last updated 9 May 2010
This page describes a set of scripts for generating various aspects of a conlang.
morphology.pl, by Alex Fink, generates systems of morphological contrasts: case systems, TAM systems, and all that. The included DOT data files in the directory noun/ describe a number of common systems of contrasts for nouns (verbs and perhaps other classes are coming, eventually). Each contrast is a single hypothetical morphological slot; it is output as a list of values grouped into several lines, where each line is a single form and the elements of that line are its functions. For example, a case contrast starting
intransitive_subject agent experiencer [...]describes a nominative-accusative case system.
focus patient [...]
[possibly more lines here]
Invoking morphology.pl with a directory argument as in
perl morphology.pl noungenerates a series of contrasts choosing among all categories in that directory. Invoking it with a list of filenames,
perl morphology.pl noun/case.dot noun/number.dotgenerates a single contrast fusionally expressing all the named categories.
To steal Jim Henry's description: boris.pl, originally by John Fisher and much modified by [Jim Henry], generates random words given a phonology input file, or random sentences given a grammar input file; but it can also generate format files for itself; see metaphonology.boris and testmeta.sh for examples.
gleb.pl (current version 0.2.1), by Alex Fink, generates phonologies and random forms following them. You can try it online. The current version handles a limited amount of allophony; it doesn't yet know about syllables or tone or sundry other things. Refer to the command-line usage for more.
boris and gleb can't talk to each other right now.