logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2023
35m 36s

The Creation of the Klingon Language | U...

STAR TREK
About this episode
Where do fictional languages come from? How are they devised? Hear from the creator of the Klingon language, Marc Okrand, on his process of designing the famous conlang (constructed language) and his first few Star Trek gigs. You'd be surprised by the amount of vocabulary, syntax, and grammar that go into inventing the conlang. Host David Pogue also intervie ... Show More
Up next
Jul 2023
From Fan to Science Fiction Consultant with Erin Macdonald
Ever wondered how warping would work in real life? Astrophysicist Dr. Erin Macdonald knows. Erin takes the inner workings of science and makes them possible in the science fiction universe we love on Star Trek. She also highlights one of her favorite Star Trek: Deep Space Nine ep ... Show More
1h 12m
Jun 2023
John Hodgman’s Favorite Episode of The Next Generation
Author and actor John Hodgman is throwing it back with Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: The Original Series. He and our hosts analyze how these shows have impacted their views on interpersonal relationships and John dives into one of his favorite Next Generation epis ... Show More
1h 11m
Jun 2023
Sir Patrick Stewart (Extended Cut) | The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
Sir Patrick Stewart makes a special appearance on The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert. Following Colbert's commentary, he and Stewart discuss the final season of Star Trek: Picard. Stewart also shares tidbits about himself including how he stays so young, his role as King ... Show More
25m 40s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2020
Ep101 - David Peterson | Create a Language in Just One Hour
<p>David J. Peterson is a linguist, Hollywood consultant, and professional fictional language creator, or "conlanger". He has worked on shows such as Game of Thrones, The 100, Defiance, and The Witcher where he has developed many languages, including Dothraki, High Valyrian, Irat ... Show More
58m 58s
Jan 2022
How the Alien Languages in “Foundation” Were Created
This week, host Isaac Butler talks to Fionnuala Murphy, an actor and linguist who invented multiple alien languages for Apple TV Plus’s series Foundation. In the interview, Fionnuala explains how she landed the job, which was her first ever foray into language creation. Then she ... Show More
50m 36s
Oct 2019
Why language is humanity’s greatest invention | David Peterson
Civilization rests upon the existence of language, says language creator David Peterson. In a talk that’s equal parts passionate and hilarious, he shows how studying, preserving and inventing new languages helps us understand our collective humanity -- and gives a quick lesson on ... Show More
14m 21s
Dec 2020
Electric Bookaloo: Jon I
Linguist David Peterson, the inventor of Dothraki and High Valyrian, is featured this week (just an excerpt from a longer interview). Before that, Stephanie Barbé Hammer talks (ch.5) Jon I and Steve Ausburne talks about episode 5. After talking with David Peterson, Anthony delves ... Show More
1h 25m
Dec 2021
Why language is humanity's greatest invention
Game of Thrones’ language creator David Peterson shows how studying, preserving and inventing new languages helps us understand our collective humanity -- and gives a quick lesson on High Valyrian. This talk was filmed at TEDxBerkeley. All TEDx events are organized independently ... Show More
8m 32s
Feb 2021
Electric Bookaloo: Tyrion II
A.Ron admires Pedro Pascal's versatility. Language creator David Peterson (inventor of Dothraki, Valyrian, etc) covers Tyrion's second POV chapter and gives a proper etymology of the name "Vhagar." Steve is vexed by Mel's "smoke babies" and Anthony interviews Professor Chris Keit ... Show More
1h 7m
Apr 2022
Danslang
The kids at Newlin High have invented their own complex and growing language. Can a visiting linguist study and preserve it before the principal wipes it out for good? Written by Hunter Nelson Performed by Will Hines, Connor Ratliff, Alise Morales, John Trowbridge, Hunter Nel ... Show More
33m 44s
Dec 2022
Congrats! It’s a Language.” (Language Lifecycle Part 1: Birth)
Constructed Languages and New Languages In the first of our two part series on the life cycle of languages, we address how language is born. We’ll dive into the creation of constructed languages – languages made for film or TV (or even just for fun) – and natural languages, and h ... Show More
29m 56s
Mar 2022
Bonus Bookaloo: House of the Dragon and More
High Valyrian inventor David Peterson (linguist) gives his early impressions of House of the Dragon dialogue and gets into the grammatical weeds with Anthony. Steve talks at length about "The Book of the Stranger" (ep. 604). Then Chad and Anthony debate the redemptive elements of ... Show More
1h 2m