Over the centuries, invented, or artificial, languages have been devised for many reasons, including efforts to unite the world, experiments to learn more about language acquisition, and artistic exploration of language. Is there a place for invented language? What do invented languages teach us about natural language? Students will analyze the linguistic components of constructed languages examples and learn about the range of patterns that are possible in languages of the world. We will look at invented languages from a variety of points of view: linguistic, historical, philosophical, psychological, and sociological. We will explore the linguistic underpinnings of various languages, from seventeenth century Real Character to Na'vi, with a look at a successful "reinvented" language, Modern Hebrew. Students will each construct their own language based on the concepts we discuss.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 15

Prerequisites: Open to juniors and seniors who have taken LING 114 or CLSC/PSYC 216 and a related 200-level course in linguistics, psychology, anthropology, or philosophy, or permission of the instructor.

Distribution Requirements: SBA - Social and Behavioral Analysis; EC - Epistemology and Cognition

Typical Periods Offered: Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring; Fall

Notes: