David J. Peterson | Lingoblog

ŋitu:ni napa klapateka! A game to create a new language quickly. Your Christmas present?

14/12/2025 by Peter Bakker & Aymeric Daval-Markussen

The game Gibberers seems to have become an instantaneous cult game among language nerds, but also among more ordinary people – and for a good reason. The goal of the game is to create a new ‘language’, or perhaps a medium of interethnic communication, so that your group or your created civilization can communicate with some kind of invaders from far away. Could it be aliens? Yes. The guests could also be refugees or imperialists from elsewhere on Earth.

It took us a long time to get hold of a copy when I first heard about it on May 31^st this year. At the UK Games Expo 2025 this fall, the 100 copies the seller had brought were all … ↪

Learning about language by creating a language – a fun and creative approach to teaching linguistics

24/01/2023 by Geertje Graehn

If you are reading this blogpost, you probably know what linguistics is. However, most people don’t know what to make of the term or have only a vague idea – it’s something about grammar, maybe? Those unknowing people would probably never choose a course titled ‘Introduction to Linguistics’ as an elective, as it sounds either too dry or too daunting. But what if introductory linguistics courses were taught under another cover – that of creating your own language?

Using language invention in the classroom has been increasing in popularity, and courses on language invention have been successful around the world. The book Language Invention in Linguistics Pedagogy explores this new field. It is edited by Jeffrey Punske, Nathan Sanders and … ↪

Conlang-week in Aarhus

13/09/2022 by Geertje Graehn

Increasing numbers of films and television series incorporate fictional languages to create authentic fantasy settings. But who makes these languages? Meet two language creators and hear about their work. There will be a workshop and two talks at Aarhus University. The events are free, and everyone is welcome, students and non-students alike!

Wednesday 14^th september, 4-6 pm, 1441-112:

SOLIA-workshop with David J. Peterson and Jessie Sams: “From beginning to translation – a historical approach”

Thursday 15^th september, 4-8 pm, 1482-105 (Nobel auditorium):

Talk by David J. Peterson & Jessie Sams

Friday 16^th september, ViGør, 2-4 pm, 1481-264:

Talk by David J. Peterson & Jessie Sams

Read more about David J. Peterson (in Danish)

… ↪

Creator of Dothraki language from Game of Thrones visits Aarhus University

26/04/2022 by Nina Vad Thomsen

The creator of the fictional language Dothraki, from the HBO series ‘Game of Thrones’, will fly all the way

from Hollywood to Aarhus University on 14/9 – 19/9 2022, where he will give a presentation on his experience as a professional ‘conlanger’.

He will also be holding an informal meet-and-greet where there will be the opportunity for an autograph or a selfie!

A conlanger is a person who creates fictional languages, or a language that did not emerge naturally. David J. Peterson is probably the most successful conlanger in the world. He is Hollywood’s “go-to conlanger” and has therefore created a considerable number of fictional languages for movies and series such as: Thor 2, Defiance, The Witcher, Game of Thrones, … ↪