If you like words, then you can definatly help me out. I'm currently world building and need Japanese-ish sounding words for countires, cities, small towns, provinces etc. A generator or list or something would be great, but if not could you give me some that just come to mind? Note: So far I've been making up words (sort-of) since I don't want to trespass on someone's precious accuracy. Bonus: how about a name for a valuable silver-type metal?
Heya! A Japanese-ish language eh? Well Rache is quite correct. Writing your own language cannot only improve your imagination, but also adds uniqueness to your piece! I know the words you make ARE GREAT!
But there are still options, like what Rache posted. Anyways, on that metal thingy, Crusile? Zinconite? Silvium? Just suggestions!
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Do keep in mind all the linguistic rules you need to keep in place in order for the language to make sense. Tolkien's language worked because he was a linguist by trade.
You know you're a writer when you're not alarmed at hearing voices in your head, you can't read a book without analyzing it for plot & characters and you consider something you nearly killed yourself to write the most rewarding.
Yeah, I'd advise against attempting to make your own language completely. Doing that takes a Ph.D.'s worth of knowledge and several years--it took the guy who made the language for Avatar six years, for instance.
But that doesn't mean you can't come up with your own naming system or bits of language. More important is the culture, etc.
If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons. —James Thurber
Try taking a beginner Japanese class or borrowing a beginner Japanese audio book from your local library. Just keep in mind that all symbols except for a, i, u, e, o, and n/m start with a consonant. For example: watashi is wa ta shi. Googling Japanese will also help. Here's a table of the Japanese alphabet (hiragana and katakanal no kanji. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nihongo_ichiran_01-converted.svg The base sounds are: a - ah (like in car but longer and less rounded), i - ih (like in him), u - oo (like in you) e - eh (like in care but longer and less rounded), o -oh (like in hot). Also, n - nn (just a sound, no eh or anything added to it). Hope this helps!
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