When it comes to learning languages, fictional languages open up some seriously awesome options for us nerdy language lovers. I mean, just imagine conversing fluently in Elvish or cussing like a Dothraki horse lord! How freaking cool would that be? So, if you’re a fan of immersive, rich worlds of sci-fi, fantasy, TV, and more, you’ve come to the right place!
In this post, I’ll explore the 8 best fictional languages that you can actually learn.
Yep, you read that right! These creative tongues have established vocabularies and grammar rules so you can master speaking High Valyrian, Na’vi, Simlish, and other awesome fictional languages. Consider this your starter guide to unlocking fictional universes through their unique languages!
Ready? Get pumped to skill up and geek out about conlang below!
Table of Contents
What Are Fictional Languages?
I know what you’re thinking – fictional languages? Like from Star Wars and stuff? Are those real languages I can actually learn?
Great questions, grasshopper! Let me break it down for you.
Unlike natural languages like English or Spanish, which evolved naturally over centuries, fictional languages are consciously created from scratch by individual authors, linguists, and creators. They’re meant to exist within the bounds of various fictional worlds – from books, TV, movies, video games, and comics.
Now, I gotta throw a little real talk out there. Learning Klingon likely won’t land you any sweet, professional gigs beyond ComicCon, and that Na’vi greeting won’t help you book flights or hotels. But that’s not why most fans dive into fictional linguistics anyway!
People learn these passion languages to connect with worlds and characters they love at a deeper level. Along the way, you’ll automatically join a built-in global community of fellow nerds and language enthusiasts who want to geek out about Dothraki verb conjugations or heated Elvish translation debates.
I mean, where else can you find that incredible sense of belonging? So even if you never become fluent, fictional language skills demonstrate serious fan dedication. And that, for me, is pretty freaking priceless!
Most Popular Fictional Languages
In this section, we’ll spotlight Middle Earth’s lyrical Elvish languages brought to life by Tolkien, harsh Dothraki and High Valyrian speech from the land of Westeros, logical Vulcan, and Klingon dialects, the native Na’vi tongue, and other fictional faves you’ve likely heard spoken passionately at ComicCons worldwide.
Let’s begin!
Dothraki Language From The Game Of Thrones
Best Resource: Learn Dothraki
Developed for the hit HBO TV series by linguistic mastermind David J. Peterson, Dothraki captures the fierce essence of the brutal horse-mounted nomads who dominate the grasslands of Essos in Game Of Thrones. With no written language system, the predominantly oral Dothraki language was brought viscerally to life by actor Jason Momoa, who played the formidable warlord Khal Drogo.
Though author George R.R. Martin had sprinkled some Dothraki vocabulary throughout his books, Peterson greatly expanded the language based on Estonian, Turkish, Russian, Inuktitut, and Swahili influences. The result? A surprisingly complex fictional tongue with unique grammar rules built to convey the passion and wildness of the Dothraki people
| English | Dothraki |
|---|---|
| I love you. | Anha zhilak yera. |
| Thank you. | San athchomari yeraan! |
Klingon Language From The Star Trek
Best Resource: Klingon Language Institute
Originally created by Marc Okrand, the Klingon language first appeared in 1979’s Star Trek. But over successive Star Trek shows and films, Okrand systematically crafted a legit functioning language system from those initial tribal grunts and roars.
Drawing inspiration from the existing Klingon speech patterns, Okrand built out the structure, pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar rules that today allow for a completely coherent Klingon conversation. We’re talking nouns, verbs, sentence arrangement – the whole fully developed concept! No wonder why total geeks like Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory actually know this language!
| English | Klingon |
|---|---|
| How are you? | bIpIv’a’? |
| Cheers! | ‘IwlIj jachjaj |
Elvish Languages From The Lord Of The Rings
Best Resource: A Gateway to Sindarin
No discussion of beloved fictional languages would be complete without a visit to Middle Earth’s lyrical Elvish tongues: Quenya and Sindarin! A linguist at heart, Tolkien drew heavily from Finnish, Old Norse, Welsh, and Irish influences to build the foundation of these two major languages.
Much like real-world tongues, Tolkien’s Elvish languages evolve in dialects like Doriathrin and Noldorin Sindarin, shifting based on region and migrations. This adds realism and intricacy for those aiming towards fluency.
| English | Elvish |
|---|---|
| What’s your name? | Man esselya ná? |
| Pleased to meet you. | Vandë omentaina. |
Na’vi Language From The Avatar
Best Resource: Learn Navi Org
Expanding beyond Cameron’s original 30-word lexicon, linguist Paul Frommer intentionally relied on sounds within the English language to simplify dialogue for Avatar actors using the Na’vi language. If you listen intently, the ingredients may be familiar, but the lyrical combination channels Polynesian and African linguistic flavors to reflect Pandora’s biodiversity. Much like Na’vi culture, their language exudes an intimate connection to nature.
You know the best part? From translating lyrics on the Avatar soundtrack to maintaining grammar resources on his blog, Frommer actively nurtures the growth of his Na’vi conlang invention to this day.
| English | Na’vi |
|---|---|
| Hello. | kaltxì |
| I love you. | nga yawne lu oer |
Old Valyrian Language From The Game Of Thrones
Best Resource: Duolingo
In typical linguist David Peterson fashion, he crafted lyrical Valyrian to echo this lost glory by blending Latin and Greek influences with totally invented vocabulary. The result is a soothing, almost musical fictional tongue reserved for aristocratic characters descended from Old Valyria bloodlines.
This language was meant to sound sophisticated, as this is the main language in Valyria. Much like the Roman Empire in our own history, Valyria was the center of culture, innovation, and conquest in Essos until its doom.
| English | Valyrian |
|---|---|
| I love you. | Avy jorrāelan. |
| I will take what is mine. | Ñuhor līr gūrēnna, |
Huttese Language From The Star Wars Universe
Best Resource: Wermos Guide
Traveling from the beautiful forests of Pandora over to a galaxy far, far away, we find the gurgling tones of Huttese – the fictional language of Star Wars gangsters and bounty hunters. Spoken predominantly by obese slug-like crime lord Jabba the Hutt, Huttese echoes the shadiness of the Star Wars underworld.
First uttered on-screen in Return of the Jedi by Jabba actor Larry Ward, sound designer legend Ben Burtt constructed Huttese using the exotic influences of Quechua, a real Incan language. The result? A pleasantly harsh and lyrical fictional tongue, perfect for sketchy business deals amidst clouds of hookah smoke.
| English | Huttese |
|---|---|
| What do you want? | Hi chuba da naga? |
| What took you so long? | Coona tee-tocky malia? |
Simlish Language From The Sims
Best Resource: Online Forums
Originally devised to avoid cumbersome video game dialogue translations, Simlish relied on voice actors improvising enthusiastic, if nonsensical, conversation. But over successive games, linguistic patterns emerge from the gibberish to suggest actually thoughtful interactions underneath the silly vocals.
According to linguists and geeks, it seems to feature a mix of Irish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, and Navajo words. While official dictionaries are limited to developers and voice actors, fans pick up vocabulary here and there to translate interactions based on gameplay context.
| English | Simlish |
|---|---|
| Hello | Sul Sul |
| I’m hungry | Oh feebee lay |
Atlantean Language From The Atlantis
Best Resource: Learning With Marc Okrand
With guidance from historical linguistic scholar Dr. Marc Okrand, Disney developed the unique composite tongue of Atlantean or Dig Adlantisag for true speakers! Blending influences from Proto-Indo-European, Biblical Hebrew, Latin, ancient Greek, and Chinese, Atlantean sounds surprisingly familiar yet utterly alien.
The intricately written script also adds to the linguistic mystery. Developed by artist John Emerson, the Atlantean alphabet draws inspiration from ancient Semitic writing systems. Stylized symbols flow in the boustrophedon style, alternating left to right and then right to left with each line.
| English | Atlantean |
|---|---|
| Hello. | SOO-puhk. |
| Good-bye. | GAH-moak. |
Ready To Learn A Conlang?
And that wraps up our whirlwind introductory tour of some of fiction’s funkiest and most revered constructed languages! But before you go and invest half of your life learning these languages, don’t forget that mastering real human languages can open up even more amazing opportunities.
Our advice?
Let fabulous apps like the Ling app guide you to fluency across very real languages. Imagine seamlessly chatting from English to Spanish to Mandarin using Ling’s highly intuitive lessons. Give it a try today!
