UBC hosts conlanging documentary and panel discussion

A language creator writes their own language.

A language creator writes their own language.

Creators of Na’vi and Klingon explain the art of constructed languages  

What: An evening of conlanging; meet the experts
Who: UBC Language Sciences Initiative and three language creators
When: Tuesday, October 30 at 7 p.m.
Where: Mary Irwin Theatre, 421 Cawston Avenue, Kelowna

The art of creating languages, yes it is a thing, will be explained at a special event in Kelowna next week.

“People invent languages for so many reasons and it really is an artistic practice,” says UBC Okanagan’s Christine Schreyer, an associate professor in anthropology.

Creating languages is called conlanging, explains Schreyer, who teaches in the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences. Schreyer is part of UBC’s Language Sciences Initiative and on October 30, the group is hosting a screening of the documentary film Conlanging: The Art of Crafting Tongues. 

After the film, Schreyer and two fellow specialists in constructed languages will talk about their work during a panel discussion.

Panelists include:

  • Christine Schreyer, language creator for Man of Steel and Alpha
  • David Peterson, language creator for HBO’s Game of Thrones and others
  • Marc Okrand, language creator of Klingon for the Star Trek series

The free screening of Conlanging: The Art of Crafting Tongues is open to the public and takes place October 30 at 7 p.m. at the Mary Irwin Theatre in downtown Kelowna. Registration is required: conlangingkelowna_langscifilmseries.eventbrite.ca

About UBC’s Okanagan campus

UBC’s Okanagan campus is an innovative hub for research and learning in the heart of British Columbia’s stunning Okanagan Valley. Ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world, UBC is home to bold thinking and discoveries that make a difference. Established in 2005, the Okanagan campus combines a globally recognized UBC education with a tight-knit and entrepreneurial community that welcomes students and faculty from around the world. For more visit ok.ubc.ca.