Authors who know how languages work can invent them: Tolkien, obviously. Poul Anderson does a tiny bit of this:
"'Ah, aen litt. Gode!... Ik hait Boierik Wulfilasson ok main gefreond heer erran Boleslav Arkonsky.'" (p. 208)
Everard has never heard this language before but he understands it. So do we:
"Ah, a little. Good!... I am Boierik Wulfilasson and my friend here is Boleslov Arkonsky."
Of course, Everard does not know how to speak the language but, go-ahead guy that he is, he tries it anyway:
"'What the hell erran thu making, anyway?' he blustered. 'Ik bin aen man auf Sirius - the stern Sirius, mit planeten ok all. Set uns gebach or willen be der Teufel to pay!'" (ibid.)
Boierik looks pained and suggests the use of an interpreter.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
This part of "Delenda Est" is amusing! And I can't help but think that here Anderson was slipping in a bit of sly humor or comedy. Esp. the idea of a "blustering" Everard barreling ahead in a tough situation.
Ad astra! Sean
If a language is related to one you know, you can often pick up chunks of it from hearing it, or, more easily, reading it.
For example, I know French but not Catalan. But I can read simple sentences in Catalan without much trouble, and understand some spoken phrases.
I couldn't speak or write it to save my life.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
So you would have to bluster if you ever got stuck in a tight spot like that of Everard here!
Ad astra! Sean
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