#flower conlang

[scriptflorist]

Do you have any suggestions on constructing a fictional flower language? for fictional flowers, in my case

Hey there,

We’re no conlang experts, but flower languages thankfully don’t have to adhere fancy made-up grammar rules so I reckon we can be of help here.

Generally flower meanings have been decided by various easy to follow means: colour, appearance, behaviour and associations to legends, myths and fables. Sometimes they were decided simply because… someone liked it that way. Cultural customs and influences work too. Which is why they often have more than one and sometimes even change connotations. So, if you want to make your very own flower language to fit your story you could very well borrow from that formula, existing meanings and decide whatever you fancy for the rest. Or you could simply make up your own way with how people came up with the meanings. It’s supposed to fit your story after all.

If you are looking to build a conlang that’s more than just a new, wonderful dictionary of flower meanings but an actual language that can be used as such in your story, there’s a whole community of people here on tumblr who have subscribed themselves to inventing their own languages. Because in that case an enthusiast of the subject or someone who has studied language would be better qualified to help you here.

– Mod Jana

Disclaimer

This blog is intended as writing advice only. This blog and its mods are not responsible for accidents, injuries or other consequences of using this advice for real world situations or in any way that said advice was not intended.

[scriptflorist]

Any tips on how to create a whole flower language? My story is set on other planets with all new living things.

Hello Nonny,

Plants have generally gained their meanings through appearance, behaviour, colour, associations through myths, legends and fables and sometimes they were simply made up to suit the occasion or because someone had a different opinion. Colours are often attributed meanings themselves which can in turn influence the meaning of the thing which carries the colour. Cultural customs also have often influenced a flowers meaning. In short, there are a lot of things which have given them their meanings, some of them traditional, others well thought out and others simply situational. Your flower language can include these ideas wholly, partially, minimally or not at all, the specifics are up to you.

What you are trying to create goes generally by the term “constructed language” or short “conlang”, which as a whole is outside our scope, but there is a whole community of blogs and people on Tumblr about it and I would like to kindly refer you over to them. So please refer to the conlang community about how to construct a language of your own.

If you are interested in resources for flower languages, look no further, I’ve recently compiled a post about it.

- Mod Jana

Disclaimer

This blog is intended as writing advice only. This blog and its mods are not responsible for accidents, injuries or other consequences of using this advice for real world situations or in any way that said advice was not intended.

[scriptflorist]

jeneelestrange replied to your post “Any tips on how to create a whole flower language? My story is set on...”

Also, how familiar a person is w the plant or their culture will color how they see those characteristics. Victorian flower language see cypress as a foreboding thing because they grow in swamps,and that is creepy to most British people. I live in Louisiana where they are EVERYWHERE though, and mostly I associate them with a sense of eternity or immortality because we all know they are the most resistant to rot. Cypress wood is expensive and sought after for a reason.

You’re absolutely right, personal associations can also play a role in how a plant is seen and interpreted. Thanks for the addition!

- Mod Jana

Disclaimer

This blog is intended as writing advice only. This blog and its mods are not responsible for accidents, injuries or other consequences of using this advice for real world situations or in any way that said advice was not intended.