We have often talked about learning a language, the best languages to learn and the best language aids. But seldom have we talked about fictional languages. These are languages used in popular films, books and TV shows, that aren’t a language spoken by any group of people.
Why learn a fictional langauge?
You are probably thinking “If no one speaks it, what’s the point of learning it?!” This is, of course, a valid argument, but fictional languages are often the best languages to learn. They are created by people like you: linguists.
They are often loosely based on real life languages, or have pronunciation based on a real language.
But it’s also the type of people who already speak that language: they too are linguists. This allows you to meet, talk and exchange ideas with other like-minded people, rather than people who may have drastically different world views than yours!
But the best part of learning them is that they look and sounds so cool! Whilst most fictional languages use different scripts to the Latin one used by English, those that don’t look so cool! These languages tend to have the best looking words, much like Celtic languages, but far, far better!
What are the best fictional languages to learn?
11. Aurebesh
Whilst it’s not strictly a language- being pronounced the same as English, the writing is absolutely amazing! See if you recognise the language!
This translates as “Some guys have the best luck”
As you may have already guessed, this is the language from the Star Wars universe!
It has been used throughout the Star Wars movies, books and TV shows. For ‘speakers’ of this language, Aurebesh has often provided funny Easter eggs in Star Wars movies, books and TV shows!
10. Dothraki
Dothraki is probably the most well-known fictional language on this list. It is of course, the language of Game of Thrones. The language is oddly satisfying, having had several Celtic influences.
This can best be seen in phrases such as:
Loy guys hash the coolest dragons
Translated as ‘some guys have the coolest dragons!’
Just like Aurebesh, Dothraki has been used to deliver rather hilarious Easter eggs throughout the script. And the only ones who have remotely picked up on them were Dothraki speakers!
9. Klingon
For those of you who are big Star Trek fans, you probably know Klingon. The language spoken by the Klingon species in the franchise.
When it comes to learning an extraterrestrial language such as Klingon, they can be rather difficult to learn. Because they are one of a select few fictional languages, there aren’t many resources for them.
There may be a Klingon Language Institute or even DuoLingo, but the language is still relatively difficult to begin learning. Let alone getting your head around it!
Klingon too looks rather like a Celtic language:
Hol nIvbogh ghaj ‘op guys
Translated as ‘Some guys have the best languages!’
8. Sindarin
Sindarin is one of the best fictional languages to learn, as it was created by one of the best linguists of the past 200 years. J R R Tolkien. Tolkien was one of the best linguists, being able to speak:
Tolkien learned Latin, French, and German from his mother, and while at school he learned Middle English, Old English, Finnish, Gothic, Greek, Italian, Old Norse, Spanish, Welsh, and Medieval Welsh.
According to Quora
Sindarin was used in one of Tolkien’s fantasy novels. It was designated as the language of Arda on Middle Earth.
When it was conceived, it was believed to be a language solely for Elves. But now, it has taken a life of its own, and humans too, now speak Sindarin!
I ambar na- anew
Translated as the very diabolical ‘The world is anew!’
7. Quenya
Quenya too was one of Tolkien’s fictional languages. It too was meant to be a language of the Elves (in his legendarium). But now, many humans have taken to learning Quenya.
Quenya has heavy French and Latin undertones, thanks to Tolkien’s obsession with those languages!
I amaurea na- i kal, ar i ló na- i mornië
Translated as ‘The day is the light, the night is the darkness’
6. Valyrian
Valyrian too is one of Game of Throne’s fictional languages. Valyrian actually refers to several languages, including High Valyrian and Old Valyrian.
These are languages spoken the Valyrians of the Valyrian Peninsular.
When George R R Martin used them in his novel series ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’, he only included a few words. Since then (and mainly due to the Game of Throne’s TV show) superfans have constructed a whole language that has been taught to many people.
Duolingo recently announced that they will be offering High Valyrian on their platform.
Se tubis iksos se ōños, se se bantis iksos se darkness
Translated as ‘The day is the light, the night is the darkness’
5. Nadsat
Nadsat is personally, the most appealing language on this list.
Nadsat is one of Anthony Burgess’ fictional languages, for his novel ‘A clockwork orange’.
Nadsat was developed due to Burgess’ love of both the Russian and English languages. He wanted a the fictional language in his novel to be a Russian-sounding variant of English. This is evident in the language itself.
Baddiwad baboochka
Translated as ‘Bad old lady’
4. Newspeak
Newspeak is one of the greatest fictional languages. It was created, not by a linguist, but one of the most influential 20th century writers. George Orwell. Orwell used Newspeak as the totalitarian language of his totalitarian government.
As you have probably guessed, the book is 1984.
Newspeak is designed to be a much simpler version of standard English, used in ‘1984’ to simplify the function of communication. This is what gave the government in ‘1984’ so much control over their dystopian country.
Politics is a dangerous subject
Translated to mean the same in English
3. Huttese
Huttese is one of the rather odd fictional languages. It is based on one singular languauge, rather than a group of languages. In Huttese’s case, the language is Quechua.
Huttese is spoken by the Hutts- a galactic species of crime lords, most famously including Jabba the Hutt.
Huttese is basically the Lingua Franca of the Outer Rim territories. Whereas Galactic Basic (standard English) is the standard language of the core worlds and Inner Rim.
Konchee did doe wee shahnit bolla?
Translated as ‘Where did the bounty hunter go?’
At some point or another in your life, you have likely played Sims. But very few people have actually recognised that the language used in Sims is one of our fictional languages!
Simlish has a lot in common to most other fictinoal languages. Simlish was developed as a ‘gibberish’ language to be used throughout the game as treasure hunts and Easter eggs. Simlish
2. Simlish
At some point or another in your life, you have likely played Sims. But very few people have actually recognised that the language used in Sims is one of our fictional languages!
Simlish was created by Will Wright in 1996 to be used in the Sims spin-off ‘SimCopter’.
Simlish has a lot in common to most other fictinoal languages. Simlish was developed as a ‘gibberish’ language to be used throughout the game as treasure hunts and Easter eggs. Simlish was developed from Latin, Navajo, Ukranian and Tagalog (if you speak all, you can understand around 99% of Simlish just from the words!)
Choo wagga choo choo.
No, not a train, but is simply translated as ‘Something is in the way’
1.Lapine
For our readers who speak French, you might recongise this word (minus an ‘e’ of course). Indeed, it is one of the fictional languages, but it is not spoken by humans. But by rabbits instead!
(For non-French speakers, ‘Lapin’ is French for rabbit)
Lapine was created in 1972 by author and linguist Richard Adams. Adams used Lapine in his most recent book (at the time) ‘Watership Down’. After the success of the original, the sequel (Tales from a Watership Down) was released, and again, Lapine made an appearance!
Since then, both Radio and TV adaptations of the book have featured the language!
U flayfath a preetar were wet asith zen.
Translated as ‘The grass and bushes were wet with dew’
Simlish has a lot in common to most other fictinoal languages. Simlish was developed as a ‘gibberish’ language to be used throughout the game as treasure hunts and Easter eggs. Simlish