Constructed Languages

This course provides an overview of constructed languages (or conlangs), which do not arise naturally but are rather consciously created. We will begin with a survey of the history of constructed languages and then proceed to examine the following sub-components of language: phonetics/phonology, writing systems, morphology, syntax, concluding with an in depth look at the implementation of a newly constructed language within a community, be it real or fictional. Additionally, we will look into the language ideology present in the choices conlangers make for each linguistic sub-component. Throughout the course, students will be asked to contribute to discussion using examples from either an existing conlang they are familiar with or a conlang they themselves are developing. At the end of the semester, each student will present on their chosen conlang to the class.