Latterin

Latterin is a fictional language created by the American linguist and author David J. Peterson for use in the television series *Game of Thrones* and its literary adaptations. As the primary language of the Dothraki people, a nomadic warrior culture depicted in the series, Latterin serves as a key element in portraying their culture, history, and identity.

Peterson developed Latterin as a constructed language (conlang) with a rich phonetic system, drawing inspiration from Turkic languages, particularly those of Central Asia, as well as other linguistic influences. The language features a complex grammar, including agglutinative morphology, where affixes are added to roots to convey grammatical relationships. Its vocabulary reflects themes of war, honor, and the natural world, aligning with the Dothraki’s nomadic lifestyle.

Latterin’s script, known as the Dothraki alphabet, consists of 36 letters, including unique symbols representing sounds not found in English. The language’s pronunciation is distinct, with guttural consonants and melodic intonation patterns. Peterson also created a system of honorifics and formal speech registers to reflect social hierarchy within Dothraki society.

Beyond *Game of Thrones*, Latterin has gained attention from linguists and enthusiasts for its linguistic depth and cultural immersion. Peterson’s work has inspired further exploration of constructed languages, demonstrating how language can enhance storytelling by grounding fictional worlds in authenticity. While primarily used in the *Game of Thrones* universe, Latterin remains a notable example of conlang design in modern media.