I'm looking for advice and suggestions about the one and only language I have ever developed, or desired to use. I only created this one as a plot device, and the glossary is one double spaced page. So, no fully developed language here.

Basically, the MC, Morgon, cannot learn the Wizardic tongue. Despite being half wizard, and hearing it for most of his childhood, he was unable to either speak or read it, and gained only limited understanding.

There is one phrase used exclusively, repeated by about four different characters, finally translated and expounded upon that makes up the whole of this language:

Morgul Muon Souron. (I come from Souron)

The rest is:


If I remember correctly it means, "Souran is dead. Forever!"

The last sentence means something along the lines of Morgon has taken Souron's place, but my glossary seems to have walked off and left me.

So, does it come into play enough in the story to warrant being paid attention to? Or is half a dozen words enough, considering the MC can't speak it? What would you language experts advise? For some reason this keeps haunting me, asking me to pay attention to it.

I'm no expert, but here's my two bits:

If he doesn't speak it I'd just stick with a half-dozen words. In my experiences, at least, having a fully-developed language isn't all that useful. (Watch everyone expel me from the forum for saying that) I've only used mine maybe a few times in the course of the whole novel. They're definitely more helpful for place names and whatnot.

I'd just stick with the little amount you have. Especially if you don't want to get sucked in to developing a full-blown language.

(BTW - Souran sounds sort of like Sauron, IMHO...not sure if that's intentional or not though, not knowing much about your story. )

eruheran

I just make-up... *switches to technical speak*... sub-create my language on the spot. I need a word or phrase, I check my existing glossary. If I don't have it, I make one up. I'd suggest doing the same, since it seem you only need it every once in a while.

Just so you know...

Souron ~ Sauron, villain of LOTR
Morgul = place adjacent to Mordor
Morgon ~ Morgoth, ultimate villain of The Silmarillion

Morgon is the name of my MC so I'm innocent on that count.
Souron I already figured out.

Randomly rewriting this story the whole part of the plot I might not even have to ever give any examples of the wizardic tongue. So we'll see...

Honestly, all you need is a phonetic system for it, and you are good to go. You can generate random words on the spot for whatever you need. The only time you would need more, would be if you have whole sentences, poetry, extended discussions, or lessons in the language. In which case a bit of grammar is helpful. Other than that, you're fine.

As such, 'making a language' for your story is actually quite simple, doesn't take much time, and will enamor your readers to no end. So I advise doing so.

* looks at the list of topics in the Scriptorium *

Evidently no one has posted about how to make a phonetic system yet... unless it is in the vault....

* digs through the vault *

Okay... didn't find anything on phonetic systems in particular. I did find a different thread though, which I brought back out and made sticky. * chuckles * I will go start one and link to it in here.

And here it is: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=2847