L is for LANGUAGE

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I was about five years old when my Grandpa taught me how to speak Pig Latin. You know, the LANGUAGE where you take the first letter off a word, stick it on the end, and then add on the letters “ay” — so, for example, “hand” becomes “andhay.”

By the time I was ten, I’d become so fluent in Pig Latin, Grandpa could hardly keep up. I taught a couple of my friends, and now my little sister, Amelia, is catching on too. (Which means it’s harder to keep things “secret” from her.)

I’m not sure who made up Pig Latin, but it’s not the only “made up” language used by authors. J.R.R. Tolkien, for example, created his own language for the Lord of the Rings series, and of course there’s “Vulcan” in Star Trek, and so on. Made up languages are more common in science fiction or fantasy books, I guess, but it sure sounds like fun. Language — made up or otherwise — is an important part of writing.

Right now, I’m writing a short story that has a few “fantasy” elements. I think I’m going to try my hand at creating my own language. Maybe it will catch on like Pig Latin!

Ottagay etjay!

— Chase Superman Duffy