View source for Invisible proto-language

An '''invisible proto-language''' is a ad hoc technical term used to refer to a constructed proto-language that is invisible to anyone other than the creator. It's a tool to be used by a conlanger to create another language, but is rarely showcased as a language on its own. This contrasts with a [[visible proto-language]], which is itself a full conlang that is intended for use. For example, the proto-language of [[Astapori Valyrian language|Astapori Valyrian]] is [[High Valyrian language|High Valyrian]]. [[High Valyrian language|High Valyrian]] is a [[visible proto-language]], in that it is also presented as a full conlang. The proto-language of [[High Valyrian language|High Valyrian]], on the other hand, is [[Old Valyrian language|Old Valyrian]], which is an [[invisible proto-language]]. It's not fleshed out to the same extent, and is not intended to serve as a fully functioning conlang.

Given the fact that we still do not know how language emerged for the very first time, an invisible proto-language is likely a necessarily evil in naturalistic conlanging. Much the way one can posit proto-forms for Indo-European languages going all the way back to Proto-Indo-European but no further, a conlanger must state that at a certain point one can delve no further into the history of their conlang.

As a general note, for this wiki, only a priori languages will be included in this list. A language like [[Lishepus language|Lishepus]], whose proto-language is essentially a mix of different natural language roots with Proto-Semitic grammar, will not be listed here.

==List of Invisible Proto-Languages==

* [[Old Valyrian language|Old Valyrian]]
* [[Proto-Castithan language|Proto-Castithan]]
* [[Proto-Munja'kin language|Proto-Munja'kin]]
* [[Proto-Plains language|Proto-Plains]]
* [[Sungdin language|Sungdin]]

==List of Languages with Invisible Proto-Languages==

* [[Bodzvokhan language|Bodzvokhan]]
* [[Dothraki language|Dothraki]]
* [[Fjerdan language|Fjerdan]]
* [[High Valyrian language|High Valyrian]]
* [[Indojisnen language|Indojisnen]]
* [[Irathient language|Irathient]]
* [[Kinuk'aaz language|Kinuk'aaz]]
* [[Munja'kin language|Munja'kin]]
* [[Noalath language|Noalath]]
* [[Old Castithan language|Old Castithan]]
* [[Övüsi language|Övüsi]]
* [[Ravkan language|Ravkan]]
* [[Shiväisith language|Shiväisith]]
* [[Sondiv language|Sondiv]]
* [[Veda language|Veda]]
* [[Yanga Kayang language|Yanga Kayang]]