking Klingon phrases for months. <grin>
In any event, I thought it would be even better to create a language or
two for my stories or personal usage.
I'm not really looking to create a language from scratch though (Well,
maybe one) but rather more of a translation. (Someone called it a
relexification project.)
>> Another thing this list might help me with is a joint programming
>project
>> I and a friend are working on. I had the idea a while back to work
>with
>> him in creating a computer program that took an existing
>> dictionary/language file and allowed you to generate a new language,
>as
>> well as translation
>
>> I thought I'd toss that idea out here to see if anyone has allready
>done
>> this, or if anyone might have some basic ideas of how to bring it
>about.
>> Basically we're looking to create a program that will let you
>specify the
>> base phonetic sounds for your new language, then somehow generate a
>> translated 'language file/dictonary' using those phonetics as a
>seed.
>
>This sounds a lot like Langmaker which is a wonderful program
>(although it's a little buggy on my machine... ahem). It can
>randomly generate words based on phonetic patterns you
>have specified. It can also take a list of words and morph them
>into cognates based on sound changes that you have specified.
>Very useful if you're like me and you tend to wind up with too
>many homophones in your languages.
Hmmm...This sounds very similar to what I am looking to do. Except
instead of generating random words, I'd like to be able to 'translate' a
Terran dictionary into the 'alien' language. But I'll have to grab this
program to perhaps use as a base.
>You can download it from:
>
http://www.langmaker.com/langmake/index.htm
>
>>
>> Any ideas folks?
>>
>> Trace Erin Kern - TraceFox@juno.com
>> ~Hah'Rooqh Tah'Khrine, Eayl Noh'Tahl~
>> ~May you go in peace, all your journey~
>>
>
>Lovely saying; what language is it?