As stated in an earlier post, it seemed best to have Lenga be its own language. Of course, using this language is optional when playing the game. However, it does add a certain element if it is done correctly.
The first thing that was easy to decide was that Lenga would not be Latin. It also wouldn’t be English backwards. And yes, it most certainly will not be Latin backwards or even Pig Latin backwards (Aithsi Aisi A Aisecnetne Aini Aipgi Ailnita Absdrawkca.) More than that, Lenga shouldn’t be related to Latin. Looking around for non Romance languages, I decided to use three Bantu languages as a base.
Creating a language is hard work. There are many conlangers that have more skill and expertise than me. Fortunately, Lenga is a specialized language used only in specific circumstances. That allowed me to use very simple grammar rules to create it. The goal is for it to be fun – it is less important to make it sound like an authentic human langauge. In essence, I looked up the word in three different languages and chose the one I like the best. Then I play around with the word by changing a consonant or vowel or adding or removing a syllable.
The rules of grammar are similar to Ido, so learning it is straightforward – all nouns end in e, verbs have three tenses, etc.The other advantage is that once I spend the time to create a basic vocabulary, using the language in writing or in the game is not so difficult. Again, this is meant to enhance the game, not an effort to create the next Klingon langugage.
The end result is that some flavor is added in describing magic and spells. In English, the process of casting a spell is invoking the power source, concentrating on the spell, making the appropriate gestures and saying the right words. However, in Lenga, the same process is La Kela, La Enkeza, La Kunyiza, eyoda La Simena. (Eyoda is the Lenga word that means ‘and’. The last step is called La Simena, the speaking of magic words.)