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200 reviews for:
The Art of Language Invention: From Horse-Lords to Dark Elves, the Words Behind World-Building
David J. Peterson
4.1 AVERAGE
200 reviews for:
The Art of Language Invention: From Horse-Lords to Dark Elves, the Words Behind World-Building
David J. Peterson
4.1 AVERAGE
funny
informative
fast-paced
This is actually a VERY basic Introduction to Linguistics, written in the most easily accessible way. Great for people who never heard of linguistics, but a bit boring for actual linguists (like me). But it was still pretty fun to read.
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
This book was so much fun to read! I'm already in linguistics, but I've never created a language before. I learned so much from the book, and while I don't know that I'll run off and create a language right away, I do know a lot more about what goes into conlanging than I did. David J. Peterson made the material really engaging, and the way he goes through each aspect of language also gives a pretty thorough introduction to the different subfields in linguistics. This book is ultimate nerdery and I love it!
I have the audio book and ebook, but recommend the audio version for obvious reasons.
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
I got more then I bargained for with this book. While I have learned how Mr. Peterson wrote the Dothraki language for Game of Thrones; I have also learned a lot more about how everyone can read and use the same word in many different contexts. In addition, that there are so many ways to use your vocal range to produce a variety of different pronunciations and sounds. Which if you are a singer or an actor, I am sure you already know how to do the vocal exercises.
Yes, I agree that this book does read like a text book but a very intriguing and informative book. I did not think I would like reading this book as much as I did. Also, the Case Studies that were featured in this book I found to be interesting and like added bonuses. Geared with this additional knowledge, I will now be watching movies, television shows, and books with more of a critical eye on the language used.
Yes, I agree that this book does read like a text book but a very intriguing and informative book. I did not think I would like reading this book as much as I did. Also, the Case Studies that were featured in this book I found to be interesting and like added bonuses. Geared with this additional knowledge, I will now be watching movies, television shows, and books with more of a critical eye on the language used.
I enjoyed the book overall. David J. Peterson has excellent credential to be writing a book on conlanging. Each of the sections he includes are packed with information and supported by examples he draws from his own conlangs. The book's biggest weakness and the only reason I don't give it five stars, is a lack of information on syntax. What good is it to know how to derive words organically and sound them out if we can't string together in sentences?
Simultaneously very fun and eye-crossing. This is a very nuts and bolts books about how naturalistic languages are created (con-langs). It's very interesting to read why conlangers don't just throw together some vowels and consonants and call it a day - it's very much an art form. However, since I can't remember the difference between dative and genitive cases in German (this is no exaggeration, I actually can't ever remember until after I've got the answer wrong in Duolingo and I had 4 years of German), when Peterson gets into noun cases and nominal inflection exponence and valency I want to hide under the bed. I'm a grammar nerd, but primarily in a "who keeps using too many commas" sort of way. But if you are a linguist or want to know more about how Peterson created Dothraki and High Valyrian and other languages used in TV and movies, this is your bag. (He even gets into language evolution and how that ties into writing systems which is really intertwined)