Podcasts > Tosh Show > My Fictional Language Creator - David Peterson

My Fictional Language Creator - David Peterson

By iHeartPodcasts and Daniel Tosh

In this episode of the Tosh Show podcast, David Peterson, a linguist who creates fictional languages (conlangs) for TV shows and movies, shares insights into his career. He reveals his approach to crafting culturally diverse languages and how dedicated fans meticulously analyze the nuances of his work.

Peterson also discusses the various factors influencing the development process of conlangs, ranging from short fiction projects to complex fictional worlds. Additionally, he touches on shared interests like board games and the movie "Elemental" with the host, Daniel Tosh, offering a glimpse into their rapport.

Listen to the original

My Fictional Language Creator - David Peterson

This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Mar 5, 2024 episode of the Tosh Show

Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.

My Fictional Language Creator - David Peterson

1-Page Summary

Peterson's Background and Career

David Peterson, who studied linguistics at Berkeley, began creating his own languages in college, blending elements from languages like Arabic. He has crafted languages for TV shows and films like "Game of Thrones" and "Dune," though he hasn't always watched the productions he's worked on.

According to Peterson, he strives to create culturally diverse languages to counteract tendencies in media that could be considered racially insensitive. He also met his fiancé Jesse, a professor of linguistics and fellow conlang creator, through the language creation community.

Creating New Languages

While the concept of a new language can theoretically be created instantaneously, Peterson explains that the actual development process involving grammar rules, vocabulary, and pronunciation guides can take a considerable amount of time. The rates and timeframes vary widely depending on the project's scope and purpose, from a few days for a short story to months or years for complex fictional worlds.

Reception and Use of Peterson's Languages

Peterson reveals that some dedicated fans thoroughly examine the use of his constructed languages (conlangs) in media. He recounts instances where fans spotted inconsistencies between spoken lines and subtitles, demonstrating their keen attention to detail.

However, Peterson expresses disappointment that some actors don't take his language recordings seriously, leading to discrepancies between the intended conlang and the spoken lines on screen. This reflects Hollywood's often lax attitude towards employing properly constructed languages over gibberish.

Shared Interests with Daniel Tosh

Both Peterson and Daniel Tosh share a fondness for board games, particularly simpler and more stimulating ones like "Sorry" and "Quarto," while disliking more complex games like "Ticket to Ride." Tosh recommends the quick card game "Monopoly Deal" to Peterson.

Additionally, they bonded over the shared experience of seeing the movie "Elemental" with their sons, which holds a special significance for Tosh as it was his son's first theater experience. Peterson's fiancé was involved in the production of "Elemental."

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • A conlang is a constructed language created for a specific purpose, such as for use in literature, movies, or cultural exchange. These languages are intentionally designed by individuals rather than evolving naturally over time like natural languages. Conlangs can have their own grammar rules, vocabulary, and pronunciation guides, making them unique and distinct from natural languages. David Peterson is a well-known conlanger who has created languages for popular TV shows and films.
  • "Gibberish" in this context refers to nonsensical or meaningless speech. It can be used to describe language that lacks coherence or substance. In the context of the text, it highlights a discrepancy between the intended constructed language and how it is spoken on screen. This term is often used to criticize speech that is difficult to understand or lacks clarity.
  • "Sorry," "Quarto," and "Ticket to Ride" are popular board games. "Sorry" is a classic board game involving moving pieces around a board to reach a goal. "Quarto" is a strategy game where players choose pieces to win based on specific criteria. "Ticket to Ride" is a railway-themed board game where players collect train cards to claim railway routes and connect cities.
  • Monopoly Deal is a card game based on the popular board game Monopoly. Players aim to collect sets of property cards through various actions like playing, stealing, or swapping cards. The game is known for its quick gameplay and strategic interactions, offering a different experience from the traditional Monopoly board game.
  • The movie "Elemental" is a 2023 American animated romantic comedy-drama film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios. It follows the story of fire element Ember Lumen and water element Wade Ripple as they navigate life in a city while trying to save a convenience store. The film explores themes of connection between opposites and draws inspiration from romantic films and the cultural diversity of New York City in the 1970s. The production of "Elemental" involved extensive research, animation design, and a significant budget over seven years.

Counterarguments

  • While Peterson's efforts to create culturally diverse languages are commendable, it could be argued that the true depth of a culture's language cannot be fully replicated or honored in a fictional setting.
  • The assertion that Peterson's languages are always a counter to racially insensitive tendencies in media might be challenged by pointing out that the effectiveness of this counteraction depends on the context and execution within the narrative.
  • The creation of a new language, even with extensive grammar rules and vocabulary, might not necessarily lead to widespread understanding or use, limiting its impact outside of the media for which it was created.
  • The criticism of actors not taking language recordings seriously could be met with the counterargument that actors may face time constraints or may not be given sufficient resources to master a constructed language.
  • The idea that Hollywood has a lax attitude towards employing properly constructed languages might be countered by noting instances where significant effort and resources have been invested in developing and using constructed languages effectively in media.
  • The preference for simpler board games like "Sorry" and "Quarto" over more complex games like "Ticket to Ride" is subjective and could be challenged by those who prefer the strategic depth offered by more complex board games.
  • The shared experience of watching "Elemental" with their sons and the significance it holds for Tosh might not resonate with everyone, as personal experiences and emotional connections to films are highly individual.
  • The involvement of Peterson's fiancé in the production of "Elemental" does not necessarily contribute to the quality or success of the film, and its mention might be seen as unrelated to the main focus on Peterson's career and interests.

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
My Fictional Language Creator - David Peterson

Peterson's Background and Career

Studied linguistics and began creating languages in college

David Peterson began his language creation journey during his second year at Berkeley, where he was initially studying Arabic and Russian. The early course scheduling led him to switch to studying linguistics, which he found fascinating due to its focus on the scientific patterns behind all languages. He found himself missing the study of individual languages, which sparked his interest in creating his own, blending elements from languages he admired, especially Arabic.

Works creating languages for TV shows, movies, etc. but doesn't always watch them

Peterson has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry by crafting languages for notable projects like "Game of Thrones," "Dune," and many others. Despite his extensive work, he surprisingly admits he has not seen every production he's worked for. From the array of projects, Peterson noted that he would have naturally gravitated towards watching the Marvel movies and Pixar's "Elemental."

Furthermore, Peterson has had to navigate cultural sensitivities in his work. He acknowledges encountering tendencies in media projects that could be considered racially insensitive, and he strives to counteract this by creating languages that reflect a more realistic and respectful cultural diversity.

Met fiancé Jesse, also a conlang creator, through language creation community

David Peterson's pers ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Peterson's Background and Career

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • A conlang is a constructed language created by individuals rather than having evolved naturally over time. Conlangs are often designed for artistic, fictional, or experimental purposes. They can vary in complexity and may include unique grammar rules, vocabulary, and phonetics. Conlang creators, known as conlangers, develop these languages for various reasons, such as enhancing storytelling in movies, TV shows, or books.
  • The Language Creation Society is an organization that supports and promotes the art and craft of constructed languages (conlangs). It was founded to provide a platform for language creators to share their work, collaborate, and advance the field of constructed languages. The society aims to foster a community where conlang enthusiasts can exchange ideas, resources, and experiences related to language creation. David Peterson played a role in establishing this society to provide opportunities and recognition for individuals passionate about constructing languages.
  • David Peterson worked diligently to set up the Language Creation Society, an organization aimed at providing support and opportunities for individuals who create la ...

Counterarguments

...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
My Fictional Language Creator - David Peterson

The Process and Time it Takes to Create Languages

Creating a new language is a complex process that can be theoretically conceived instantaneously. However, the time it takes to fully record and develop that language can vary significantly.

Can theoretically create instantly, but takes time to record and develop

While it's possible for a language to be conceptually created in a moment, the actual development of the language is quite involved. This development includes creating grammar rules, vocabulary lists, pronunciation guides, and potentially a writing system. Recording these details and making sure the language is usable and learnable can take a considerable amount of time and effort.

Rates and time required vary widely depending on project

The rates and time required to develop a new language can differ dramatically based on the scope and purpose of the project. A simple constructed language for a short story may take only a few days to develop b ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

The Process and Time it Takes to Create Languages

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • A constructed language, also known as a conlang, is a language intentionally created by individuals rather than evolving naturally. Conlangs can serve various purposes, such as enhancing fictional worlds, aiding communication, or exploring linguistic and cognitive concepts. They are consciously designed with specific phonetic, grammatical, and vocabulary rules. Constructed languages can be developed for artistic, scientific, or entertainment reasons, like in literature, movies, or games.
  • World-building elements encompass the creation of a detailed and coherent imaginary world, including aspects like history, geography, culture, and ecology. This process is crucial for constructing settings in genres like science fiction and fantasy. It involves developing not just the physical aspects of the world but also its inhabitants, technology, social customs, and even invented languages. World-building can range from a small village to vast interstellar civilizations, and it is commonly seen in novels, tabletop games, films, and other forms of media.
  • A "rich cultural backdrop" in the context of creating a language typically means that the language is designed to reflec ...

Counterarguments

  • While a language can be conceived instantaneously in theory, the practicality of such a conception without any time for development is questionable, as even the most basic framework of a language requires some level of contemplation and decision-making.
  • The text implies that recording and ensuring usability and learnability are time-consuming, but it does not address the potential for modern technology to streamline these processes, such as language generation software and collaborative platforms that could accelerate development.
  • The assertion that rates and time required vary widely is true, but it could be argued that with sufficient resources and a team of linguists, the time to develop a language could be significantly reduced, even for complex projects.
  • The idea that a simple constructed language for a short story may take only a few days to develop might overlook the depth and detail some authors may wish to achieve, even for short narratives.
  • The text suggests that a complex language requires months or years of consistent work, but it does not consider the possibility of existing constructed languages being adapted to new contexts ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
My Fictional Language Creator - David Peterson

Reception of Peterson's Languages

David Peterson's constructed languages (conlangs) have amassed a dedicated fanbase, some of whom have taken an active role in examining the use of his languages in popular media, while some Hollywood professionals maintain a lax attitude towards them.

Some fans debunk perceived errors in his conlangs

Peterson experiences firsthand how deeply the fans delve into his constructed languages when they spot inconsistencies. He recounts how fans notice when the same phrase appears in "Star Wars" but signifies different meanings according to the subtitles, which they perceive as a mistake. Furthermore, Peterson shares another instance from "Game of Thrones" where a fan caught an error during the live airing. In a scene where a character inquires about the dragons' diet, the Dothraki reply voiced by the actor did not match the subtitled translation. This discrepancy arose because the post-production team altered the subtitles to indicate the dragons were consuming larger amounts of livestock than Peterson's original translation without consulting him to adjust the Dothraki dialogue accordingly.

Some actors don't take his recordings seriously when speaking the languages

Peterson reveals his disappoint ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Reception of Peterson's Languages

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • David Peterson is a renowned linguist and language creator known for developing constructed languages (conlangs) for popular TV shows and movies like "Game of Thrones" and "Star Wars." He is highly respected in the conlang community for his intricate and detailed linguistic creations. Peterson's work involves crafting languages with unique grammar, vocabulary, and phonetics to bring authenticity and depth to fictional worlds. His involvement in creating languages for mainstream media has brought attention to the art and science of conlanging.
  • In the context of constructed languages in popular media, discrepancies between actor dialogue and subtitles can disrupt the linguistic consistency intended by the language creator. ...

Counterarguments

  • Fans' dedication to accuracy can be seen as a testament to the depth and appeal of Peterson's conlangs, rather than just a focus on debunking errors.
  • The perceived lax attitude of Hollywood professionals towards conlangs could be due to the constraints of production timelines and budgets, rather than a lack of respect for the craft of language creation.
  • Actors may face chal ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free
My Fictional Language Creator - David Peterson

Peterson and Tosh's Shared Interests

Daniel Tosh and David Peterson have a number of common interests, from their tastes in board games to their experiences with their sons at the movies.

Both dislike certain complex board games but enjoy simpler ones

David Peterson and Daniel Tosh agree that they both enjoy board games, though with a preference for smarter and simpler games over complex ones. Tosh specifically admires "Sorry" for its simplicity but criticizes "Ticket to Ride" for what he perceives as low-quality game components. He also enjoys "Quarto" for its beautiful board and how it stimulates the mind.

Peterson echoes Tosh's sentiments, sharing a dislike for "Ticket to Ride." Tosh recommends "Monopoly Deal" to Peterson — a card game version of Monopoly which offers quick 10 to 15 minute rounds, describing it as amazing. Additionally, they discuss "Rummy Cub," with Tosh inquiring about its rules and the correct pronunciation.

Bonded over seeing the movie Elemental with ...

Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary

Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
Start your free trial today

Peterson and Tosh's Shared Interests

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • "Sorry" is a classic board game where players move their pieces around the board to reach home. "Ticket to Ride" is a railway-themed board game where players collect train cards to claim railway routes. "Quarto" is a strategy board game where players aim to create a line with four pieces sharing a common characteristic. "Monopoly Deal" is a card game spinoff of th ...

Counterarguments

  • While Peterson and Tosh prefer simpler board games, some might argue that complex board games offer deeper strategic experiences and longer-lasting appeal to certain players.
  • Tosh's criticism of "Ticket to Ride" for its components may not be shared by all; many players find the quality of the game's components to be satisfactory and the gameplay engaging.
  • The recommendation of "Monopoly Deal" as an amazing game could be contested, as some board game enthusiasts consider it to be too reliant on luck and not as strategic as other card games.
  • The discussion about "Rummy Cub" might overlook the fact that there are many variations of the game, which could lead to diff ...

Get access to the context and additional materials

So you can understand the full picture and form your own opinion.
Get access for free

Create Summaries for anything on the web

Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser

Shortform Extension CTA