ARTS0001d: Introduction to the Humanities: Invented Languages, Real Linguistics: How is a language built?

Course Code

ARTS0001d

Course Title

Introduction to the Humanities:

Invented Languages, Real Linguistics: How is a language built?

Class Date

14, 15, 16, 17, 20 and 21 July 2026

(22 July 2026 is reserved for class make-up in case there is any cancellation of classes due to bad weather or other unexpected factors.)

(23 July 2026 is reserved for class assessment, if any.)

Class Time

2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Teacher

Dr. CHEN Zhuo

Lecturer
Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Medium of Instruction

English

Course Description

From the languages of Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings to Klingon in Star Trek, Dothraki in Game of Thrones, and Na’vi in Avatar, invented tongues give depth to film, television, and games. Constructed languages (“conlangs”) show how language can be both a creative art form and a rigorous system. In this intensive summer course, students will explore the building blocks that make any human language work, drawing on real data from the world’s languages. We will introduce core areas of linguistics in an accessible, hands-on way, including phonetics/phonology (how speech sounds are produced and patterned), morphology (how words are built), and syntax (how sentences are structured), while also discussing how languages express culture, identity, and worldview.

Students will apply these tools in two directions: (a) analyzing how well-known conlangs achieve particular effects on screen and on the page, such as sounding ancient, alien, elegant, or practical; and (b) designing and documenting a small language of their own, from sound system to basic grammar and vocabulary, culminating in short example texts. The course balances academic rigor with creative experimentation: students will learn to justify design choices, test their language against communicative needs (translation and storytelling tasks), and reflect on real-world issues such as inclusivity, cultural representation, and the purposes languages can serve. By the end, students will have both a clearer understanding of how human languages work and a tangible creative product they can share.

Course
Content

Learning Outcomes

• Describe how human languages are structured and use foundational concepts from linguistics (sounds, word formation, and sentence patterns) to explain how meaning is systematically expressed across languages.
• Appreciate constructed languages as cultural and creative artefacts, identifying how design choices can convey identity, history, social relationships, and “worldbuilding” in well-known media and beyond.
• Develop and present an original mini-language project with a coherent design rationale and clear documentation (e.g., pronunciation guide, key grammar patterns, and a starter vocabulary), suitable for others to learn and use.
• Apply analytical and creative problem-solving skills by testing language designs through practical tasks (e.g., composing dialogues, translating short passages, and revising based on peer feedback).
• Evaluate real-world implications of language design, including how languages can build communities, reflect values, and raise questions of representation, inclusivity, and ethical communication.

Course Assessment

The above course information is subject to change and approval.
Last updated on 13 February 2026