Invisible proto-language: Difference between revisions

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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.
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.
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.

Revision as of 03:23, 8 September 2024

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 is High Valyrian. High Valyrian is a visible proto-language, in that it is also presented as a full conlang. The proto-language of High Valyrian, on the other hand, is 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, 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

List of Languages with Invisible Proto-Languages