Mod Post! An update and two important questions

[ailelie]

As you have likely noticed, I am not the most consistent of mods. However, I have not forgotten this community. I have a small activity planned for April to cap off the long conlanging challenge from February and March, and some big plans for the summer. So far, since starting this community, we have been focusing on the world itself, though language did tip us a bit toward society-building. We’ve yet to discuss food, clothing, housing, and institutions. We will start focusing that direction in June, after laying some groundwork in May.

The Questions

What are some topics you'd like covered in the coming months?

Also, just so I can get an idea of how to focus my research and link listings each month, what types of worlds and societies are you all interested in? Do you want to see more with a fantasy and/or medieval bent, or more sci-fi? Or, are you creating modern alternative worlds or are you delving in some historical model beyond medieval Europe? While a lot of topics are shared across all settings, each setting does have some unique considerations. 

Comment here, or email tisforlily via gmail.

April Challenge

[ailelie]

I know-- an April challenge now? When the month is so nearly over? Yeah...

Alright, two things:

(1) for the past two months we have been working on creating a language; and
(2) April is poetry month.

The challenge is, using your world and/or language, create poetry. Not the poetic kind? No matter, there are options.

Choose one of the following:
(1) Write a poem in your conlang.
(2) Write a poem in your native language that is translated from a language within your world.
(2a) Include translator's notes.
(3) Translate a poem from an Earth language into your conlang.
(4) Write up a short paragraph discussing the difficulties of translating an Earth poem into a language from your world.

And, if you really, really don't want anything to do with poetry:
(5) Write 3-5 idioms used somewhere on your world. These can be translated into an Earth language, in your conlang, or both.

The reasoning behind this activity is not only to get a better grasp of your conlang, but to get an idea of how your world sounds, even if you didn't create a conlang. Also, the way we translate idioms, wordplay, and so forth can say a lot about our culture and circumstances. The Japanese proverb Even monkeys fall from trees would likely never generate in the States due its distinct lack of monkeys, other than in zoos, circuses, and so forth. While the proverb can be translated into English, the meaning may not be immediately apparent. Symbols also differ. In one culture a lake may represent peace, beauty, and life, while in another it signifies hidden depths and danger.

As we develop societies, I'll try to remember to return to language periodically, and ask how do people swear? make promises? describe the sunrise? and so forth, but, for now, poetry.

(And, yes, I will be posting a resource list concerning poetic forms and translation. My procrastinating on that is why this challenge is being posted so late. Sorry!)