What do Game of Thrones' Dothraki, Avatar's Na'vi, Star Trek's Klingon and LOTR's Elvish have in common? They are all fantasy constructed languages, or conlangs. Conlangs have all the delicious complexities of real languages: a high volume of words, grammar rules, and room for messiness and evolution. John McWhorter explains why these invented languages captivate fans long past the rolling credits. [Directed by Joyce Stenneke, narrated by John McWhorter]. 

John McWhorter: Are Elvish, Klingon, Dothraki and Na'vi real languages?

Are Elvish, Klingon, Dothraki and Na'vi real languages?

Language evolution mirrors societal change; Tolkien's Elvish morphed as it spread, echoing how Latin diversified into Romance languages.

Constructed languages like Dothraki, Na'vi, and Klingon transcend fiction, offering rich linguistic frameworks you can actually speak.

Elvish, a hobby for Tolkien, evolved through fan contributions into a fuller language, illustrating the collaborative nature of language.