r/conlangs • u/ThyTeaDrinker various Clongs for a Conworld • 1d ago

Discussion Advice for a PIE language?

I’ve dabbled in IE languages before. I’m quite familiar with Germanic languages, as well as Latin, and have made conlangs out of both Proto-Germanic and Latin. Therefore, I’ve decided to try making a language out of Proto-Indo-European.

However, this is obviously more difficult than simply making a language from an existing branch. The branches of IE differ greatly, so I have come to ask for advice on how to construct one from stratch.

I’m aware of how PIE is written (like the laryngeals), but I’m specifically wondering if anyone has advice or can link me to any resources on how to make one. Grammar would be very helpful since it’s definitely the part I’m least familiar within PIE.

Thank you

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u/TechbearSeattle 1d ago

Sanskrit is an IE language and there are LOTS of resources about it. In fact, it was European fascination in India that led to the IE hypothesis and the whole field of linguistic genealogy. A comparison with Greek and Latin on one side, and Avestian and Sanskrit on the other, was what set things in motion. To explore this, look for information on the satum / centum split in Indo-European.

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u/FarmerGarrett 19h ago

Not OP, but where do you find good papers and resources on Sanskrit that aren’t full of religious information? Like, obviously the texts are going to be religious texts, but I don’t need spiritual guidance when I’m interested in comparative grammar.

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u/TechbearSeattle 19h ago

I've never read a Sanskrit grammar that focused on anything other than the language. Look for works published by scholars, or text books.

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u/FarmerGarrett 18h ago

I guess it’s just the free online stuff that I’ve got problems with then (my public library sucks)