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11 months ago in Linguistics By Deepa S

ConLang, Fictional Language, or Artificial Language‑ Picking the Right Term

 I'm writing a paper about languages invented for fantasy worlds (like Klingon or Dothraki). What's the most accurate academic term to use: fictional, fictitious, artificial, or constructed language?

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By Pooja Answered 3 months ago

The clearest and most accepted term in academia is "Constructed Language" (often shortened to ConLang). It's a neutral, descriptive term for a consciously invented linguistic system. "Artificial Language" is a broader synonym but can sound a bit clinical. "Fictional Language" is also fine and specifies its narrative context. Avoid "Fictitious Language"—it can imply something false or deceptive. For scholarly precision, go with "constructed language" or the phrase "fictional constructed language."

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