Includes index.

Sounds. Phonetics ; Oral physiology ; Consonants ; Vowels ; Phonology ; Sound systems ; Phontactics ; Allophony ; Intonation ; Pragmatic intonation ; Stress ; Tone ; Contour tone languages ; Register tone languages ; Sign language; Articulation ; Alien sound systems -- Words. Key concepts ; Allomorphy ; Nominal inflection ; Nominal number ; Grammatical gender ; Noun case ; Nominal inflection exponence ; Verbal inflection ; Agreement ; Tense, modality, aspect ; Valency ; Word order ; Derivation -- Evolution. Phonological evolution ; Lexical evolution ; Grammatical evolution -- The written word. Orthography ; Types of orthographies ; Alphabet ; Abjad ; Abugida ; Syllabary ; Complex systems ; Using a system ; Drafting a proto-system ; Evolving a modern system ; Typography -- Phrase books. Dothraki ; High Valyrian ; Shiv�aisith ; Castithan ; Irathient ; Indojisnen ; Kamakawi ; V�yne ; Zaanics.

"From master language creator David J. Peterson comes a creative guide to language construction for sci-fi and fantasy fans, writers, game creators, and language lovers. Peterson offers a captivating overview of language creation, covering its history from Tolkien's creations and Klingon to today's thriving global community of conlangers. He provides the essential tools necessary for inventing and evolving new languages, using examples from a variety of languages including his own creations, punctuated with references to everything from Star Wars to Michael Jackson. Along the way, behind-the-scenes stories lift the curtain on how he built languages like Dothraki for HBO's Game of Thrones and Shiv�aisith for Marvel's Thor: The Dark World, and an included phrasebook will start fans speaking Peterson's constructed languages. The Art of Language Invention is an inside look at a fascinating culture and an engaging entry into a flourishing art form--and it might be the most fun you'll ever have with linguistics." -- Publisher's description.