Would you consider yourself a “language fangirl” (or boy)? Maybe not. But Christine Schreyer certainly is and she’s so proud of it, she just did a TEDx Talk about it, not only touching on what it means to be a fan (of words, of anything!), but also the importance of her specific fandom: the fandom of languages created and to be created.
If you’re not familiar with Schreyer by name, you may be familiar with her work. The anthropology professor (UBC Okanagan) is actually the creator of the Kryptonian language used in Man of Steel. She’s also done a ton of research on Avatar’s Na’vi language and the fans who have adopted it.
Schreyer’s TEDxTalk is a definite treat for anyone who is interested in learning about new languages, whether real or fictional, as she provides a ton of shocking facts about the disintegration of language due to lack of use over time. And those who might not identify as a “language fan” will enjoy her insights from her Na’vi research, plus her positive outlook on the development of new fandoms and the effect they can have on the preservation and creation of language, as well as learning.
Oh, and according to Schreyer, creating gifs, fanfiction and other fan art is a great tool for memory, so keep at it!
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