What is language? Is it just a complex system we use to communicate that took thousand of years to evolve to its present form? Or is it a system that can now be created within a matter of decades? Apparently, it’s both! Language is defined to be a systematic means of communicating ideas or feelings by the use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures, or marks having understood meanings, and the combination and structure of these factors create an art form. It is becoming increasingly popular for science fiction and fantasy films in Hollywood to create new languages. What do I mean by that? Let’s use the example of James Cameron’s Oscar-winning film “Avatar,” that came out in 2009: it took almost 20 years for it to be released because of elements such as animation technology, and linguistics. Aside from purposely waiting for the right technology to be able to create his vision, James Cameron made it crucial to have a conlanger (someone who creates constructed languages) create the language of Na’vi, which took years to create. In this futuristic film that takes place in the middle of the 22nd century, our planet comes into contact with indigenous humanoids that have a society like ours, which included a language that has intricate structures and rules. The authentic-ness that this language added to the film made it all the more popular and of higher demand.

Now, more films are being released that have “actual” languages and are not a bunch of randomly sounds that are made to sound “extraterrestrial”. Because I’m biased, I would argue that they wouldn’t be as well thought out and as captivating as the Na’vi language in “Avatar,” but it’s downright awesome to see them be created. Being an Anthropology major and having an uncommon liking to Fantasy and SciFi films, makes it that much more exciting to see. It makes me question whether or not we’ll be seeing any of these “created” languages become officially used in our world for the hell of it. It’s definitely possible, seeing how are world is so obsessed with the future and aliens. It’s also amazing to see the art form of language become more and more developed and evolved. The way we communicate and express ourselves is very much an art form!  Who knows, maybe you might find me in the credits of a blockbuster film as the Conlanger (my new favorite word)! Ok, so it’s a long shot, but it’s fun to imagine, and isn’t this what it’s all about, imagining a new way of communicating and putting it to life?