Invent unique languages with grammar, vocabulary, and scripts.
Conlanging, or language creation, is the intellectual pursuit of constructing artificial languages. It’s a deeply creative and analytical hobby that blends linguistics, world-building, and artistic expression. Whether for fictional worlds in books or games, personal artistic expression, or simply the joy of linguistic exploration, conlanging offers a unique challenge. It requires meticulous attention to detail to develop coherent phonology, grammar, and lexicon, often resulting in languages as complex and nuanced as natural ones. The community is vibrant and supportive, filled with individuals eager to share their creations and learn from others.
For the meticulous thinker who delights in crafting intricate systems and exploring the very nature of communication.
Your journey starts here. Follow these steps to get started with Conlanging (Language Creation).
Define the basic sounds (phonemes) your language will use. A good starting point is to look at the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and select a manageable set of consonants and vowels. Consider how these sounds will combine. Visit the Language Construction Kit for a comprehensive guide: https://www.zompist.com/kit/
Decide on fundamental grammatical structures. Will it be Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) like English, or something different? Consider how plurals are formed, how verbs are conjugated, and how adjectives work. Start simple and build complexity.
Begin assigning words to common concepts. Start with basic nouns (person, water, sky), verbs (to be, to go, to eat), and adjectives (big, small, good). Consider deriving related words from a common root to create internal consistency.
Join a forum or Discord server dedicated to conlanging. Observe how other creators approach challenges, share your early ideas, and ask for feedback. The r/conlangs subreddit is a good place to start.
Our top picks for core tools to get you started.
Recommended items to enhance your experience.
As an Amazon Associate, HobbyStack may earn from qualifying purchases. Prices are estimates.
Creating too many exceptions to grammatical rules too early can make the language feel inconsistent and difficult to learn, even for yourself.
Many new conlangers unconsciously base their language too heavily on English grammar and vocabulary, leading to a lack of true originality.
Trying to create an entire language, complete with thousands of words and complex dialects, from the outset is overwhelming. Start small and iterate.
A hobby's core characteristics, based on community votes.
33% Solo
You tend to prefer your own company but are open to occasional, low-pressure social activities.
Balanced
You appreciate a balance of calm focus and moments of light, engaging activity.
90% Indoors
You are a homebody at heart, finding the most comfort and inspiration within your own space.
78% Creative
Your mind is a canvas, and you thrive on hobbies that offer total creative freedom and boundless self-expression.
75% Mental
You are a deep thinker who finds the most joy in complex, intellectual challenges that require pure brainpower.
Based on 12 total trait votes.
If you like Conlanging (Language Creation), you might also enjoy these related hobbies.
Dive deeper with these community-recommended websites, guides, and forums.
A foundational and comprehensive guide to all aspects of conlanging, from phonology to writing systems.
A very active online community for language creators to share work, ask questions, and get feedback.
Offers detailed tutorials and discussions on phonology, grammar, and the linguistics behind creating believable languages.
The smallest distinct sound unit in a language that can differentiate meaning (e.g., 'p' and 'b' in 'pat' and 'bat').
The smallest grammatical unit in a language that carries meaning, such as prefixes, suffixes, or root words.
The vocabulary of a language.
The set of rules that governs the structure of sentences in a language.
A standardized system of phonetic notation used to represent the sounds of spoken languages.
This hobby's profile is shaped by the community. See what's most popular and cast your own vote to refine its identity.
The community strongly defines Conlanging (Language Creation) by aspects of the Collecting & Curation category.
Many users also associate Conlanging (Language Creation) with Visual Arts & Design.
A number of users see a connection between this hobby and Technology & Engineering.
A number of users see a connection between this hobby and Digital & Screen Entertainment.
Invent unique languages with grammar, vocabulary, and scripts.
Conlanging, or language creation, is the intellectual pursuit of constructing artificial languages. It’s a deeply creative and analytical hobby that blends linguistics, world-building, and artistic expression. Whether for fictional worlds in books or games, personal artistic expression, or simply the joy of linguistic exploration, conlanging offers a unique challenge. It requires meticulous attention to detail to develop coherent phonology, grammar, and lexicon, often resulting in languages as complex and nuanced as natural ones. The community is vibrant and supportive, filled with individuals eager to share their creations and learn from others.
For the meticulous thinker who delights in crafting intricate systems and exploring the very nature of communication.
Your journey starts here. Follow these steps to get started with Conlanging (Language Creation).
Define the basic sounds (phonemes) your language will use. A good starting point is to look at the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) and select a manageable set of consonants and vowels. Consider how these sounds will combine. Visit the Language Construction Kit for a comprehensive guide: https://www.zompist.com/kit/
Decide on fundamental grammatical structures. Will it be Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) like English, or something different? Consider how plurals are formed, how verbs are conjugated, and how adjectives work. Start simple and build complexity.
Begin assigning words to common concepts. Start with basic nouns (person, water, sky), verbs (to be, to go, to eat), and adjectives (big, small, good). Consider deriving related words from a common root to create internal consistency.
Join a forum or Discord server dedicated to conlanging. Observe how other creators approach challenges, share your early ideas, and ask for feedback. The r/conlangs subreddit is a good place to start.
Our top picks for core tools to get you started.
Recommended items to enhance your experience.
As an Amazon Associate, HobbyStack may earn from qualifying purchases. Prices are estimates.
Creating too many exceptions to grammatical rules too early can make the language feel inconsistent and difficult to learn, even for yourself.
Many new conlangers unconsciously base their language too heavily on English grammar and vocabulary, leading to a lack of true originality.
Trying to create an entire language, complete with thousands of words and complex dialects, from the outset is overwhelming. Start small and iterate.
A hobby's core characteristics, based on community votes.
33% Solo
You tend to prefer your own company but are open to occasional, low-pressure social activities.
Balanced
You appreciate a balance of calm focus and moments of light, engaging activity.
90% Indoors
You are a homebody at heart, finding the most comfort and inspiration within your own space.
78% Creative
Your mind is a canvas, and you thrive on hobbies that offer total creative freedom and boundless self-expression.
75% Mental
You are a deep thinker who finds the most joy in complex, intellectual challenges that require pure brainpower.
Based on 12 total trait votes.
If you like Conlanging (Language Creation), you might also enjoy these related hobbies.
Dive deeper with these community-recommended websites, guides, and forums.
A foundational and comprehensive guide to all aspects of conlanging, from phonology to writing systems.
A very active online community for language creators to share work, ask questions, and get feedback.
Offers detailed tutorials and discussions on phonology, grammar, and the linguistics behind creating believable languages.
The smallest distinct sound unit in a language that can differentiate meaning (e.g., 'p' and 'b' in 'pat' and 'bat').
The smallest grammatical unit in a language that carries meaning, such as prefixes, suffixes, or root words.
The vocabulary of a language.
The set of rules that governs the structure of sentences in a language.
A standardized system of phonetic notation used to represent the sounds of spoken languages.
This hobby's profile is shaped by the community. See what's most popular and cast your own vote to refine its identity.
The community strongly defines Conlanging (Language Creation) by aspects of the Collecting & Curation category.
Many users also associate Conlanging (Language Creation) with Visual Arts & Design.
A number of users see a connection between this hobby and Technology & Engineering.
A number of users see a connection between this hobby and Digital & Screen Entertainment.
