Book contents
- How to Create a Language
- Reviews
- How to Create a Language
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Brief Contents
- Detailed Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Part I Building Words
- 1 Natlangs
- 2 Conlangs
- 3 Sound Inventories
- 4 Phonotactics
- 5 Phonological Shifts
- 6 Basic Vocabulary
- Part II Constructing Grammar
- Part III Expanding Features
- Glossary
- References
- Index of Concepts
- Index of Languages
3 - Sound Inventories
from Part I - Building Words
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 October 2025
Book contents
- How to Create a Language
- Reviews
- How to Create a Language
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Brief Contents
- Detailed Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Part I Building Words
- 1 Natlangs
- 2 Conlangs
- 3 Sound Inventories
- 4 Phonotactics
- 5 Phonological Shifts
- 6 Basic Vocabulary
- Part II Constructing Grammar
- Part III Expanding Features
- Glossary
- References
- Index of Concepts
- Index of Languages
Summary
The focus of this chapter is on sounds. The chapter begins with an introduction to the International Phonetic Alphabet to show how you can represent sounds with written symbols. The discussion turns to phonetic features of sounds and how they are connected to physical features of human anatomy. The second section focuses on the production and features of consonant sounds while the third section explores vowels and their features. The final section discusses how to create a balanced sound inventory when selecting sounds for your language. By the end of this chapter, you will select the consonant and vowel sounds you want to incorporate in your conlang.
Information
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- How to Create a LanguageThe Conlang Guide, pp. 41 - 63Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2025
Accessibility standard: Inaccessible, or known limited accessibility
Why this information is here
This section outlines the accessibility features of this content - including support for screen readers, full keyboard navigation and high-contrast display options. This may not be relevant for you.Accessibility Information
The PDF of this book is known to have missing or limited accessibility features.
We may be reviewing its accessibility for future improvement, but final compliance is
not yet assured and may be subject to legal exceptions. If you have any questions,
please contact
accessibility@cambridge.org.
Content Navigation
Table of contents navigation
Allows you to navigate directly to chapters, sections, or non‐text items through a linked table of contents, reducing the need for extensive scrolling.
Allows you to navigate directly to chapters, sections, or non‐text items through a linked table of contents, reducing the need for extensive scrolling.
Index navigation
Provides an interactive index, letting you go straight to where a term or subject appears in the text without manual searching.
Provides an interactive index, letting you go straight to where a term or subject appears in the text without manual searching.
Reading Order & Textual Equivalents
Single logical reading order
You will encounter all content (including footnotes, captions, etc.) in a clear, sequential flow, making it easier to follow with assistive tools like screen readers.
You will encounter all content (including footnotes, captions, etc.) in a clear, sequential flow, making it easier to follow with assistive tools like screen readers.
Short alternative textual descriptions
You get concise descriptions (for images, charts, or media clips), ensuring you do not miss crucial information when visual or audio elements are not accessible.
You get concise descriptions (for images, charts, or media clips), ensuring you do not miss crucial information when visual or audio elements are not accessible.
Visual Accessibility
Use of colour is not sole means of conveying information
You will still understand key ideas or prompts without relying solely on colour, which is especially helpful if you have colour vision deficiencies.
You will still understand key ideas or prompts without relying solely on colour, which is especially helpful if you have colour vision deficiencies.
Structural and Technical Features
ARIA roles provided
You gain clarity from ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles and attributes, as they help assistive technologies interpret how each part of the content functions.
You gain clarity from ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles and attributes, as they help assistive technologies interpret how each part of the content functions.