“As language creators, when you meet other language creators for the first time, it’s both exciting that you have people to talk about this with, and super disappointing because you realize you’re not unique.” –David J. Peterson 

Today's episode is proudly brought to you by Gotham Writers.

David J. Peterson is a conlanger who’s created languages for HBO’s Game of Thrones, Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World, MTV’s The Shannara Chronicles, and the CW’s The 100. David is also the author of his newest book, The Art of Language Invention, where readers can learn technical how-to’s and advice about inventing their own languages.  

We have a special giveaway contest for this episode. Game of Thrones fans, you’ll love this! Three lucky winners will receive a signed copy of David’s book Living Language Dothraki and a limited edition 88 Cups of Tea mug! Look out for the instructions below. 

In our conversation, we get super technical about how David builds and constructs languages, the evolution of languages, why Arabic is David’s favorite language he’s learned, and we (of course) take a closer look at the Dothraki and Valyrian languages he invented for Game of Thrones.

Say 'Hi' to David on Twitter!

“Everybody at every point in their life should have some sort of a language project on the side that they’re just trying to learn.” - David J. Peterson

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR GIVEAWAY CONTEST

1. What did you love most about David’s episode?
2. Share it on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Be sure to tag @88cupsoftea and include #88cupsoftea so we can find your contest entry!
3. Have fun and good luck!

DEADLINE: Wednesday, June 8th at 9pm EST (6pm PST) 

 

 

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

• David’s path that led him to become a linguist

• Why Arabic is David’s favorite language he learned and David gives usexamples of how the language is constructed 

• We dive into detail about how David’s hobby as a language creator led him to having a career as a professional language creator for TV shows like GAME OF THRONES

• Why language creators have been widely ridiculed and how David’s career in crafting languages is specifically helping to create a shift in perception

• David walks us through the incredibly meticulous amount of work that goes into building a language 

• David explains why the verbal system is the most difficult, yet the most crucial, step in creating a language

• How David’s book THE ART OF LANGUAGE INVENTION willhelp with language building

• How to easily learn the beginnings of new languages through memorization and practice

• The differences between the low and high Valyrian language created for GAME OF THRONES

• David unpacks the evolution of languages

• What exactly is a ‘Conlang Community’?

• Did you know that J. R. R. Tolkien was a language creator before he wrote his high-fantasy books like The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit? (ME NEITHER!) Learn why he’s held in the highest regard in the conlang community

Learn More About David J. Peterson

David J. Peterson is a conlanger and author. He’s created languages for HBO’sGame of Thrones, Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World, MTV’s The Shannara Chronicles, and the CW’s The 100. He’s also the author of Living Language Dothraki, and Penguin Books’ The Art of Language Invention.

David’s Recommended Books & Resources:

Conlang.org

Index of Linguistic Articles

The Art of Language Invention YouTube channel

The Evolution of Grammar by Joan Bybee and Revere Perkins

Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariost

Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev

Say ‘Hi!’ to David
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
TWITTER