Ancient Language

The Ancient Language (AL) is the most developed conlang created by Christopher Paolini for his fantasy world Alagaësia, where the Inheritance Trilogy takes place.

Paolini began devising the AL sometime in 1999 and continues to refine it.

INTERNAL HISTORY: (The AL in Alagaësia and the Inheritance Trilogy)

EXTERNAL HISTORY: (The AL in Real Life)

The Ancient Language is classified as a professional fictional language in the Langmaker.com conlang directory; although throughout the years many conlangers have suggested it to be included as an a posteriori language or a Euroclone.

Christopher Paolini has stated numerous times that his main model for the AL was Old Norse. Similarities between the AL and Old Norse have been noted, as well as apparent borrowings from other languages including (but not limited to) Latin, Nihongo, Hebrew and Quenya.

Despite the name Ancient Language, heavy borrowing from existing natlangs and similarities to Paolini’s native English mark the AL as a conlang in its early stages of development. Further development of the language will no doubt be brought to light as Paolini continues with the Inheritance trilogy.

The Structure of the Ancient Language.

Phonology