Are Elvish, Klingon, Dothraki and Na’vi real languages?
2,914,127 Views
7,424 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
What do Game of Thrones’ Dothraki, Avatar’s Na’vi, Star Trek’s Klingon and LOTR’s Elvish have in common? They are all fantasy constructed languages, or conlangs. Conlangs have all the delicious complexities of real languages: a high volume of words, grammar rules, and room for messiness and evolution. John McWhorter explains why these invented languages captivate fans long past the rolling credits.
Would you rather that your artificial language did not change over time or that it evolved as people used it the way Elvish was made to have done?
Sign in to answer questionAbout TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Educator John McWhorter
- Director Joyce Stenneke
- Sound Designer Werner Urban
- Narrator John McWhorter
