Artificial languages are languages that originated through computer simulations between artificial agents, robot interactions, or carefully controlled psychological tests with people. They differ from both constructed and formal languages in that they are the consequence of distributed processes, similar to natural languages, rather than being purposefully devised by an individual or group. In contrast to the concept of a central designer, the discipline of artificial language evolution, which investigates artificial languages, might be considered a subset of the larger subject of cultural evolution research.
Identifying Artificial Languages
The aim, uniqueness, and size of an artificial language are the three aspects that determine its legitimacy. The most obvious sign is the language’s function. Esperanto would not be regarded as a valid artificial language under this criterion.
Despite the secrecy of his work, there is no doubt that Ludovic Lazarus Zamenhof invented Esperanto of his own volition, publishing a grammar and dictionary under the title International Language, Introduction and Complete Textbook. Despite the fact that his infrequently acknowledged wife, Clara Zilbernik, aided him in this endeavour, the language can be perceived as artificial once published.
However, it is evident that Esperanto’s purpose was not to be used for its own sake. Esperanto was created with the goal of becoming “the international language,” and it was designed to be simple to learn for future pupils. The grammar is purposefully basic and adaptable, and the words are phonetically correct. Despite the challenges it presents to non-Europeans (such as roman letters), its goal is to serve a real community by becoming a real language.
Basic English
Charles Kay Ogden devised Basic English, a built language with a modest number of vocabulary, which he describes in his book Basic English: A General Introduction with Rules and Grammar (1930). The language is based on an abridged form of the English language. According to Ogden, learning English would take seven years, Esperanto seven months, and Basic English seven weeks.
Basic English is thus utilised by organisations who need to create sophisticated books for international distribution, as well as language schools that need to provide people with a basic understanding of English in a short period of time.
Esperanto
Esperanto is a long-established artificial language. Artificial languages, on the whole, aren’t particularly successful. They have a difficult time spreading since they lack a native speaker base. Even yet, some of them continue around because they connect with some of the other users. Similish, an artificial language used in The Sims, one of the most successful video game franchises, is an example of this.
Esperanto, on the other hand, was created at the end of the nineteenth century (1887) for a completely different purpose and is still in use today. Esperanto is, without a doubt, the most popular of the artificial international languages.
One of the reasons Esperanto is still alive and well is because it is reasonably easy to learn for Europeans. “Orthography is phonetic, and all words are spelled as they are pronounced.” The grammar is straightforward and consistent, with distinct word endings for nouns, adjectives, and verbs.” Esperanto has a few other language qualities that should make it simple to use.
Tolkien Quenya
J.R. R. Tolkien created a number of Elvish languages, the most well-known of which are Quenya and Sindarin. These were the different languages spoken by the Elves of Middle-earth as their society evolved over time. Tolkien was captivated by the growth and evolution of language across time as part of his quest for realism and love of language. As he researched and replicated the way language adapts and evolves, Tolkien constructed two nearly completely developed languages and a dozen more in various states of development.
He spent a lot of effort on his invented languages as a philologist. In a collection of letters published posthumously by his son, Christopher John Tolkien, he even indicated that he began his stories set in this other world, the realm of Middle-earth, with a devised set of languages, rather than with people or narrative as one might expect. The stories and characters operate as channels for bringing those languages to life. Tolkien’s mythology and world-building relied heavily on the invention of language.
The foundation is the invention of languages. The’stories’ were created to offer an universe for the languages rather than the other way around.
Conclusion
The following are examples of artificial languages: Natural languages are replaced by constructed languages. They facilitate human connection or lend credibility to fictitious realms. Examples include basic English, Esperanto, Tolkien’s Quenya, and Lojban.
As a tool of worldbuilding and realism, artificial languages are commonly used in works of fiction such as books and movies. The reader is able to suspend disbelief and fully immerse themselves in the story because to these artificial languages.