<p>I cannot speak for any other language creator, but I have done so as part of "worldbuilding" - for an alien world to have alien languages adds verisimilitude, and even if the language isn't actually heavily used, knowing how the language works and having a partial vocabulary lets me insert words from that language where there is no exact translation in English, or where the English would be a long circumlocution. As an example, one language I worked up has a word that means, literally, "a change in lighting that reveals new detail", but whose use has been extended to the metaphorical equivalent - and in one discussion in the associated story, after one character explained something to another, the second thanked the first - "That was a very useful <em>kurìshdàm</em>; thank you."</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-25T18:26:31.223Z
See my revised question
Duncan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-25T17:26:01.097Z
2018-04-25T17:26:01.097Z
Jeff Zeitlin
<p>What are reasons to construct a language? Why do people construct languages? For example, auxlangs are created for global (or regional) 'compatibility'. Why do people construct artlangs, altlangs, englangs, auxlangs and philangs?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-25T17:19:56.940Z
This appears to be primarily opinion-based in its potential answers.
Jeff Zeitlin
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2018-04-25T17:23:13.583Z
What way? An auxlang is by definition auxiliary, an artlang is by definition for art, etc.
Duncan
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2018-04-25T17:23:56.250Z
It's not any more opinion based than many questions here
Duncan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-25T18:27:38.657Z
What do you mean by "certain types" of conlangs?
Jeff Zeitlin
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2018-04-25T18:34:37.100Z
As in the title, auxlang, artlang, altlang etc
Duncan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-26T02:19:46.077Z
@DuncanWhyte These are most excellent glossopoetry oriented questions, but it really isn't the question type that SE is designed to handle. Your question is opinion based because, basically, you're asking for individual opinions. (Why questions almost always invite opinionated answers.) Your question is too broad because there is nothing like a right answer or even any fewer than 6433 right answers! TBC...
elemtilas
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-04-26T02:20:28.567Z
@DuncanWhyte This is the kind of question we love to answer on broad scope language invention forums ([*CBB*](http://aveneca.com/cbb/); [*Conlang-L*](https://listserv.brown.edu/conlang.html); [*Reddit*](https://www.reddit.com/r/conlangs/) and the like.) This Stack Excahnge forum is for glossopoets to ask simple, to the point, questions about invented languages and receive to the point, factual and non-opinion based answers. [*Avoid subjective questions here!*](https://conlang.stackexchange.com/help/dont-ask)
elemtilas
<history><typology>
What are reasons to construct an auxlang, artlang, altlang, etc?
# What are reasons to construct an auxlang, artlang, altlang, etc?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-04-25)

What are reasons to construct a language? Why do people construct languages? For example, auxlangs are created for global (or regional) 'compatibility'. Why do people construct artlangs, altlangs, englangs, auxlangs and philangs?

**Tags:** history, typology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: This appears to be primarily opinion-based in its potential answers.  
> **username_0**: What way? An auxlang is by definition auxiliary, an artlang is by definition for art, etc.  
> **username_0**: It's not any more opinion based than many questions here  
> **username_1**: What do you mean by "certain types" of conlangs?  
> **username_0**: As in the title, auxlang, artlang, altlang etc  
> **username_2**: @DuncanWhyte These are most excellent glossopoetry oriented questions, but it really isn't the question type that SE is designed to handle. Your question is opinion based because, basically, you're asking for individual opinions. (Why questions almost always invite opinionated answers.) Your question is too broad because there is nothing like a right answer or even any fewer than 6433 right answers! TBC...  
> **username_2**: @DuncanWhyte This is the kind of question we love to answer on broad scope language invention forums ([*CBB*](http://aveneca.com/cbb/); [*Conlang-L*](https://listserv.brown.edu/conlang.html); [*Reddit*](https://www.reddit.com/r/conlangs/) and the like.) This Stack Excahnge forum is for glossopoets to ask simple, to the point, questions about invented languages and receive to the point, factual and non-opinion based answers. [*Avoid subjective questions here!*](https://conlang.stackexchange.com/help/dont-ask)  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-04-25. Score: 1

I cannot speak for any other language creator, but I have done so as part of "worldbuilding" - for an alien world to have alien languages adds verisimilitude, and even if the language isn't actually heavily used, knowing how the language works and having a partial vocabulary lets me insert words from that language where there is no exact translation in English, or where the English would be a long circumlocution. As an example, one language I worked up has a word that means, literally, "a change in lighting that reveals new detail", but whose use has been extended to the metaphorical equivalent - and in one discussion in the associated story, after one character explained something to another, the second thanked the first - "That was a very useful *kurìshdàm*; thank you."

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: See my revised question  

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