Constructed language

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An artificial or constructed language (sometimes called a conlang) is a language that has been created by an individual or small group, rather than have naturally evolved as part of a culture. Some are designed for use in human communication (like the well-known Esperanto). Others are created for use in fiction, linguistic experimentation, secret codes, or just because the creator wants to (artistic languages, language games).

Constructed languages can be divided into a priori languages, which are made completely new, and a posteriori languages, which take things (like vocabulary, grammar) from existing languages.

Constructed languages can also be divided into:

  • Engineered languages (engelangs), further subdivided into philosophical languages and logical languages (loglangs) - made for experimentation in logic or philosophy
  • Auxiliary languages (auxlangs) - made for international communication (also called International Auxiliary Language, (IAL))
  • Artistic languages (artlangs) - made for aesthetic pleasure or fun
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