A Journey Through Languages: From Early Interest to Constructed Conlangs
Since childhood, my fascination with languages has been unwavering. From a young age, I aspired to learn every language in the world. As a child, my mother introduced me to the magic of different languages with the help of children's songs. By my teenage years, I began to explore language learning in earnest and even ventured into creating my own conlangs.
Early Language Learning Experiences
High school was a turning point for me in learning languages. It was required for my MSc degree, and I couldn't fit it into my academic schedule during my studies. My passion for reading pushed me towards learning German to read Winnetou. Simultaneously, I wanted to read Harry Potter in its original form, which I achieved. My desire to travel along the Trans-Siberian train led me to start learning Russian again.
After finishing school, I was unsure of my future. University seemed like a natural progression, even though I had not set specific plans. Delving into linguistics, I decided to study General and Typological Linguistics. This decision was influenced by my pre-existing interest in the subject, as I had already been reading linguistics on Wikipedia out of curiosity.
The introduction to my studies was not conventional, as it lacked a bachelor's/master’s degree system. After choosing Japanese Studies as one minor, I initially selected Indo-European Studies as the second. However, I changed it after two semesters to Finno-Ugric Studies, a specialization I found more appealing due to my strong liking for the Finnish language.
The Birth and Growth of Andrish
During my teenage years, my interest in creating my own language grew. At around age eight, I crafted a personal alphabet or secret script, heavily inspired by the Ogham script. My linguistic creativity flourished as I imagined stories and characters. One of the earliest stories I created involved three sister stick characters, and their adventures were often recorded in my notebook. While my drawings were not particularly artistic, the stories and mythology I created were rich and fascinating.
One of my notable universe-building projects was a sci-fi tale where I developed a mythology. In this story, I invented the gods and explored their relationships to influence the choice of two chosen heroes. To create a unique aspect, I decided to define the characters in their own intergalactic language. As a language learner, I chose English as a reference and created a few sample words for Andrish, a language I had just started developing.
Examples: Al shaki deaki fax Ghyla - The sacred beautiful son of Ghyla Al Terl-rhe shaki ka'ish rokau - The sacred brave warrior of Terl
I recall becoming engrossed in constructing Andrish, even if I did not have a strong theoretical base. Over the years, as I adapted my approach, my vocabulary grew from a few words to over a hundred. I continued refining and expanding my theoretical understanding of language structure, which enriched my knowledge and contributions to Andrish.
Despite my slow development and occasional lack of continuity, I have returned to the project many times, each time bringing new insights and ideas. Presently, Andrish is a living language that continues to evolve, reflecting my growing understanding of linguistics and language structure.
Conclusion
My journey through languages has been a blend of practical learning and creative expression. From reading classics to creating my own worlds and languages, each experience has been invaluable in shaping my approach to linguistics. This journey is a testament to the enduring fascination with languages and the infinite possibilities they offer.